Azita Abdollahian
through their problems . I asked Azita how the unusual setting was received by her clients .
“ I had one client , a GP , who felt I wasn ’ t professional because of the setting , but within half an hour she relaxed and opened up . It was unusual , but it was less threatening for some women to come here than a doctor ’ s office .”
Fast forward five years and Azita not only has her psychology degree , but she also has her Masters , an advance diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Hypnotherapy and continues to study to keep learning more about how to help people .
She has her own practice in the city where she sees individuals for therapy sessions , but recently Azita has taken her need to help people in a different direction and has began offering retreats . I wondered why this shift had happened and she was happy to tell me about her latest venture .
“ People are too busy to go to therapy , it ’ s a struggle to fit it into their lives . I decided to hold a weekend retreat so people can come along and relax while also learning how to take care of themselves .”
This sounded like bliss to me so I asked her to tell me what people could expect at this spa like therapy weekend .
“ I run the retreat myself and take a wholistic approach to the therapy . Before we start discussing the topic of the retreat
my guests are invited to relax , the first night is just yoga and meditation with fresh food cooked by a chef . When you calm the body first , its ready to accept and learn , its ready to listen . It ’ s very important to prepare our nervous system to move from the alarm state , so we sooth the body , then work on the mind .”
This unusual approach to some of the trickier aspects of our mental health seems to work a treat , the people who attend the retreats find themselves less stressed and more open to sharing their experiences in the group sessions . Azita finds that groups sessions work incredibly well as the people who attend not only learn from her , but from the collective wisdom of others .
Azita has worked hard to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere in the new facility she has bought to run her retreats from , and judging by the photos of Carnelian House it looks more like a high end spa than a place for therapy . This is all part of her plan to help heal the people who attend the weekend retreats .
“ It is quiet and peaceful and set in the beautiful landscape of Kurrajong ; it is a sanctuary for people who want to relax and rest . You don ’ t have to worry about your children or partner interrupting your meditation and the space is designed to put you in calm state of mind .”
“ People find when they go home they take this feeling of peace with them , which then helps to coregulate their
The beautiful setting at Carnelian House in Kurrajong .
“ People are too busy to go to therapy , it ’ s a struggle to fit it into their lives . I decided to hold a weekend retreat so people can come along and relax while also learning how to take care of themselves .”
family helping them to be calmer and less stressed .”
If all of this sounds like heaven to you Azita is holding her next retreat in October which is focused on Relationship Resets . Not only will you learn how to improve your relationships with those nearest and dearest to you , you will learn about your relationship with yourself , which is the most important relationship in your life . Along with her retreats , Azita also offers individual and couples therapy and also has a podcast where you can dip into a variety of discussions on mental health and relationship topics which are lead by Azita and special guests . You can find out more at her website , www . theprojectofyou . com . au .
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THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 111 // SEPTEMBER 2024 7