Ania Harnden

 

Accredited Mental Health Social Worker

B. Social Work, EMDR Therapist 

I am an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with nearly 20 years of experience working with individuals and families from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. I am also an Accredited EMDR Practitioner with the EMDR Association of Australia. My passion is supporting people through life’s most difficult experiences, with a particular focus on trauma, PTSD, Complex PTSD, childhood trauma, sexual abuse, and mental health challenges.

As a trauma-informed therapist, I provide evidence-based treatment in a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space. I use approaches such as EMDR Therapy, Ego State Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, guided visualisations, and relaxation strategies. My goal is always to support clients to heal, build resilience, and reconnect with their strengths.

I work with adolescents, adults, and families. I have a strong interest in supporting parents at every stage of the journey—from toddlers through teenage years and into adult children—helping them strengthen relationships, manage conflict, and rebuild trust. I also provide support for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, workplace challenges, self-acceptance issues, as well as life transitions.

I am passionate about supporting first responders and their families, helping them process trauma and manage the unique pressures and stresses of their work and home life. I provide services under Medicare, Work Cover QLD, the Fire and Emergency Services Support Network, Queensland Police Self Refer Program, and Victim Assist QLD.

Fluent in both English and Polish, I also offer bilingual therapy for those seeking culturally sensitive care. Clients can access support through Mental Health Care Plans (with a small gap fee), insurance funding, or privately.

Areas of Expertise:

• PTSD, Complex Trauma, Childhood Trauma & Sexual Abuse

• Anxiety, Depression, Panic Attacks & Phobias

• Parenting Support & Family Relationships (toddlers to adult children)

• Teen Challenges & School-Related Issues

• First Responders & Their Families

• Stress, Anger Management & Workplace Issues

• Self-Acceptance & Personal Growth

• Life Transitions & Adjustment

• Cultural & Immigration Challenges

 

Articles of Interest by Ania Harnden:

• What is EMDR therapy?
• Toxic relationships – How did I end up here?
• Healing From Sexual Abuse
• Shift Drama to Healthy Interactions
• The Hand Model of the Brain
• Trauma Responses
• Journey Through Parenting Styles
• Positive Parenting
• How To Help A Child – Compassionate Foster Care
• Empowering Body Positivity
• Body Image Beyond The Surface
• Breaking the Bullying Cycle
• Navigating Workplace Stress
• The Mechanics of Motivation
• How to Maximize Success
• Embracing Body Diversity: Beyond Diets
• The Modern Obsession with Pursuing Happiness and Validation
• Exploring Psychological Flexibility through ACT
• Development of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies
• The Power of EFT Therapy
• Enhancing Connections and Understanding in Relationships
• Exploring PTSD and Complex PTSD Recovery
• Anxiety in Children and the Effective Approaches
• Ego State Therapy