Award-winning social worker, national advisor, and PhD researcher Michael Elwan explores self esteem therapy and how it supports people to move beyond self-criticism toward steadier self-worth.

Award-winning social worker, national advisor, and PhD researcher Michael Elwan explores grief therapy for loss that reshapes identity, relationships, and meaning.

Award-winning Accredited Social Worker Michael Elwan offers trauma and PTSD therapy online across Australia. A trauma-informed, relational approach supporting safety, regulation, and reconnection after overwhelming experiences.

Award-winning Accredited Social Worker Michael Elwan offers depression therapy online across Australia. A trauma-informed, relational approach for people feeling flat, disconnected, or worn down by carrying too much for too long.

Award-winning Accredited Social Worker Michael Elwan offers anxiety or fears therapy online across Australia. A trauma-informed, relational approach for people feeling overwhelmed, vigilant, or stuck despite coping well on the outside.

Award-winning social worker, national advisor, and PhD researcher Michael Elwan reflects on migration, masculinity and mental health in a new ALIVE Network essay.

Award-winning social worker, national advisor, and PhD researcher Michael Elwan presents on lived experience leadership in academia at the Service Users in Academia Symposium (SUAS) 2025.

Supervision is never neutral; it either sees us or silences us. For social workers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD)  backgrounds, supervision can be a place of validation - or invisibility. That’s why I’m inviting social work supervisors, managers, and allied professionals across Australia to join Supervision That Sees Me: Culturally Responsive Supervision for CaLD Social Workers , a national live online workshop presented by the Australian Association of Soc

I recently received news that I’ve been named a Finalist  in the AASW National Excellence Awards   2025 for Social Worker of the Year , a recognition that honours lived-experience leadership and social work excellence across Australia. It took a while for the news to sink in. These things never start with applause - they start with small steps, hard days, and moments where you’re just trying to keep someone safe, including yourself. My path into social work wasn’t a straight

Award-winning social worker, national advisor, and PhD researcher Michael Elwan is appointed to the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist WA, advancing multicultural mental health leadership.

Great relationships don’t just happen. They’re not stumbled upon in perfect form. They are intentionally shaped, much like a sculptor revealing beauty hidden within stone. In the world of therapy, this idea is captured in what researchers call the Michelangelo effect - a concept that describes how partners can support one another to grow into their best selves over time. In my work with couples, I often witness the profound shift that occurs when partners choose to uncover ra

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to trust that your story is powerful enough to build something real from. It was a true honour to join Natasha Siryj and Janine Defontaine on this Finding North panel, facilitated with heart (and some epic tech resilience!) by Hayley Harris. Together, we unpacked what it means to bring our whole selves into self-employment - the grief, the fire, the faith, and the freedom. In this session, I shared how my journey into lived experien

Today , I had the privilege of standing alongside 30 other people with lived and living experience of suicide to co-sign an open letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, calling for urgent suicide prevention funding in Australia . This moment was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when those with firsthand experience speak with clarity, courage, and collective intent. This letter is more than a statement - it is a plea. A plea from those who have los

Childhood experiences shape our perceptions, behaviors, and emotional responses. When those experiences involve trauma, they can leave lasting imprints that influence our adult lives. However, healing from childhood trauma  is possible - and across Australia, more people are reclaiming their inner strength through compassionate, evidence-based support. Traumatic events in childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or loss, can lead to challenges like anxiety, trust issues, and emotio

Grief is a deeply personal experience that encompasses a range of emotions, from profound sadness to unexpected moments of peace. It’s not a linear process but rather a journey that unfolds uniquely for each individual. At Lived Experience Solutions (LEXs), we provide grief counselling in Australia  to help people navigate this journey with compassion, understanding, and evidence-informed care. Grief can manifest in various ways, including physical symptoms like fatigue, chan

Our earliest interactions with caregivers lay the foundation for our attachment styles in adult relationships , profoundly shaping how we connect with others later in life. Understanding these styles can offer valuable insight into relationship patterns and help foster healthier, more fulfilling connections. The Four Attachment Styles Secure Attachment:  Individuals with a secure attachment style are comfortable with intimacy and autonomy. They trust their partners, communica

Anger is a universal emotion, often misunderstood and hastily judged. While it can manifest explosively, leading to regrettable actions, it's essential to recognise that anger often serves as a protective mechanism, masking deeper, more vulnerable feelings. Through anger management therapy in Australia , people can explore the underlying emotions beneath their anger, gaining insight and building healthier, more authentic relationships. The Anger Iceberg: What's Beneath the Su

Addiction is often perceived merely as a series of poor choices or a lack of willpower. However, in my experience as a therapist, I’ve come to understand that addiction frequently serves as a coping mechanism for deeper, unresolved emotional pain. Through addiction therapy in Australia , people can explore these underlying emotions and pave the way for genuine healing and recovery. The Emotional Roots of Addiction Many individuals turn to substances or compulsive behaviours n

I’m honoured to share that I’ve been featured in UNE News  in an article titled Inspiring Change from the Ground Up , highlighting my journey from lived experience to leadership in mental health and suicide prevention. The story traces my early life in Alexandria, Egypt , where I became a caregiver at 14 after my father - a former Air Force General - was left blind by a stroke. Following his death, I cared for my mother, who lived with severe mental health challenges, until h

I am deeply honoured to share that I’ve been appointed to Suicide Prevention Australia’s National Lived Experience Panel . As the national peak body for suicide prevention, Suicide Prevention Australia’s commitment to embedding lived experience leadership is more than symbolic; it’s transformative. It recognises that those who have walked through loss, grief, and survival must have a voice in shaping the future of suicide prevention in Australia. This appointment is profoundl