Background

• Individual adult counselling and therapy – e.g. anger, anxiety, grief & depression, motivational, isolation, panic attacks, childhood abuse, trauma, domestic violence, family and relationship issues, study and work-related issues. • Couples’ counselling 7 ½ years – e.g. relationship issues, abuse and violence, affairs, intimacy, family and children’s issues. • FIFO issues – Couples counselling, individual and relationship issues, My own 6 years working in the Kimberley with FIFO with a family in Perth. • Children counselling and therapy – ADHD, separation and divorce, bullying, child abuse, reactive and impulsive behaviour, trauma and family issues, medical. • GP Down South Mental Health - community mental health counselling • Families and mental health counselling • Remote Senior Mental Health Clinician, WACHS CAMHS 6 years - Parent-child, children and adolescents counselling and therapy – e.g. anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, grief and loss, depression, Autism, ADHD, psychosis, prodromal psychosis, mutism, violence and abuse, dissociation, schizophrenia, trauma, attachment issues, suicide/self-others-harming, family of origin, grief and trauma, complex morbidity, Eating Disorders ARFID Family-Based Therapy, attachment and foster care, triage hospital work. • Men’s groups and counselling - domestic violence – men’s anger, jealousy and control issues, verbal abuse and violence, conflicts. Counselling with women. • School Counselling - Parent-child, children and adolescents counselling and therapy – e.g. anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, sexuality, inappropriate sexual behaviour, grief and loss, depression, Autism, ADHD, suicide/self-harming • Private Practice Parents-Children (Mental Health Care Plans, 5-13 years) 3 years – e.g. anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, grief and loss, depression, Autism, ADHD, Parent-child issues, trauma, attachment issues

Qualifications

Therapeutic Approach

My professional experience includes working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families across the developmental lifespan in bio-psychosocial and familial contexts, which has enabled me to witness what happens in people’s lives, how things affect them and has given me insight and experience into how best for me to work with people. My professional development in evidenced-based practice, supervised practice with experienced professionals, and my professional experience in counselling and therapy has enabled me to provide well-regarded outcomes in working with people. As a counsellor/therapist I have an exceptional ability to listen, for clients to feel heard and for me to be able to recall this information during the counselling/therapeutic process. Combined with my innate abilities has been the development and integration of counselling and therapy skills, including Couple Counselling skills, Systemic Family Therapy/Family Based skills, and focused psychological strategies and therapies. My witnessing and believing in the capacity of individuals and couples to overcome difficulties in their lives and find strengths to create better lives for themselves, has also been another inspiration that has drawn me to working with people in a counselling and therapeutic way.

Client Experience

Generally, most times people are usually able to cope and manage issues in their life, resolve issues and move forward in their lives. However, there can be times when people have been trying to overcome an issue for a while and are unable to resolve the situation, they might seek support through talking to someone or counselling. Making a choice to move beyond the discomfort to resolve the issue takes courage, which is more likely to result in something positive. Considering a counsellor, therapist or person who resonates with the client’s theory of change is important. Carl Rodgers emphasizes the importance of empathy, unconditional positive regard, non-judgementalism and congruence between the therapist and client, creating a supportive environment for personal growth. Finding the right counsellor or person to talk to is an important part of this process, in which there is confidentiality and the building of trust and a therapeutic relationship.