• About

About Us

Strong Minds, Strong Relationships Pty Ltd is a Mona Vale based psychology service, providing therapy, coaching, supervision and counselling support to individuals, couples, families, clinicians and organizations.

The service provides genuine professional guidance and support in a confidential environment.

Strong Minds, Strong Relationships Pty Ltd is located at Suite 33, First Floor, 90, Mona Vale Road, Mona Vale 2103. Entrance carpark Jubilee Parade, Warriewood.

Click here to contact Strong Minds, Strong Relationships Pty Ltd.

ACN 631 174 582

Psychologist – Anita van Aken

  • BSc Hons Psychology, MA Couple and Family Therapy UNSW
  • APHRA Registration Number PSY0001290995
  • Medicare Provider Number 5197451H
  • PsychBoard Approved Clinical Supervisor

Profile

Anita van Aken is originally from the Netherlands; she completed her Honours degree in Psychology in England and has worked in Australia as a registered psychologist in health and community services since 1993.

In the early days of her career Anita worked with at risk adolescents and their families. Later she specialised in the field of relationships counselling completing a Masters in Couple and Family Therapy at UNSW in 2003.

As a psychologist she worked for leading counselling services including Relationships Australia as an individual, couple and family counsellor, educator, lecturer and clinical supervisor.

She managed Relationships Australia’s Northern Sydney Region for 6 years and completed a Diploma in Management during that time.

Anita is a committed psychologist and family systems therapist with a wealth of experience and scholarship in the field. Systems thinking posits a close connection between symptoms and relationships.

Anita will coach individuals and families deal with mental health concerns as well as assist them to better understand and manage couple and family relationships or workplace dynamics.

A Bowen Family Systems approach will explore patterns of interaction in relationships that contribute to communication and connection worries.

A Cognitive Behaviour approach will further assist with strategies to adjust feelings, thinking and actions.

Clients will benefit from a wholistic approach utilising evidence-based practice and interventions that will help build personal resilience and grow personal maturity within relationships at home and at work.

If you would like to contact Anita to discuss a referral or book an appointment, please do not hesitate to phone:  0410 678 898

Credentials

  • BSc Hons in Psychology – London Metropolitan University, London, UK 1992
  • Masters of Arts in Couple and Family Therapy – University of NSW, Sydney 2003
  • Diploma in Management – Australian Institute of Management, Sydney 2011
  • Certificate III in Fitness – Fitness Institute Australia, Sydney 2011
  • Advanced Certificate Bowen Family Systems Theory, Sydney 2015 to 2018

Professional Membership

  • Member Australian Psychological Society
  • Clinical Member Australian Family Therapy Association

Achievement Award

In 2008 whilst working at Relationships Australia NSW Anita was awarded an Achievement Award:  ‘For inspiring Multi-Culturalism in the Northern Sydney Region’s work with CALD and Indigenous clients’

Conference Presentations

  • 2003 Australian Family Therapy Conference – Adelaide
  • 2006 Australian Family Therapy Conference – Sydney
  • 2007 Family Relationships Services Conference – Melbourne
  • 2008 Child Support Conference – Sydney
  • 2009 First National Indigenous Family and Community Partnership Conference – Newcastle
  • 2011 HR SUMMIT – Sydney
  • 2012 Child Support Conference – Sydney
  • 2014 Australian Family Therapy Conference – Sydney
  • 2019 Australian Family Therapy Conference – Melbourne