Thalia Koulas (she/they)

Founder and Counsellor

Thalia is available on Tuesday mornings and evenings, Wednesday mornings and evenings, Thursday mornings and afternoons, Friday mornings and afternoons, and fortnightly on Saturday mornings.

Who do I work with?

Thalia works primarily with LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent people, especially those navigating autism, ADHD, gender diversity, sexual diversity, and complex trauma. They’ve got experience supporting people 12 and up, though most of their work is with 16–35-year-olds. Whether you’re deep into your queer journey, just starting to wonder if you might be autistic, or anywhere in between, Thalia’s here for it. They’re particularly passionate about working with neurodivergent trans and gender-diverse people, people that are bi, pan or asexual, and the broader neurodivergent community. Thalia is not suitable for anyone seeking Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

What should you expect in session?

Queer little lounge room energy - casual, cozy, a bit chaotic, and deeply intentional. Like chatting with someone who gets it while you’re curled up in your comfiest clothes, sipping a warm drink, maybe pausing to stim or share a meme mid-session. It’s low-pressure, non-judgemental, and centred around what you actually need that day.

Expect some swearing, some laughs, some big feelings, and a lot of real talk. It’s a space where masking isn’t required, where your neurodivergence and queerness aren’t just accepted but celebrated, and where we make room for both softness and strength.

As a queer AuDHDer, Thalia brings a mix of lived experience and practical strategies into their work. They know that exploring mental health can be messy and overwhelming, so they do their best to make sessions feel safe, collaborative, and empowering. Their approach is shaped by Liberation Psychology, Mad Pride, and Compassion-Focused Therapy — frameworks that challenge stigma and centre your lived reality.

Who am I?

Outside of sessions, Thalia loves video games, reality TV, and live music. They sometimes cook (with mixed success), enjoy a good pub trivia night, and listen to everything from metal to jazz to rap to pop music. They’re also big on Japanese food, comedy shows, coffee, cats, and going to the gym. Most of all, they love spending time with their close friends and partner. Current special interests (SPINs) include: System of a Down, F1, Hello Kitty Island Adventure, Bobs Burgers, Bojack Horseman, and Sims. Thalia is a Pisces sun, Libra moon, Sagittarius rising.

Thalia is also the Founder of Therapy Shmerapy, so they are always looking to chat with other aligned small businesses. Please direct any related enquiries to them.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Psychological Science

  • Master of Counselling

  • Intentional Peer Support Core Training (completion in September 2025)

Lived and Living Experience

  • ADHD - Working memory challenges, motivation, non-linear productivity, PMDD, rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD).

  • Anxiety - Social and general, panic attacks.

  • Autism - Adult diagnosis journey, autistic burnout, interoception hyposensitivity, unmasking, shutdowns and meltdowns, suicidal ideation, stimming, fixations, social differences, internalised ableism, discrimination.

  • Interpersonal Relationships - dating (all gender-inclusive), neurodivergent partnerships, sharing spaces with others (friends and partners), finding community, navigating friendships

  • LGBTQIA+ issues - Gender dysphoria, agender, queer and bi+, chosen family, discrimination.

  • Self-harm.

  • Sex work.

  • Trauma - Intergenerational trauma in a CALD family, domestic violence, sexual assault, derealisation, flashbacks, grief and anger related to world events and captialism.

If what you’re needing support with is not here, please email info@therapyshmerapy.com.au prior to booking with Thalia.

Thalia is open to and experienced in exploring other issues that she does not have personal life experience with. She can contact you to chat about if we can support you.