Thelo

Vickie Simos is a qualified Counsellor and Psychotherapist. She is a Martial Artist with two black belts. Vickie is the author of The Boxer Within.

She has worked with children/adolescents for over two decades, dealing with a variety of mental health.

30/03/2026

School Holiday Martial Arts Program!

In begins two weeks tomorrow!

Looking for a fun, active, confidence boosting holiday activity?

My Martial Arts Holiday Program is open to all school-age children! Kids will learn self-defence skills, build confidence, make new friends, and burn off holiday energy in a safe, supportive environment.

Parents also welcomed!

Cost: $80 per student.
Location: TBA.
Duration: 3 hours.
Break in between - Fruit to be provided.
Minimum of 4 students to proceed.

Contact me via the website www.theloactivetherapy.com or DM me.

24/03/2026

As some of you may know, I've been training young soccer goal keepers. From U8 - U10 to U11 - U15.

Although the number of kids can vary, I always get the same kids showing up. As it should be, consistency is key.

That said, i do want to make a special mention about a young person who, on his first session, told me he was scared of the ball. It's not ideal for a goalkeeper.

However, through perseverance, showing up for every session and doing the work. He's showing real potential. He's confident, not scared to challenge, and never gives up.

What more could a coach ask for?

If you're looking for a soccer club for your son or daughter, contact

www.theloactivetherapy.com

22/03/2026

Are you worried about seeing a counsellor?

You are not alone. I know i was.

It took me months before I decided to see one. I only wish I did it earlier, but I guess I wasn't ready. Or just aftaid.

Afraid of what you ask? Being vulnerable.

I think people are afraid to show that side of themselves because they had to be strong for others. Or that was their conditioning. In their eyes, vulnerability equals weakness, but most of us know that's not true.

It's actually the opposite. Vulnerability shows strength.

Ego also plays a big part, 'there's nothing wrong with me', I'm not crazy, I've just had a bad week, month, year, it's not my fault, it's theirs. We fill our heads with so many excuses so we don't have to deal with the person looking in the mirror.

People have so many misconceptions, but the truth is...

The role of a counsellor is to help people explore, understand, and help them resolve personal, emotional, psychological , or relationship issues.

The work is grounded in empathy, active listening, and being nonjudgmental.

It's about creating a safe, confidential, and supportive environment where people can talk openly, gain insight, and develop strategies to cope.

Help clients, set goals, feel heard, validated, and less alone.

So, if you're looking to talk to someone, please contact me via the website www.theloactivetherapy.com

Free 30 min consultation, either by phone or face-to-face.

I offer online, group, and 1:1 counselling.

Active/Talk therapy, or we can just talk.

These are your sessions.

17/03/2026

For my new followers, my name is Vickie, and I am the founder of Thelo Active Therapy.

I use martial arts as a combination and / or alternative to mainstream therapy. I mainly work with young people, but I can also work with adults.

I find this combination helps build confidence, self-esteem, resilience, discipline, determination, emotional regulation, and social and situational awareness. But also offer counselling separately, face-to-face or online

I also have a graduate diploma in Psychotherapy and counselling and a Masters in counselling.

I am multi-disciplined, with a 4th degree in Doce Pares Eskrima (Philipino stick fighting).

A 2nd Degree in Arjukanpo Karate.

I have 25 years of experience in boxing

Over a decade of kickboxing experience.

I have also competed nationally and internationally.

Later this year, I am also working on receiving my (soccer qualifications) foundation of goalkeeping and obtaining my C Licence

Lastly, i have over two decades of working with young people, from working as a support worker for Anglicare to supporting young people in school settings. This includes running group sessions in schools. From 2019 to 2024, i also worked for youth corrections, which exposed me to a variety of mental health issues.

If you would like to learn more, please visit my website, www.theloactivetherapy.com, or DM me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

16/03/2026

There are so many people in this world who are struggling 🌎

Struggling to find peace, calm, light, and love.

Be it because of losing loved ones, mental health issues, financial issues, family struggles, and work struggles, just to name a few.

It can sometimes be super hard, and you feel like it's never going to end.

There doesn't seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

I want to say there will be, but some situations take time. So all I can do is empathesize and sit virtually next to you, holding your hand.

And, although words may not provide a solution, i hope they provide some comfort in knowing that there is someone out there who appreciates you.

While our struggles are relative to our lives, we still must have empathy for others.

www.theloactivetherapy.com

12/03/2026

There are so many young people who struggle with their self-esteem, self-confidence, body issues, and bullying (including the ones I see), which impacts other areas of their life.

They struggle to make friends because they worry about being judged. They then prefer to stay home and disengage rather than go to school. And if at school they spend their lunch time in the library or just sitting on their own.

I've been there, and it hurts like hell.

Hearing about is especially heartbreaking for me, I can only imagine what it's like for the parent.

And while I know they try their best to help their children.

Be it at home or organising outside school activities. It's difficult to find a place that caters one on one, as most places offer groups.

This is where is different.

I begin with one on one's and slowly introduce them to group activities, i.e., school holiday programs if and when they are ready.

I offer a FREE 30-minute, which involves a meet and greet between myself, parents, and young people

If what you read resonates and sounds like a good fit for your child, please contact me via the website www.theloactivetherapy.com

09/03/2026

Surprisingly, I think a lot of us struggle with this. I know i do! Because really, what does it mean?

Perhaps you think you are your best self, and that's great!

Or, it is like taking one step forward, and BAM!!! two steps back.

Where, It just takes one thing, and suddenly, you are transported back to who you're trying not to be.

That said, i also believe people are just doing their best. Or are they? To play devils advocate, are we really doing our best? Or is that the narrative we tell ourselves?

As a therapist and someone who sees a therapist, trying to change for the better can sometimes feel like an impossible task. But possible, nonetheless.

You could also be that person who sees there's nothing wrong with them, but it's everyone else.
Not taking accountability!

However, i have to wonder, is it a case of ignoring the signs rather than dealing with it. Wearing blinders or living in complete oblivion?

I'm feeling quite philosophical tonight.

I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

www.theloactivetherapy.com

08/03/2026

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to book speaking engagements for 2026.

So, if you are part of a school, club, team, corporate, organisation, or running an event. I'm your person!

I will share the highs and lows from my martial arts days, competing, nationally, and internationally.

My struggles with mental health and how they have shaped me.

The strategies that have helped me navigate through these challenges and what happens next.

I will also include how working with the young neurodivergent has been my greatest reward.

I use my own experiences to teach them about resilience, courage, perseverance, determination, and how they can rise above adversity.

I believe this is something we all need to hear right now.

So, if you're interested in having me speak. Or to learn more about what i do, please contact me via the website www.theloactivetherapy.com or DM me, and I will send you further details.

# #2026

06/03/2026

So, i just had my first week of training young goalkeepers. U8, U10, and U15's, and the feedback has been super positive. Thank you so much!

Some of these kids have been playing for a while, and some are new, but they're all willing to learn more.

And, although there will be challenges along the way, that's with anything. My aim is not only to teach these young keepers skills, but most importantly, belief and confidence in themselves. The martial arts mindset!

Goalkeeping is not an easy position. It's like boxing, just you and your opponent. It's also the most important position you'll play because you see everything. Or maybe I'm just biased...lol..

For those that don't know, I played soccer for 5 years and fell into goalkeeping by default because my cousins team needed a keeper.

After that first session, I was hooked!

So, if you're looking for a soccer team for your child, specifically daughter, contact

Alternatively, if you're looking for confidence building and resilience through martial arts and counselling, you can contact me via the website www.theloactivetherapy.com or DM me.

04/03/2026

As a counsellor, my role is to help people explore, understand, and help them resolve personal, emotional, psychological , or relationship issues.

My work is grounded in empathy, active listening, and being nonjudgmental.

It's about creating a safe, confidential, and supportive environment where people can talk openly, gain insight, and develop strategies to cope.

Help clients, set goals, feel heard, validated, and less alone.

If you're looking to talk to someone, please contact me via the website www.theloactivetherapy.com

Free 30 min consultation, either by phone or face-to-face.

I offer online, group, and 1:1 counselling.

Active/Talk therapy, or we can just talk.

These are your sessions.

02/03/2026

To follow on from yesterdays theme on resilience, i want to add the following...

Understanding that it's not about the failures and success, but 'how we rise after falling'.

www.theloactivetherapy.com

#

01/03/2026

Today, I had a conversation with the mum of one of my kids.

He's 11, neurodivergent, super smart, intelligent, and wise above his years. However, like many, he feels the need to be perfect.

This has been a problem for him over the years. If he can't achieve something, it feels like an internal car crash.

There's also other external factors, such as other kids who fuel that internal monologue of self-deprecation.

This can have a lasting effect, which can continue through adulthood.

In addition, young people come to my studio, they see all these trophies and medals and think they can't achieve the same.

What they don't always understand is the amount of work that goes into reaching those achievements.

Let me share a story that I hope will help those thinking failure is a negative.

When I first got into stickfighting, it was never about the competition, well, unless my instructor told me to - first mistake. If you are going to do something, do it for yourself.

As a team, we travelled overseas to compete in the USA - i knew i wasn't ready. Note: The comps were round robin. Basically, you win, you continue, you lose, that's it. I was the latter, so $1500 + expenses went down the proverbial.

Why did I compete, you ask? Well, I was part of a team, I didn't want to let them down or my trainer.

That said, i was pretty pi**ed. I was angry at the world, my trainer, myself. At the time, I believe my trainer should've not let me compete, but at the same time, everyone deserves a shot.

Anyway, I felt like such a failure, but what i didn't realise at the time was i was setting myself up for success.

After picking myself up, I decided that if I'm going to compete again, at an international level or any level, I needed to do it for me. Win or lose!

I trained like a crazy person, 12 - 14 hours a week (you can get the full story from my book)

When it came to competition time, all i wanted was one win. Not bow out on the first.

15 fights over two days and came home with 2 silvers and a bronze.

The moral of the story is that don't let anyone get in your way, especially you.

www.theloactivetherapy.com

Address

Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC
3000

Website

http://www.theloactivetherapy.com/

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