Irinah Jurkowski, AASW

Irinah Jurkowski is an experienced counsellor based in Sydney with more than 15 years supporting individuals, couples and families through significant life challenges. She is accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), which denotes recognised professional social work accreditation in Australia. Over a long career in private practice she has worked with people from diverse backgrounds, offering practical guidance and emotional support across a wide range of concerns.

Her practice is collaborative and compassionate, focused on creating a respectful, non-judgemental space where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings and relationships. Irinah works with common issues such as stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, depression and coping with life changes, tailoring each session to the needs of the person or couple in front of her. She helps clients develop self-awareness, build confidence and pursue more satisfying relationships and life experiences.

Irinah integrates a variety of therapeutic methods to match a client’s goals, drawing on short-term solution-focused techniques alongside deeper, exploratory approaches and trauma-informed work. She supports couples to repair trust, improve communication and reconnect emotionally, and applies targeted trauma work when childhood or other traumatic experiences are central to a person’s struggles. Each plan is adapted to the individual so people feel supported in ways that are most effective for them.

Clients can expect a pragmatic and empathetic counsellor who aims to empower them to move forward with greater resilience, clearer insight and a stronger sense of wellbeing.

Evidence-based approaches and flexible online care

Solution-Focused Therapy is a brief, goal-oriented method that concentrates on practical steps and strengths to help clients tackle immediate problems and build momentum for change. It is often useful for stress, anxiety and life transitions where people want clear strategies and measurable progress.

Emotionally Focused Therapy helps couples identify and change unhelpful interaction patterns by focusing on underlying emotions and attachment needs. This approach supports partners to repair disconnection, rebuild trust and deepen emotional intimacy.

Trauma-informed techniques, including targeted trauma processing, are used when past experiences continue to affect a person’s wellbeing. These methods aim to reduce the hold of traumatic memories and to restore more adaptive coping and emotional regulation.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Irinah works collaboratively with each person or couple to tailor methods to their needs, goals and preferences, and adjusts the plan as progress is made. Appropriately qualified or registered professionals assist clients in selecting the best pathway for their concerns.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging offers practical flexibility and access for busy lives or those in regional areas. These options make it easier to attend regular sessions, maintain continuity of care and fit therapy into everyday routines while working with a therapist who can adapt techniques to the online format.