Meet Anthony Arpino
Counsellor and Psychotherapist
Neurodivergent identities | LGBTQIA+ affirmative care | Anxiety, overwhelm and self-esteem
“I believe compassionate connection and empathy are at the heart of healing and meaningful change.”
— Anthony Arpino
General Information
Availability:
Wednesdays and Thursdays
Location:
George Street, Dymocks Building, Sydney CBD
Appointments:
In-person and telehealth
Who Anthony works with:
Adult individuals
Individual sessions:
$185
Medicare rebates:
No Medicare
Private health insurance:
HCF, Ahm, Bupa, Police Health Fund, Emergency Services Health, Phoenix Health, St Luke’s Health, GMHBA, see-u by HBF (telehealth only), Teachers Union Health, AIA, Doctors Health Fund, Westfund
Languages:
English
Pronouns:
He/him
Anthony’s main areas of focus are LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent identities, trauma and adverse life experiences, emotional overwhelm and anxiety, and self-esteem and limiting self-beliefs.
Style of Therapy
Warm, collaborative, honest, empowering and educational.
Anthony is an integrative therapist. He draws on different approaches according to the person and the concerns they bring to therapy, rather than following one method with everyone.
His work incorporates person-centred therapy, polyvagal-informed approaches, Schema Therapy and Internal Family Systems-informed work.
He has completed EMDR Part 1 training and incorporates this training into his work where appropriate.
His approach is shaped by lived experience of queer and neurodivergent identities, queer parenthood, and more than 20 years spent mentoring and coaching people in corporate and creative environments.
How Anthony Works With Each Person
Anthony aims to create a therapeutic space where clients do not feel they need to edit, explain or minimise who they are. His approach is warm, inclusive and trauma-informed, with time to explore identity, experiences, thoughts and feelings at a manageable pace.
He works with clients to understand the patterns, experiences and beliefs shaping their lives. This might include looking at the effects of past experiences, making sense of emotional reactions, or recognising a familiar pattern in relationships.
Alongside this exploration, he supports clients in developing self-acceptance and ways of responding that make sense for them.
Anthony believes compassionate connection and empathy matter in therapy. Feeling understood by another person can help someone begin to understand themselves differently, too.
Other things you and Anthony might address
There may be areas of life, identity or relationships that feel challenging, confusing or simply worth exploring more deeply. These might include:
Sexuality and gender identity, including queer-questioning and gender-questioning experiences
Neurodivergent identities, including autism, ADHD and Tourette syndrome
Stigma, discrimination, exclusion and pressure to conform
Trauma and adverse life experiences
Self-image, self-esteem and limiting self-beliefs
Emotional overwhelm, worry, anxiety and low mood
Understanding triggers and developing ways to regulate and support the nervous system
Relationship and communication difficulties
Queer parenthood and rainbow family life
Support for parents or carers of LGBTQIA+ or neurodivergent children
Work-related difficulties and burnout
Anthony offers individual therapy for adults, with a particular interest in working with gay men and trans women, as well as people exploring or questioning their sexuality, gender identity or neurodivergence.
What is therapy with Anthony like?
How Can Therapy Support LGBTQIA+ Adults?
Anthony supports LGBTQIA+ adults with concerns about identity, relationships, self-esteem, anxiety and past experiences.
Therapy can include exploring sexuality or gender, talking about the effects of stigma and discrimination, or making sense of experiences that have been difficult to discuss elsewhere. He has a particular interest in working with gay men and trans women.
Does Anthony Work With People Questioning Their Sexuality or Gender?
Yes. Anthony works with people exploring or questioning their sexuality or gender identity. Therapy offers room to consider what these experiences mean to the person, without pressure to arrive with everything already worked out.
How Can Therapy Support Neurodivergent Adults?
Anthony supports neurodivergent adults, including people with autism, ADHD and Tourette syndrome, and those exploring or questioning their neurodivergence.
His work can address emotional overwhelm, anxiety, self-esteem, communication and the effects of being misunderstood or expected to conform. He also works with clients to develop supportive strategies that suit their needs.
What Might Anthony and a Client Explore Around Anxiety or Overwhelm?
They may look at situations that trigger distress, the thoughts and beliefs that accompany it, and how the person responds.
Anthony helps clients understand these reactions and develop ways to regulate and support their nervous system. His approach considers their experiences and circumstances alongside practical strategies.
Can Anthony Help With Relationship Concerns?
Yes. Anthony works with relationship and communication difficulties in individual therapy.
This can include understanding patterns, exploring beliefs about oneself and others, and considering different ways to respond.
Does Anthony Support Queer Parents and Carers?
Yes. Anthony works with queer parenthood and rainbow family life. He also offers individual support to parents or carers of LGBTQIA+ or neurodivergent children.
His own experience of queer parenthood informs his work.
Does Anthony Offer Couples Therapy?
Anthony works with adult individuals. Relationship concerns can be explored in individual sessions.
What Is Anthony’s EMDR Training?
Anthony has completed Part 1 of an EMDRAA-accredited EMDR training course. He incorporates this training into therapy where appropriate.
What Do Sessions Cost? Is Medicare Available?
Anthony’s individual session fee is $185. Medicare rebates are not available for sessions with him.
What Anthony’s About
Anthony is the founder of Proud Place Therapy and a proud member of both the LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent communities. His own lived experiences, including queer parenthood, inspired him to establish his practice and offer affirming care to others within these communities.
He brings curiosity to how people understand themselves, what they have experienced and what they want for themselves next. He wants clients to have room to explore these questions without being told who they should be.
Originally from the UK, Anthony spent several years living in France before settling in Sydney in 2005.
Before becoming a counsellor and psychotherapist, he spent more than 20 years in corporate and creative environments. Mentoring and coaching individuals and teams was a significant part of his work.
Outside the therapy room, Anthony is a music aficionado and vinyl collector who loves dancing and live music. He is also a self-professed linguaphile and enjoys learning languages.
When it is time to switch off, there is a very good chance he will be watching one of the Drag Race franchises from somewhere around the world, maybe without the subtitles, but probably with them!
Credentials
Master of Counselling, University of Canberra
Australian Counselling Association (ACA), Level 3
EMDR Part 1 training through an EMDRAA-accredited course
Additional training in Internal Family Systems and Schema Therapy
Anthony has memberships in the following Counselling peak bodies
