Services
Counselling & WDO Sponsor
Nina provides bilingual (Arabic) trauma-informed and culturally responsive, strengths based counselling to families and individuals. She practices FPS, including CBT and MI, Narrative Therapy, and integrates Islamic Psychology (IP), art, and music therapy where suitable. Referral pathways include: self-referral (private), GP Mental Health Care Plans; Psychiatrists; Paediatricians; Department of Justice (Victims Services), NDIS Providers; Government agencies; FACS, Case managers, Revenue NSW (WDO), Legal Aid, solicitors, and specialist DV women's refuges.
Trauma Specialist and Consultant
Nina Trad Azam
Nina is a Fellow of the Australian Association of Social Workers and holds a Master of Advanced Social Work Practice, a Bachelor of Social Work and an Advanced Diploma in Islamic Psychology. She has worked within grassroots organizations and peak bodies of the local Muslim Community since the early 1990s in both voluntary and professional capacities, understanding its strengths and potential. During that time, she consulted for and worked with prominent individuals and organizations, including participating in media interviews and government consultations.
Since 1998, she and her husband, Dr. Sajid Azam, have operated a UOW teaching and specialist medical Acupuncture and GP practice in the Illawarra. Nina has supported diverse local CALD communities through cross-cultural awareness training, human rights advocacy and social work including the elderly. Nina has co-founded support groups and served on several boards, including the ABC Advisory Council, Sisters Cancer Support Group and Illawarra People 4 Peace. After identifying service gaps and providing significant pro-bono services for the health and well-being of disadvantaged elderly people, refugee and emerging communities she founded Self Actualize Australia Ltd., a registered Not-for-Profit, in 2017 to help address this gap.
Since 1998, she and her husband, Dr. Sajid Azam, have operated a UOW teaching and specialist medical Acupuncture and GP practice in the Illawarra. Nina has supported diverse local CALD communities through cross-cultural awareness training, human rights advocacy and social work including the elderly. Nina has co-founded support groups and served on several boards, including the ABC Advisory Council, Sisters Cancer Support Group and Illawarra People 4 Peace. After identifying service gaps and providing significant pro-bono services for the health and well-being of disadvantaged elderly people, refugee and emerging communities she founded Self Actualize Australia Ltd., a registered Not-for-Profit, in 2017 to help address this gap.
Nina has immense respect for people's innate human capacity for growth, resilience and continuous development during their healing journeys after trauma. Her lived experience with numerous types of trauma informs her empathy. Her approach to recovery is supported by the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model of care. In 2025, she designed and purpose built Holistic Health East Hills, offering women's trauma-informed physiotherapy, reformer Pilates, medical acupuncture, vitamin infusions, counseling and case management.
Nina offers outreach services where possible, and her counselling rooms are located at Holistic Health East Hills. They are surrounded by an ancient gum tree. The sound of birds and running water with the smell of perfumed plants overlooking fish ponds grounds the senses to promote mindfulness.
Nina offers outreach services where possible, and her counselling rooms are located at Holistic Health East Hills. They are surrounded by an ancient gum tree. The sound of birds and running water with the smell of perfumed plants overlooking fish ponds grounds the senses to promote mindfulness.
