The doctor in Chinese medicine and the highest qualification in Process Oriented Psychology wanted to combine her studies and experiences in social work, psychology and psychotherapy at the institute in Bowral.

Her studies and teaching took her through China, Europe and Sydney before she opened the institute and practice in 2004, basing her curriculum on her many years of clinical experience.

The institute has been recently accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

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"It's really remarkable that a small institute like ours has managed to get accreditation with TEQSA which is the accrediting body for higher education," Ms Nielsen said.

"To be able to offer a graduate diploma and Master's, that's really a big deal."

The institute's unique approach and rigorous training program has attracted students from Australia and across the globe.

"It is all about relationships," she explained.

"The implications of the physical, the emotional, and spirit are interconnected."

The Metavision Institute founder said it was important to take a holistic approach with mental health issues.

"The problem can rise in the dominance in one of these areas," she continued.

"I was wanting to know when I was talking to somebody, how I could bring in the symptoms, and things that were happening in people's bodies.

"I want to know - how could I really integrate the two; the psychological and physical symptoms?"

She said it was important for people to have access to mental health services, particularly throughout lockdown and its impacts afterwards.

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The practice not only provides support to Highlanders, but also offers accredited and professional courses such as foundational courses in holistic counselling and psychotherapy, as well as a Master's degree.

The institute will soon provide its first and second-year students at Metavision with the opportunity to support Highlanders through the student clinic.

This allows students to develop industry experience.

"That's why we want to offer something through our student clinic, and we're developing a resource for graduates to be able to make themselves known with this approach," Ms Nielsen explained.

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"People ring up and ask where they could see someone.

"A lot of students come to us by word of mouth.

"There's been incredibly positive feedback from both students and graduates so it's kept me going and here we are, 18 years later."

Highlanders have the opportunity to connect with nature through Metavision's Holistic Ecotherapy course next month.

The institute is in the process of preparing next year's courses and would love to give Highlanders the opportunity to get involved.

"We are looking for skilled people who might be able to help," Ms Nielsen said.

"There's a lot of people who have lost work, and we're very small and we're under-resourced at the moment, so we do need support."

Highlanders who want to learn more about Metavision or want to support it can email christina@metavision.edu.au or phone the office 02 4862 2559 and leave a message.

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