Michael Elwan, AASW
Accredited social worker supporting adults and couples
- Trauma-informed approach
- Accredited Social Worker AASW
- Offers diverse therapy modalities
About Michael Elwan
Michael Elwan is an award-winning Accredited Social Worker who practises in Australia, supporting adults and couples who feel worn down, stuck, or quietly overwhelmed rather than broken. He works with people who are often not in obvious crisis but who carry anxiety, grief, relationship strain, identity questions, burnout, or long years of responsibility beneath a composed surface.
Therapy with Michael is intended to be a space to slow down without judgement. His approach is calm, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive, drawing on emotionally focused, narrative, mindfulness-based, and acceptance-based methods. Sessions emphasise understanding the patterns that shape daily life rather than only managing symptoms, with a focus on building clarity, greater emotional steadiness, and more grounded ways of relating to oneself and others.
Michael’s clinical perspective is informed by both professional training and personal lived experience. He was a young carer for his father and later lived through profound grief after losing loved ones to suicide. Those experiences continue to shape how he sits with people and how he holds the complexities clients bring to therapy.
Alongside lived experience, Michael brings formal training and professional accountability to his work. He is an Accredited Social Worker and a full member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), and he is completing a PhD in mental health. His practice has been recognised nationally, including being named the 2025 AASW Social Worker of the Year, receiving the WA Mental Health Award for Lived Experience Impact and Inspiration, and being a finalist for the Sir Ronald Wilson Leadership Award and the Barbara Hocking Memorial Award.
Outside the therapy room Michael is a husband and father of two, which grounds him in the everyday realities of relationships, responsibility, and the ongoing work of staying connected. He welcomes people seeking therapy that feels thoughtful rather than rushed, honest without judgement, and grounded in dignity as much as change.
Therapy with Michael is intended to be a space to slow down without judgement. His approach is calm, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive, drawing on emotionally focused, narrative, mindfulness-based, and acceptance-based methods. Sessions emphasise understanding the patterns that shape daily life rather than only managing symptoms, with a focus on building clarity, greater emotional steadiness, and more grounded ways of relating to oneself and others.
Michael’s clinical perspective is informed by both professional training and personal lived experience. He was a young carer for his father and later lived through profound grief after losing loved ones to suicide. Those experiences continue to shape how he sits with people and how he holds the complexities clients bring to therapy.
Alongside lived experience, Michael brings formal training and professional accountability to his work. He is an Accredited Social Worker and a full member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), and he is completing a PhD in mental health. His practice has been recognised nationally, including being named the 2025 AASW Social Worker of the Year, receiving the WA Mental Health Award for Lived Experience Impact and Inspiration, and being a finalist for the Sir Ronald Wilson Leadership Award and the Barbara Hocking Memorial Award.
Outside the therapy room Michael is a husband and father of two, which grounds him in the everyday realities of relationships, responsibility, and the ongoing work of staying connected. He welcomes people seeking therapy that feels thoughtful rather than rushed, honest without judgement, and grounded in dignity as much as change.
Areas of Expertise
Also Specializes In
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Existential Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems Systemic Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Michael Elwan have?
Michael Elwan has 15 years of experience.
Is Michael Elwan a licensed therapist?
Yes. He holds the AASW credential and is an Accredited Social Worker and full member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
In which languages does Michael Elwan provide therapy?
Michael provides therapy in English and Arabic.
Where is Michael Elwan located?
Michael is located in Australia.
How can I work with Michael Elwan as my therapist?
Therapy sessions may take place by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Michael Elwan work with international clients?
Michael Elwan does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Michael Elwan cost?
Costs can vary based on factors such as location and availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time, for any reason. For current pricing and details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Could Online Therapy Be a Good Fit for You?
Many people wonder whether connecting with a therapist online can meaningfully help. For common concerns - such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or navigating life changes - online therapy has been shown to be just as effective as traditional in-person sessions.One of the main advantages is flexibility. People can meet with a therapist in the format that suits them best - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - which can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life or to access support from different locations.
Therapists who offer online work are licensed professionals, and it is possible to change providers if a different fit is needed. For many, online therapy provides practical access to consistent support and tools that can be integrated into day-to-day life.