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About Counselling...

The Weight of trauma

Life doesn't always unfold as we planned or follow the path we expected. 

Whether you're struggling with anxiety, stress, depression or loss - due to trauma - these experiences can leave you feeling disconnected, emotionally exhausted and unsure about your path forward. 

 

When struggles live not just in your thoughts but in your emotions and body as well, it can feel like no amount of “just talking about it” makes any real difference.

Counselling gives you space to pause, reflect and work through what’s really going on for you — not just in your thoughts, but in your emotions and even in how your body holds stress.

Counselling isn't about fixing something that's broken - It's about understanding yourself better, properly exploring and processing your experiences and building resilience, so you can move towards experiencing the life you want to live.

Practical and Holistic Approach

The way we think, feel and respond to our challenges isn’t just about logic — it’s shaped by our past experiences, behavioural habits, emotional patterns and even the way stress and tension are stored in our bodies.

 

That’s why our work together focuses on four key areas:

  • Mindset – noticing unhelpful thought patterns and distortions and reshaping them in ways that support you.

  • Mood – understanding your emotions, making sense of them and finding ways to regulate them.

  • Memory – exploring personal narratives, past experiences and deeply held beliefs that still influence you today.

  • Movement – using grounding, calming, regulation and somatic-based techniques to ease stress and restore physical balance.

Our work isn’t about you “just managing” your trauma — it’s about changing how you experience it

If you're ready to make meaningful changes in your life, to understand yourself better and to develop new ways of managing trauma-related challenges - book your Intake Counselling Session today and begin your journey towards positive change.

About Me...

A little bit more about me...

My Personality and Approach

My clients and colleagues would probably describe me as quiet, thoughtful, patient, knowledgeable, open-minded and down-to-earth. These attributes tend to mean I bring a relaxed, calm, caring and understanding presence to my practice. Whilst personally I would also add funny to the list, I save my humour in sessions for only when it's appropriate!

The rapport and relationship that builds between my clients and I is a priority for me. At all times during our work together, my aim is that clients feel truly heard, accepted, safe and understood.

 

My Area of Therapeutic Interest

Through my own trauma struggles and my professional therapeutic journey, I've experienced and seen how personal challenges, stress, overwhelm and life's difficult happenings can impact our emotional and physical landscape, and at times bleed through to other aspects of our lives.

I work predominantly with trauma [symptoms of trauma / repercussions of trauma] such as; trauma-related anxiety, stress, overwhelm, burnout, depression, loss, grief - as these are all trauma symptoms / repercussions that I have personally experienced throughout my life.

 

For this reason, I refer to myself as a Lived-Experience Counsellor - who also has ample academic training.

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About My Counselling Approach...

Just as every person is individual, I believe that therapy should be individually tailored to fit you – not the other way around. That's why I use an Integrative, Eclectic counselling approach - combining different therapeutic methods to create a treatment style that works specifically for you.

 

What This Means for You

Think of Integrative therapy as like having access to a fully equipped toolbox, rather than having just a single tool.   

Depending on your needs, we might, for example:

  • Use Cognitive-Behavioural (CBT) techniques to understand and reprocess patterns or habits in your thoughts, emotions and responses

  • Explore the stories that shape your self-beliefs through Narrative therapy

  • Practice (DBT) mindfulness strategies to help you manage challenging thoughts and regulate emotions

  • Apply Trauma-Informed Care to ensure we're addressing root causes, not just presenting symptoms

  • Incorporate Body-Based (somatic) strategies to help you manage stress and tension physically

  • Develop (ACT) Self-Compassion practices to build your resilience and help prevent burnout

 

I'm All About Flexible and Responsive Care

Your needs might change from session to session, and that's okay.

Sometimes you might need practical strategies and exercises. Other times, you might just need a space to talk while I listen attentively and help you make sense of your experiences. We'll work together and adjust our approach based on what feels most helpful for you in the moment.

 

Starting Our Work Together

Not sure exactly what you need or want to work on?

That's completely okay and actually quite normal. In our first session, we'll start from right where you are - focusing on what's happening for you right now.

From there, we'll collaborate and develop a therapy plan that:

  • Moves at a pace you're comfortable with

  • Addresses your immediate concerns

  • Identifies your longer-term goals

  • Adapts as your needs change

  • Builds on your existing strengths, resilience and resources

 

Our Partnership

We're in this together!

You'll bring your expertise about you, your life and your experiences.

I'll bring my expertise about therapeutic approaches and techniques.

And together, we'll create a path forward that feels manageable and meaningful for you.

Industry registrations...

Australian Counselling Association (ACA) - Level 2 [member no. 24081]
Certified Practicing Counsellors Australia (CPCA)

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Qualifications, Accreditations, Certifications...

- Masters in Counselling, University of Canberra

Qualifications -

- Graduate Diploma in Counselling, University of Canberra

- Bachelor of Social Science (Counselling), Southern Cross University

- Level 1 and 2 Certificates in Wellness Coaching for the Health and
Fitness Professional, Wellness Coaching Australia

- Diploma in Holistic Human Development (Counselling) and Meditation Teaching, IVHHD School of Meditation & Alternate Therapies

- Certificate in Meditation for the Management of Anxiety and
Depression, IVHHD School of Meditation & Alternate Therapies

- Certificate in Meditation for Children, IVHHD School of Meditation & Alternate Therapies

- Diploma of Education Support, TAFE Qld

Accreditations (assessment-based short-course / training) - Assisted Suicide Intervention Skills training [ASIST] (x2); Lifeline / Youth Line Telephone Counselling [course]; Gay & Lesbian Welfare Association Peer Telephone Counselling [course]; Trauma-Informed Certificate for Coaches; Polyvagal Theory in Practice; Somatic Therapy for Complex Trauma; Grief Treatment; CBT; DBT; Private Practice Management; Community Coach Training Program (x2); Literacy Professional Development; 

Certifications (non-assessed course / training) -
working with trauma; CBT; DBT; ACT; grief & loss; understanding traumatised children's behaviour; working alongside gender diverse clients; working with clients with autism spectrum disorders (neuro-divergence), cultural counselling therapy, and other relevant professional development trainings.

Contact Me...

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I acknowledge and honour the Turrbal and Jagera people as Traditional Owners and Custodians of Meanjin, the land on which I was born, live and work. I offer respect for country and the traditional peoples who have and do reside here, and pay my respects to Aboriginal Elders past, present and emerging. 

Small Steps Counselling is notcrisis counselling service.

If you are in need of emergency support, please call 000.

Other supports include:

Lifeline (24-hour crisis line) - 13 11 14

Women's Crisis Line - 1800 811 811

1800 Respect National Helpline - 1800 737 732

13 YARN - 13 92 76

QLife - 1800 184 527

Member no.

24081

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