I am an experienced mental health professional who has worked in clinical, management and research roles over the past 25 years in the Health and Community sectors. I have worked extensively in a wide range of counselling and therapeutic services, including Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, individual and family counselling, alcohol and other drugs counselling, problem gambling, men’s behavioral change programs, and in the mental health field. I am also a clinical supervisor and clinical educator who provides mindfulness, attachment-based and trauma-informed training to groups and organisations.
I draw on various approaches, including Focused Psychological Strategies (FPS), to suit the specific needs of my clients, but have particular interest in holistic, mind-body integrative principles along with mindfulness and trauma informed approaches such as Somatic Experiencing. The therapy I offer supports my clients in developing meaning from their losses and afflictions, integrating these experiences and subsequently developing happier and more fulfilled ways of living and being in the world.
I have a bachelor of Social Work (Honours), Diploma in Buddhist Informed Psychotherapy, Bachelor of Fine Art, professional training in Art Therapy and EMDR, and I am certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP).
My Personal Journey
My journey in personal development and therapy started early, working with a psychologist and psychotherapist as an adolescent. My ongoing commitment to personal development, psychotherapy and training has continued over many years until now. This process has assisted me to make sense of and heal childhood adversities, as well as to understand the complexities of the human experience and to become a present, supportive, compassionate and consistent psychotherapist.
I have also explored various mindfulness practices since my early 20s and have been a committed Zen Buddhist student for 20 years. Having cultivated an embodied presence over many years and being deeply committed to accompanying and supporting my clients on their unique journeys of recovery, healing, personal growth, and transformation, facilitates a process and space of empowerment and emotional regulation for my clients where they are able to actualise their fullest potential.
I live and work in Central Victoria (Castlemaine and Bendigo area) in Dja Dja Wurrung country and provide face to face and online (zoom) sessions to Melbourne, interstate and overseas clients.