Holistic Counselling with Bella Aurora Starr – Sunshine Coast QLD
Holistic Counselling & Somatic Therapy with Bella
If you are looking to feel better and experience a calm regulated nervous system, transform old patterns playing out in your life and relationships, and step into the power of your authentic self, welcome!
My Approach
I believe that meaningful transformation happens when we learn to truly listen to ourselves — not just through the mind, but through the wisdom of the body, the nervous system, and the deeper aspects of who we are.
My work brings together Internal Family Systems (IFS) / parts work, somatic and nervous system approaches, embodiment meditation, and transformational practices and experiences to support you in reconnecting with yourself at a deeper level and creating long term change in the nervous system. Rather than trying to fix or change the parts of you that feel anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected, we gently turn towards them with curiosity, compassion and presence, and ‘love’ them back to wholeness. The tools and practices I offer you can support you to rewire your brain and nervous system, and reconnect with your soul and true essence so that you can become your most authentic and empowered self.
I see the body as an essential part of the healing process. Our experiences, emotions, protective patterns and stories are not held only in the mind — they are felt and expressed through the nervous system and the body. Through somatic awareness and embodiment, we can begin to create the safety and space needed for something new to emerge.
Alongside this therapeutic work, I am deeply engaged in my own journey of awakening, self-discovery and transformation. This informs the way I work with others. I bring a perspective that invites you to look beyond familiar patterns and identities, to consider what becomes possible when you see yourself — and your life — from a wider, more compassionate perspective. This journey of awakening never ends – and anyone claiming they have ‘done the work’ as if to imply they have reached a state of perfection and moved beyond their ego, is being lead by yet another part of themselves (e.g. spiritual ego). You will not find me making false claims. I am honest, down to earth and aim to live in integrity.
For me, transformation is not about becoming someone different. It is about coming home to who you are beneath the layers of protection, conditioning and old beliefs. Beneath the surface there are many gifts waiting for you, and reclamation and integration of all parts of you brings new energy, inspiration, creativity, joy, gratitude and love for life. I speak from personal experience.
My role is to walk alongside you as you explore that territory — helping you slow down, listen inwardly, reconnect with your body, understand your parts, and access the deeper wisdom already within you.
This is an invitation to move from simply understanding yourself to experiencing yourself differently — with greater presence, choice, connection and wholeness.
My Specialisations
- Anxiety
- Trauma – especially chronic and complex (e.g. from abusive childhood)
- Relationships – helping you create healthy secure relationships and attachment – including coaching to help you act secure before you feel secure
- Unhealthy behaviours, addictions and compulsions e.g. sugar, caffeine, overeating, cleaning obsessions, shopping addictions etc
- Chronic Health Issues and Pain – exploring the link between mind, emotions, trauma and physical health
I specialise in these areas because they are from my lived experience. I discovered that somatic based therapy works best for transforming anxiety and trauma as these are energies held in the body.
I am here for those who are ready to make and change and are willing to take responsibility for their life. I am your guide and support and I offer you the tools, practices and experiences to create long lasting change.
For those on a spiritual awakening journey, I’m here to support you as go through your initiations and continual awakening too. My spiritual awakening and shamanic path means that I have gone through many initiations. Sometimes it just helps to know you are not alone.
“We’re all just walking each other home”
-Ram Dass
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS HOLISTIC COUNSELLING?
Holistic counselling is a natural form of therapy and healing that works with mind, emotions, body and spirit. As a holistic counsellor I consider all that influences you, such as your beliefs and early programming, family, race, culture, personal history, values, sexuality, physical health, trauma or overwhelming events, spirituality or religion, your energy field, as well as who you really are beyond all concepts and labels. Different holistic counsellors have different approaches. I have outlined my approach above, although you probably need to experience it to understand it.
WHAT CAN HOLISTIC COUNSELLING HELP WITH?
- Anxiety
- Trauma
- Becoming authentic and reclaiming your power
- Support in challenging times
- Relational wounds (e.g. for those who experienced emotional, physical, sexual or spiritual abuse or neglect or bullying in childhood)
- Relationship problems/patterns
- Transitions – divorce, new life stage
- Grief
- Facing death
- Chronic pain or illness
- Transforming unhealthy behaviour patterns including addictions. (An addiction is any repeated behaviour that you cannot stop that has detrimental long term consequences – so that could be overeating, unhealthy foods, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, drugs, shopping, sex, etc.)
- Creating change in your life and manifestation
- Healthy and holistic weight loss
- Integration for plant medicine journeys, or for those who are awakening
WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
If you are coming in person sessions are held in my treatment room in my house, and there is everything there to ensure your comfort and safety: a comfortable chair, water/herbal tea offered, tissues, healing tools that may be used, comfortable lighting, a comfortable room temperature, and a bathroom nearby.
You can expect me to deeply listen and respond to what is arising for you. Each session offers the opportunity for healing. As we identify issues, or blocked energies/emotions, unhelpful beliefs, wounded parts and so on I offer healing to bring resolution or create a change. Much of this work is about releasing, resolving and integration.
You will have your own realisations, and can integrate the work we do into your life to become your own healer.
HOW DOES HOLISTIC COUNSELLING DIFFER FROM PSYCHOTHERAPY?
While we use the same kind of listening and communication skills, the emphasis is not on talk therapy alone. I am not a psychologist or a psychiatrist, and I don’t diagnose you. I am non-judgemental and will approach issues with a sense of curiosity, compassion and care and guide you to presence yourself that way too.
WHY CHOOSE HOLISTIC COUNSELLING?
In order to create change, you will need to feel a shift within you – willing change via the conscious mind is not enough! That’s why I work with your body, your subconscious mind and your energy, and help you to let go of wounds and pain and the beliefs that were created from them. If you want transformation, then holistic counselling is for you. I’m here to help you heal yourself, and be empowered to move forward.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?
This varies from person to person, and we can discuss this – it really depends on you, your history, where you are at and your goal. If you want lasting change then I recommend you commit to come regularly (every 1 or 2 weeks) for a while. Following a period of working together regularly, you may choose to start spacing sessions out, or the healing and therapy may be complete for a while. I will be here for you when you need me.
I HAVE BEEN TO QUITE A FEW THERAPISTS ALREADY, CAN YOU HELP ME?
If you feel a resonance then most likely I can help you. A true healer is also a teacher, and will work to empower you. I’m honest and authentic, and imperfect! I’m not your guru. I am a good guide and will support you on your journey, and ultimately it is your unique journey. This is a collaboration – I’m always listening to you, and guiding you as best I can and I want to hear your feedback. I am very approachable, compassionate and caring.
Issues are doorways. There is no issue that is too big. This work can be deep. It is best to approach any issue with curiosity and self-compassion – and these are skills you can learn. As we work together, you will be able to presence yourself more and more, and your nervous system will be healing.
I had anxiety and complex trauma and now that I’ve healed so much of it I feel more alive, more safe and embodied. I still have pockets of trauma, sensitivity and triggers – so my work continues – but the person I am today feels so much better than I used to feel when I was walking around with so much trauma in my body. I am here and present for you with your pain and suffering so that you may do the same.
The truth is I didn’t get the right kind of support for a long time. For those like me who have relational wounds, healing in a consistent and safe therapeutic relationship is important, so when I did get the support I needed it changed my life. When we have relational wounds but only rely on ourselves we are reaffirming those wounds and beliefs “I’m alone”, “I’m not safe”, “I don’t matter”, “I don’t belong” etc. When we truly feel safe and supported in a therapeutic relationship, or in any truly supportive relationship, we can heal naturally. So if you haven’t found the right therapist for you yet, please do not give up, there is help available.
“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek”
– Joseph Campbell