Your guiding light.
Our mission.
To lead powerful change across domestic violence recovery, mental health, and social justice — through survivor-led advocacy, trauma-informed counselling, innovative tech, and national speaking. We exist to empower individuals, influence systems, and inspire action — with truth, compassion, and lived experience at the centre.
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Sheree Schonian is a survivor, counsellor, advocate, speaker, and changemaker whose work bridges personal healing and systems reform.
Drawing from her own lived experience of 16 years in an abusive relationship, Sheree has built a powerful, multi-faceted platform that spans direct counselling support, national advocacy, corporate training, and innovation.
Her mission is twofold: to walk alongside survivors as they reclaim their lives — and to challenge the systems that failed them, so no one else has to go through what she did.
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Counselling with Sheree offers trauma-informed, survivor-led support for women and families seeking healing after domestic and family violence.
Sheree’s counselling practice is built on deep empathy, professional skill, and the wisdom that only lived experience can bring. Clients are met with compassion, not judgment — and supported with tailored strategies that honour both their trauma and their potential.
Whether working through crisis, navigating life after abuse, or seeking space for emotional clarity, Sheree provides a safe, respectful environment for clients to reconnect with themselves and rebuild on their own terms.
Counselling with Sheree is more than therapy — it’s a guided return to self, offered by someone who understands the journey firsthand.
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Through her corporate work, Sheree partners with organisations, government bodies, and leadership teams to drive trauma-informed cultural change.
As a survivor and subject-matter expert, she brings unique insight into the realities of family and domestic violence, creating powerful learning experiences that go beyond awareness — into action.
Sheree has worked with some of Australia’s leading organisations — including BHP, Deloitte, Commonwealth Bank, and WA Government departments — to deliver impactful keynotes, facilitate leadership training, and advise on survivor-centred policy and workplace responses.
Her approach is candid, strategic, and grounded in truth. Whether she’s speaking at a national conference or consulting on systemic reform, Sheree helps organisations move from performative gestures to meaningful, measurable change.
My Life In Chapters.
My Life In Chapters.
Love, Bruises & Bullsh!t is a touching compilation of true life stories of survival. Over 20 women pour their hearts on paper to share their experience with family and domestic violence. Some stories are shared from the survivors perspective, some from the child who grew up in a home filled with violence and even those who have lost family members at the hands of their partners.
Founder’s Story.
Sheree Schonian is a mother, survivor, author, counsellor, award-winning speaker, and nationally recognised advocate who turned 16 years of domestic violence into a mission of reform, resilience, and hope. After enduring psychological, emotional, financial, sexual, and physical abuse, she made the courageous decision to leave - not only for herself, but for her children - and rebuilt her life from the ground up. Today, Sheree is the founder of a trauma-informed counselling practice and a sought-after speaker whose work spans Parliament House, corporate Australia, and frontline crisis support.
As an Agent of Change for the Department of Communities and a trusted voice in survivor-led advocacy, she develops discreet reporting tools, delivers corporate training, and supports long-term healing programs. Her leadership is grounded in lived experience and a deep commitment to making sure no survivor walks the recovery path alone. Whether she’s standing on a stage or sitting beside a woman in crisis, Sheree shows up with honesty, compassion, and unwavering strength. Her story is more than survival — it’s a movement that says: you matter, you’re believed, and you get to rise.
What people are saying.
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Sheree is a passionate advocate for ending violence against women and girls. She is a powerful storyteller and a living example that life after abuse is possible. Sheree is a valuable resource for individuals and organisations wanting to understand the cycle of domestic violence and how best to support people who are experiencing abuse. Her bravery, perseverance and determination is truly awe-inspiring. Thank you Sheree for continuing to share your story in order to empower others.
Claudia Mancini - Producer - Centre for Stories
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We invited Sheree to Port Augusta to give some insight into her experiences, particularly for other women in similar circumstances, but she also spoke to people working in the sector and emergency services personnel. Sheree gave so much of her story to us and we appreciate her greatly for sharing. Sheree is open, warm, engaging and took us through a journey that was tough, sad and emotional, but she has come through and now stands proud as a survivor. Our community stakeholders learnt how hard it is for women to step out of an abusive relationship, and our Aboriginal women were able to see that their own experiences are not isolated.
Heather - Uniting Country SA - Port Augusta
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Sheree kindly agreed to come to Water Corporation and share her personal story as part of our activities around 16 Days in WA to Stop Violence Against Women. Sheree’s total honesty about her heartbreaking journey of surviving family and domestic violence was humbling to witness. Her story was thought provoking and compelling and I thoroughly applaud her organisation, I Am Sheree; which aims to raise awareness, provide resources to survivors, and challenge abusive behaviour that has been normalised. It was an honour to welcome Sheree to Water Corporation.
Fiona Smith - Water Corporation - General Manager
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I have had the pleasure of working with Sheree on multiple occasions, and I am consistently impressed by her dedication, professionalism, and passion for her work, story, and message she wants to spread. Sheree's commitment to her advocacy work is truly inspiring. She has a unique ability to connect with people and provide support in a way that is both compassionate and effective. Her expertise and dedication make her an invaluable asset to any project or initiative she undertakes.
Glen - Bankwest
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Sheree’s willingness and courage to share her story has had a huge positive impact on the WA community. Her genuine care and empathy shines through when she speaks about coercive control, family and domestic violence and violence against women. Sheree delivers her story in a way that is raw, deeply compelling and inspiring.
Bridget - Office for Prevention of Family & Domestic Violence – Department of Communities
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Sheree was an outstanding speaker at our event. She was well prepared and talked about her personal experience of domestic violence in a moving, engaging and articulate way, while at the same time highlighting ways to help those experiencing it to survive, grow, and rebuild their lives. Our members who were present that evening commented on how touching and inspiring Sheree’s presentation was. I highly recommend her to other organisations as a speaker.
Vicky Nazer - President, Zonta Club of Perth Inc and Director - Perth Foundation for Women