A Little About Me
Calm Compassionate Professional
Since 2013, I have been working with trauma, grief, addiction and a range of mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, personality disorders and existential issues to name a few. Prior to my work as a therapist, I spent 3 years working in a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation service conducting case management and psychoeducation training.
Over the years, I have worked with hundreds of clients, though one simple factor has remained clear throughout my years of practice as a therapist: in order to facilitate healing and growth, we need a safe, caring and calm presence. A space where we can speak without fear of judgement, a space to feel heard and understood on a deep level.
I am a PACFA clinically accredited counsellor and psychotherapist who can help you to develop personal insight and address a range of concerns such as trauma; problem gambling, substance-use disorders, grief and loss (including companion animal loss), existential anxiety, spiritual issues, interpersonal issues, anxiety and depression.
I believe that as humans, we all aim to live meaningfully in the world. My role is to support you, to make sense of your experience, by co-creating a safe space within which you can manage and process your concerns, to re-establish those meaningful connections in life.
My approach is calm, compassionate, and authentic. I work from a person-centred approach at the core. However, I integrate a range of therapies including Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Focused CBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Meaning Centred Therapy, Existential Analysis, Mindfulness based therapies (MBSR and MBCT), Strengths based, and Solution Focused approaches. I recognise that everyone is unique, and I tailor treatment to meet your needs.
I recognise that it is a significant and rewarding step to seek psychological support. I have the utmost respect and compassion for my clients. I trust that together we can create meaningful outcomes and that I can support you to move towards the life you wish to lead.
How I Came to Practice Pet Grief and Loss Counselling
"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language." ― Martin Buber
My entire life has been blessed by the presence of animals, and I learned from a very young age that, similar to humans, each animal, regardless of species, has a unique personality, whether it be reserved, fearless, shy, excitable, calm, cheeky, gentle, curious, or outgoing.
I am not unfamiliar with the unique grief that the loss of a loved one creates. It was the recent loss of my Maine Coon 'Colin', who, despite the best efforts of veterinarian surgeons, never regained his quality of life, that triggered a recognition of an absence of support for those struggling with the very real grief that follows the loss of a companion animal.
I later found while I was considering my intention to support others to manage grief at the loss of their companion animal through evidence-based practice, that when speaking about this I never received an unsupportive response. Everyone I spoke to had experienced or knew someone who’s grief warranted that little bit of extra support to process and manage. It’s worth noting that, within my roles as a counsellor and psychotherapist, some clients would raise the loss of a pet as a primary concern, or as a contributing factor to other concerns.
This, coupled with my own loss, motivated my decision to further specialise in this area of counselling. After I found specialised training in the US, Kindred Pet Grief and Loss Counselling emerged.
I have been blessed by the presence of animals, and although I have lost and grieved animal companions, and will again throughout life, I would not trade that pain of grief for a life without these unique connections.
Qualifications of Significance
Certificate in Pet Grief & Bereavement Therapy
APGL
2021
Specialised Pet Grief and Bereavement Counselling. Training completed through the Association Of Pet Grief and Loss (US)
Clinical Status Obtained
PACFA
2020
Obtained when a therapist exceeds 750 hours of client counselling/psychotherapy, as well as the corresponding supervision and training
Advanced Course Of Logotherapy
VFIA
2016-2018
Australia's only Specialised training in The Existential school of Logotherapy, and Meaning Centered Therapy. An affiliate of the Viktor Frankl Institute of Vienna.
I currently sit as a committee member of the Viktor Frankl Institute of Australia
Graduate Diploma of Counselling & Psychotherapy
ACAP
2013-2016
Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy received through the the Australian College of Applied Psychology.
Training providing accreditation and entry into the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
Bachelor of Social Science
Double Major in Counselling, And Indigenous Knowledge
Southern Cross University
2009-2012