HAN

Han Weeramanthri

Counsellor & Consultant

Han (she/they/them) is a queer person of colour, with Sri Lankan, Indian and Irish ancestry. Han lives on unceded Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country, growing up on Noongar Country, and recently returning from years living on Gimuy, Walubura & Yidinji Country. Han holds a Master of Counselling and is about to start a Graduate Diploma in Psychology. Han has 8 years of experience in mental health, criminal justice, homelessness, disability, and community service sectors.

Han works within an abolitionist, intersectional and decolonial lens. Han utilises non-Western conceptualisations of health, mental health, and wellbeing and their work is deeply influenced by First Nations knowledge of healing, community, kinship and Country. Han works with their clients' own generational wisdoms, knowledges, and strengths, to improve wellbeing outcomes. Han interrogates the effects of colonisation, systemic oppression and marginalisation on individuals and communities, as well as the limitations and harms of Western mental health services.

Han has a lived experience of mental health distress, recovery and neurodivergence and this deeply impacts Han’s work, allowing greater understanding and empathy when working with clients. Han works with their own lived experience and client’s experiences and expertise to create a space that is collaborative, curious, and tender.

Han works within a range of modalities, including;

Types of therapy approaches;

  • Attachment theory based approaches

  • Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

  • Dialectic behavioural therapy (DBT)

  • Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) and psychoanalysis

  • Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)

  • Internal family systems therapy (IFS)

  • Somatic experiencing, polyvagal and mindfulness therapies

Han is deeply inspired by the community leaders, academics, activists and thinkers that came before them, and is committed to constant learning, reflection and growth, particularly in their own privilege and position in the world. 

Han’s therapeutic mission is to build identity, power, and resilience within individuals, with a vision of building stronger, more loving communities. Han believes culturally responsive therapy is a liberatory and transformative practice

Education

TRAUMA INFORMED YOGA TEACHER TRAINING | YOGA FOR HUMANKIND | CURRENT

MASTERS OF COUNSELLING | 2023 | EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY

BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN CRIMINOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY | 2018 | UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE