Owner Operator
Sexologist/Counsellor:
Tanya Koens

Working as a clinical Counsellor and Sex Therapist, Tanya finds it easy to build rapport and open, straightforward communication with people. She appreciates the everyday frustrations encountered by people – both in their work and personal lives.  She is warm, empathic and non-judgemental and provides a safe place for people to explore their sexuality, feelings and inner worlds.

Specialising in conscious relating with self and authentic relationship and sex therapy, Tanya’s style of counselling is person centered. She draws on different methodologies to help you explore your present situation and work on understanding yourself better in order to make positive changes in your life. She is easy to talk to and can help you understand the dynamics of your family of origin and relationship patterns that may impact different areas of your life. She will work closely with you to address any energies and emotions raised.

Sensitive to the difficult nature of sexual health, Tanya provides a safe, confidential space for issues of this nature to be discussed and addressed.

Tanya supervises many Counsellors and Psychologists and speaks at industry conferences and events.  She has a passion for authentic relating, conscious sex and helping people create

Tanya has led community groups, volunteered for different organisations and is a social mentor to people of all ages. She is also a passionate presenter on sex and sexuality.

Methods

ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) – a combination of mindfulness, CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) and learning how to be present and tune into to thoughts and feelings.

Mindfulness – helping you focus on the present (the here and now) to achieve self awareness and positive life and sexual experiences.

Gestalt – to help people experience emotions rather than just talk about them.

Existentialism – each person is unique, makes their own choices and shapes their own life.

Phenomenology – what is happening in the here and now.

Transactional Analysis – looking at parent, adult, child relationships within ourselves.

Social Constructivism – what do you give meaning and power to?

Solution Focused – let’s help you work out a plan.

Mindfulness – helping you focus on the present (the here and now) to achieve self awareness and positive life and sexual experiences.

Sexual Personality Types – working with people’s to help them better understand their sexuality and the meanings, beliefs and thoughts they attribute to sex. 

For more information about Tanya and her working style click here: http://www.goodtherapy.com.au/tanya_koens

Employment

Tanya has worked as a crisis telephone counsellor for a NSW Rape Crisis Centre and also been a telephone counsellor for Impotence Australia helping men with sexual health problems.

Tanya has worked for Relationships Australia and currently runs her own busy practice in Surry Hills.  

She lectures and presents to health professionals on how to talk about sex with their patients and delivers workshops on positive sexuality, conscious relating, desire discrepancy, sexual dysfunction, mindfulness and a range of other topics.

Qualifications:

Graduate Diploma Health Sciences (Sexual Health) – University of Sydney

Graduate Diploma in Counselling – Australian College of Applied Psychology

Masters of Business, Marketing – University of Technology, Sydney

Professional Memberships

SAS – Society of Australian Sexologists (formerly ASSERT) – General Member

CAPA – Counsellors and Psychotherapists Association NSW – Clinical Member

PACFA – Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia – Clinical Member 

Workshops and Additional Training

Tanya takes professional development seriously and splits her time between Counselling and Psychological training and further Sexual Health/Sexuality training.

2014

6th Sexual Dysfunction Conference - Sydney – 3 day conference in Sydney on Sexual Dysfunction.  Also presented at this conference.

Dossie Easton – Radical Ecstasy – Two-day workshop on the integration of Tantric Philosophy with BDSM practice.

Dan Siegel – Two-day workshop on new and effective approaches to psycho-therapeutic clinical assessment, treatment planning and interventions.

2013

Tantric Spanking – Afternoon workshop on practices and principles of spanking incorporating: consent, safety and Tantra techniques

PRIME – Premature Ejaculation Symposium – 1 day workshop presenting latest research findings

Conscious Kink Workshop – 3 hour workshop on mindfulness and kink practice

Xplore Festival of Sexuality and Dance – 3 day series of workshops in alternative sexual practices, Tantra, BDSM and philosophy

Martin Seligman – Positive Psychology – 2 hour presentation at Sydney Opera House

2012

Somatic Tantra Training – 1 day workshop presented by Institute of Somatic Sex Therapy, (Brisbane)

ASSERT Conference  - Melbourne – 3 day National Conference for Australian Society Sex Educators, Researchers and Therapists

Kink, BDSM & Couples/ASSERT Workshop – One day workshop presented by Dr Marty Klein (USA)

Tantra for Sex Therapy/ASSERT Workshop – One day workshop presented by Jacqueline Hellyer, part of ASSERT conference

Sexual Intelligence – Presented by Dr Marty Klein (USA), 1 day workshop on couples sex therapy

Mindfulness Training for Practitioners – Open Ground 2.5 day workshop on using Mindfulness with clients and in practice

Attachment Theory: Clinical Assessment/measurement and interventions across the lifespan – One day PDP workshop presented by Kevin Keith

Attachment Theory: Informing and enhancing the practice of psychotherapy – One day PDP workshop presented by Kevin Keith

Luscious Women’s Workshop – Presented by Jacqueline Hellyer: Female Sexuality workshop, 2 days

5th Sexual Dysfunction Conference – Queenstown, New Zealand

Level 1: Bridging The Couples Chasm – Presented by: John & Julie Gottman - couples therapy (Melbourne)

2011

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy – Advanced Workshop

                            Strategies and frameworks for using ACT therapy

Sep 2011        Affect Regulation: The New Frontier

                            How to work effectively with clients who defend rather than feel

May 2011        New Directions in Trauma: Mindfulness, Multimodal Therapy in Complex PTSD

                            Dr John Briere

Mar 2011        Acceptance & Commitment Therapy – Introduction Workshop

                            Introduction workshop for ACT skills and theory

Mar 2011        Hypersexuality: Disorder & Interpersonal Phenomenon

                            Presented by Professor Eli Coleman, workshop for psychologists and psychiatrists

Mar 2011        Australian Association of Relationship Counsellors Conference, Melbourne

                            Workshops and presentations on relationship Counselling

Nov 2010        Assessment and Treatment of Internet Sex Offenders

                            Presented by Professor David Middleton, De Montfort University, Leicester UK

Nov 2010        What is Essential and Useful in Sexual Trauma Counselling

                            CAPA professional development

Oct 2010        ASSERT National Conference

                            Australian Society of Sex Educators, Researchers and Therapists conference presentations

Oct 2010        Relationships and Addictions

                            Impact of addictions on relationships and neurobiology of addictions

Aug 2010        Asia-Oceania Federation of Sexology Conference, Bali

                            Workshops and presentations on latest medical research and treatments in sexology

Jul 2010        Cognitive Behaviour Workshop

                            Effective treatment of Depression, Anxiety, Pain & Stress

Apr 2010        4th Sexual Dysfunction Conference, Melbourne

                            Presentations on treatment regimes in Sexual Dysfunction

Feb- Mar 2010        Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

                            Combination of CBT, meditation, yoga and teaching to manage stress

Mar 2010        Relationships, Intimacy & Sexual Compulsivity

                            Frameworks for dealing with sexual compulsion & neurobiology behind it

Feb 2010        Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples

0ct-Nov 2009        Interactive Drawing Therapy

                            Using drawing therapy to assist clients in telling their story

Jul 2009        World Congress for Sexual Health, Sweden

                            Global overview of past 2 years research, medication, psychotherapy and industry practice

Apr/May 2009        Domestic Violence

                            Core training and Couples; Part of Relationships Australia training

Mar 2009        Australian Association of Relationship Counsellors Conference

                            Workshops and presentations on relationship Counselling

Mar 2009        Working with Intimacy & Sexuality, Issues in Relationship Counselling

Mar 2009        Foundations for Working Systemically

                            Introduction to working systemically with Relationships

Feb 2009        Mismatched Libidos: Helping couples face the challenges of differences in sexual expectations

Nov 2008        ASSERT NSW 2008 Conference

                            Updates on Sexual Health, Pleasure & Rights, Australian perspective

Apr 2008        CHC Child 1 C Assessment

                            Working with Children

                            Assessment & Mandatory reporting

Feb 2008        Couples Therapy – The Existential Experience

                            2 hour workshop followed by discussion

Sep 2007        Complex Trauma, PTSD, DID

                            Vivian Courtis: Definitions of PTSD, DID identification and treatment, Working with complex trauma

July 2007        Borderline Personality Workshop

                            Working with BPD clients, frameworks, expectations

April 2007        World Congress for Sexual Health (WAS)

                            Global overview of past 2 years research, medication, psychotherapy and industry practice

Nov 2006        Sexuality Training Workshops

                            Run by Impotence Australia and covering: Sexual History Taking, Sexual Identities, Assessment of Sexual Issues, Assessing and Treating Premature Ejaculation, Working with Men and Low Sexual Desire

Apr 2006        Mental Health First Aid Course

                            All aspects of dealing with clients with mental health issues

Aug 2005        Suicide Risk Assessment and Management Course

                            Case managing suicidal clients and risk assessment