Hi there, my name is Malak Shakhtour and I am the founder of Chapter One Counselling.
I created Chapter One Counselling because I wanted therapy to feel hopeful, personal and deeply human. A space where you can reconnect with yourself, make sense of what you have been through and move forward in a way that feels aligned with who you are and what you need. I bring empathy, experience, and warmth to the counselling space.
The name Chapter One reflects my belief that healing can involve finding meaning in the chapters that came before, carrying forward what still matters and letting go of what no longer feels aligned. With deeper insight and a renewed sense of agency, you can reclaim your place as the author of your story.
I am an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Clinical Hypnotherapist with over 7 years of experience providing one-on-one therapy, and over 10 years of working within the mental health sector.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Psychological Science
- Masters of Social Work
- Postgraduate Certificate in Drug and Alcohol Counselling
- Diploma of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy
Additional Training:
- EMDR Level 1
- EMDR Level 2
- Brainspotting Phase 1
- Brainspotting Phase 2
- Hypnosis for Trauma & PTSD
- Schema Therapy: Complex Trauma & Borderline Personality Disorder
- Schema Therapy for Chronic Mood & Anxiety Disorders
- Schema Therapy - The Schema Mode Model and Mode Interventions for Complex Cases
- EMDR and Hypnosis in the treatment of chronic pain
- Play Therapy and Games: Proven Strategies to Engage in Therapy
- Family Based Therapy
- Cognitive Processing Therapy
- Working with the Pain of Abandonment
I provide mental health care based in Alexandria NSW.
My Approach
You can expect me to be engaged, honest, compassionate and genuinely interested in understanding your experience.
You are welcome to bring uncertainty, humour, frustration, silence, conflicting feelings and all the parts of yourself that may not always feel easy to express elsewhere.
I draw from evidence-based, trauma-informed and neuroaffirming therapeutic approaches, adapting our work according to your needs rather than expecting you to adapt to a rigid therapeutic model.
Some people come to therapy wanting practical strategies and a clearer understanding of what is happening. Others need a safe place to slow down, process experiences or reconnect with parts of themselves that have been pushed aside. Often, therapy involves a combination of both.
Our sessions may include developing practical tools, exploring emotional and relational patterns, understanding the influence of earlier experiences, working with the body and nervous system, or finding new ways to respond to thoughts and feelings. We will move at a pace that feels manageable, with your comfort, autonomy and goals guiding the process.
