Anthony Varenica

Professional experience

Anthony first studied counselling over twenty years ago. Since then, he has worked in a range of diverse contexts. They include facilitating a Food Bank program in Melbourne, hospital chaplaincy, volunteering for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, facilitating Men’s Behaviour Change groups, and over the past five years working specifically with trauma and addiction.

Anthony likens therapy to jazz music; it’s often about improvisation, experimentation and most importantly, collaboration. As a musician, he deeply values the creative process and sees it show up in the therapy space, sometimes in surprising ways. Joy and humour are also close to his heart, and this led him to spend a week in 2013 with Patch Adams clowning around in Guatemala, an experience that continues to inform the way he works.

Interests

• Musician
• Singing
• Song writer
• Avid reader
• Walking
• Board games

What Anthony loves about working in mental health

“I view therapy as more than just talk; it’s more like a dynamic process that will help you integrate past experiences, current difficulties and future goals in a way that makes sense to you.”