Living Stories is owned and operated by Jessica Ignjic. Jess holds a Masters in Social Work and has over 15 years’ experience working with a diversity of people with a broad range of needs. She has worked in an extensive range of areas including domestic and family violence, parenting, child protection, young people, drug and alcohol, mental health and specialist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing.
Jess is an experienced counsellor however also has extensive experience in areas such as management, leadership, community development and senior practice which gives her a broad depth of knowledge and awareness. With strong values and commitment to social justice and human rights, Jess works in a way that is accountable and ethical.
Jess employs a person-centered approach to practice; supporting people to find meaning in their own unique stories and re-author a narrative that is meaningful and empowering. Jess recognises people as the expert in their own life and draws on strengths-based modalities. She uses a range of theoretically informed practice models including Narrative Therapy, Crisis Intervention, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT), Mindfulness based therapies and Motivational Interviewing. Jessica has recently taken an interest in couples counselling and is in the process of obtaining Gottman Relationship Counselling accreditation.
Aside from her role as a counsellor, she also works in a private capacity as a Social Work Consultant providing a range of contractual work to government, non-government and private agencies.
Jess can provide counselling services in a broad range of areas which includes but is not exclusive to:
- Family and relationship issues
- Couples
- Parenting
- Workplace challenges
- Depression and anxiety
- Identity and self-compassion
- Trauma and life events
- Drug and alcohol issues
- Domestic and family violence
- Anger management