the Name

The word Katallasso is a Greek word deriving from katá = an intensifier + allásso = change. In its simplest form it means to change, exchange and to reconcile (those who are at variance – differing or opposing). It refers to one returning to favour with or to receive one into favour.

Katallasso is a verb – signifying action. We at Katallasso believe that counselling and support work requires the client to be active in their self-development and implementation of changes to improve their relationships.  In classical Greek allásso was used to express changing shape, or colour, or appearance. It was also used in the sense of to exchange or to barter; and so was not infrequently used of taking one thing in exchange for another. At Katallasso we believe that relationships often require compromise and mutual exchange as we work in unity with each other.

Katie

Katie grew up on the North-West of Tasmania on a small coastal farm. She has two older brothers and spent much of her childhood playing sport, caring for various animals, and riding motorbikes. In 2000 she spent a year living overseas in Quebec, Canada and returned to Australia to meet her now husband of 20 years. Katie and Ben moved to Launceston after getting married so Katie could pursue her career in Social Work.

Katie completed her Bachelor of Social Work with Honours in 2006. In the early years of her career, she developed and implemented programs for at risk young people focusing on building strength and resilience, restorative practices, and family support. Katie then reviewed and re-designed programs for crisis and emergency family support and developed a volunteer program recruiting, training, and supervising over 30 volunteers as well as a small student unit supervising Social Work students in the organisation she was working for.

In 2011 Katie and her husband Ben travelled for 7 months visiting a variety of community organisations around the world including orphanages, drug rehabilitation centres, AIDS babies’ home and women’s shelters, drop-in centres, and an American youth camp. During these placements Katie assisted with service delivery as well as staff development and training. She also participated in an intensive exploration of restorative practices in Hull, England and training in Halifax, Canada. Upon her return to Australia, Katie worked in cancer support as the senior support officer providing psychosocial support services as well as developing and delivering support programs to urban, rural, and remote communities in Tasmania and Flinders Island.

Katie has undertaken further education, training and qualifications in PREPARE/ENRICH pre-marriage, marriage and parenting education, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Enneagram Personality System, mindfulness practice, creative and play therapies, Restorative Practices, grief, youth challenging behaviours and therapeutic group facilitation.

In 2014 Katie and Ben welcomed their first child (son) and Katie became a stay at home mum. Researching and living out all experiences parenting which has become a key passion. In 2016 Katie and Ben welcomed their second child (daughter). Whilst raising a young family Katie remained connected to her social work knowledge and skills commencing self-employment contract work for Youth Justice, the Office of the Education Registrar and Child Safety Services. Katie has also continued to supervise social work students as an external field educator with the University of Tasmania and supervise emerging social workers in private consultancy.

Katie and Ben also belong to a Christian faith community in Launceston where Katie actively volunteers in children’s and youth leadership and mentoring, dance coordination and development, pre-marriage and marriage education and counselling as well as connect group facilitation.

Now that the children have commenced schooling Katie has turned her knowledge, passion and experience of over 15 years’ as a practitioner to strengthening and reconciling relationships in her own business – Katallasso.