Joshua

Joshua Wrest - Breathwork Practitioner, Holistic Psychotherapist & Counsellor

Hi there, 

Thanks for visiting my website. I hope you find this information helpful and it inspires you to book a session with me, either now or when you’re ready. If you want to know more about my offerings or would like an opportunity to connect, then you can book a free connection call here. 

I am a holistic psychotherapist and counsellor, working with individuals and couples, as well as a breathwork practitioner facilitating private breathwork sessions, group workshops, and retreats throughout Australia and abroad. My purpose is to support people through their change process by helping them access their inner power and wisdom, release self-limiting beliefs, feel their emotions, and foster personal growth. I guide individuals in recognising and harnessing the transformative power of their breath, heart, and mind as tools for growth and transformation.

In addition to supporting mental health, I am passionate about helping people access higher states of consciousness to experience more joy, ease, and freedom in their lives. I also enjoy exploring life’s meaning and purpose questions with my clients. My practice is trauma-informed and guided by clients' needs and goals. I work with people from all walks of life, genders, and sexualities; however, I most frequently work with men, couples, queer folk, and people transitioning through difficult life experiences.

I have historically struggled to feel a sense of safety or belonging in community and have found it hard to express my emotional needs honestly. Denying my authentic expression, coupled with isolation, depression, and anxiety, led me to commence my therapeutic process in my mid-20s. I have used meditation, plant medicines, nature-connection practices, breathwork, and holistic psychotherapy/counselling to support my growth process, and I continue to explore these methods today.

A key part of my healing process has been returning to the intelligence of my body. For this reason, my practice integrates various somatic awareness practices and tools to enhance clients’ capacity to listen to and act on the wisdom of the body. Breathwork is my most favoured tool for this purpose, along with other mind-body techniques and holistic therapies.

Beyond my work as a breathwork practitioner and therapist, I have worked in the Australian public service, as well as the university, international aid, and development sectors. I am a proud member of the LGBTIQ+ community with roots in rural Australia. I laugh a lot, am naturally curious about people and their life experiences, and enjoy natural movement practices, time alone in nature, and fostering quality connections with friends and family.

Specialisations:

  • Anxiety and depression;

  • grief;

  • shame and guilt;

  • trauma;

  • life meaning and purpose questions;

  • men’s mental health;

  • couples therapy;

  • sex and sexuality;

  • addictions;

  • life coaching;

  • embodiment/somatic awareness and grounding; and

  • spirituality (all practices).

Qualifications & memberships

  • Master of Counselling (current), University of New England (2024)

  • Sacred Deathcare Intensive, Dr Sarah Kerr (Canada, 2024)

  • Holistic Psychotherapy and Counselling with Lee Trew, Connection Culture (2023)

  • India Quest with Sondra Ray - Rebirthing Breathwork Retreat in the Indian Himalayas (March 2023)

  • Two-year breathwork practitioner training, Rising Vines Integrative Therapies (2016-18)

  • One-year group breathwork facilitator training, Rising Vines Integrative Therapies (2020)

  • One-year breathwork apprenticeship, practitioner training course (2020)

  • Committee member of the Australian Breathwork Association (2019 - 2023)

  • Registered practitioner with the Australian Breathwork Association and the International Breathwork Foundation (2018-current)

  • Bachelor of Arts/Asian Studies, Australian National University

International conferences

  • Attendee and presenter, The Embodied Breath, Global Breathwork Conference - Amsterdam, Netherlands (2024)

  • Attendee and presenter, Deep Ecology and Breathwork, Global Breathwork Conference - Munich, Germany (2022)

  • Attendee, Global Breathwork Conference, Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA (2019)

  • Attendee, New Zealand Breathwork Conference, Auckland (2019)