Dominique Barras (assistant teacher)

What inspires you to be an assistant teacher?
My passion for being an assistant teacher stems from a deep dedication to the counselling profession and a genuine love for the transmission of knowledge. Teaching and facilitation have long been central to my work and I am eager to cultivate a supportive, engaging, and collaborative group dynamic where adult learners feel confident to explore and grow.

Having walked in the shoes of a Year 1 student, I bring a empathetic, grounded, and highly relatable perspective to the classroom. I understand firsthand the transformative journey the students are embarking on, along with the practical and personal challenges that come with it. Assisting offers a wonderful opportunity to bridge that student experience with meaningful instructional support, holding space for new learners as they build their foundational coaching and counselling skills.

About me
With over twenty years in international management and leadership roles, I experienced firsthand how prolonged pressure and relational friction can impact well-being. That journey led me to pause, reflect, and shift my focus toward supporting others through moments of personal, professional, and relational transition.

My practice centers on helping individuals unpack recurring communication loops, gain clear structural insights into their relational patterns, and establish healthy, sustainable boundaries.

My approach is grounded, practical, and highly experiential. I integrate visual and systemic methods alongside mindfulness-based practices, encouraging clients to turn subconscious habits into conscious, positive choices. Currently completing my practical qualification under supervision, I bring a blend of real-world leadership experience, academic structure, and a deep appreciation for human connection to every session – fostering a safe, authentic environment where clients can gain clarity and navigate change.

Why have you chosen the ACC and what did the training bring you?
I chose the ACC primarily for its strong humanistic roots. The ACC curriculum is anchored in empathy, unconditional positive regard, and the belief in each individual has the innate potential to grow. This deeply aligns with my personal and professional values. I wanted a program that went beyond surface-level techniques and rooted its pedagogy in genuine human connection.

What the training brought me, above all, was a powerful reminder that to become a guide for others, you must first do the work yourself. While mastering the core theoretical frameworks was essential, the true gift of the program lay in the profound introspection it demanded. The ACC created a safe, robust, and supportive space that challenged me to lean into deep self-reflection, peel back layers, and gain clarity on who I am, both personally and as a counsellor.

Who is my hero and why?
I don’t know that I have a single hero in the traditional sense, but I am deeply inspired by guides whose life’s work offers a compass for how to live and relate to others.

One person I hold in great admiration is Thich Nhat Hanh. What draws me to his example is not heroic posture, but his profound embodiment of compassion, mindfulness, and gentle resilience. Despite enduring severe adversity, conflict, and exile, he remained steadfast in his commitment to peace, deep listening, and presence. Rather than meeting suffering with anger, he met it with quiet courage and human warmth.

To me, he represents the power of living one’s values fully from the inside out. His approach is a constant reminder of how transformative simple presence, breath, and radical empathy can be. These are vqualities I strive to hold and cultivate both personally and in my work with others.