About Me
Perinatal Counselling and Arts Therapy
Hello and welcome!
Have you been affected by an experience of birth, pregnancy, trauma or parenthood?
Are you feeling like your spirit is broken, you are drowning in a sea of uncertainty, and you don't know what to do?
I hear you, I see you and I can help you.
Together we will work through ways to find resolutions so that you can begin to heal and enjoy life again.
I am a registered Counsellor, and also trained in Arts Therapy so if you find it difficult to express what you are experiencing verbally we can find other creative ways of working together.
I am the owner of The ART of SHE which provides a respectful, non-judgemental, and safe space for women, children, and families to be supported through challenges around birthing, pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood.
I draw from my university training, my vast experience working in the social justice sector, managing various mental health facilities, and my fundamental belief in the power of a person-centered approach using Counselling and Arts Psychotherapy to manage challenging emotions.
I am a mother of two beautiful adult children, married, have a wealth of life experience, and have dedicated my lifelong passion to working in the mental health and wellbeing sector. I have worked in a variety of places including, postnatal mother and baby services, women's health centres, women's transitional housing, non-government organizations, schools, and community mental health settings.
My journey into parenthood wasn't an easy path having experienced, loss, birth trauma, and also postnatal depression. This led me to enrol into university and commit to life-long learning and education. Some thirty years later I am still passionate about supporting people experiencing distress and guiding them to a place of happiness.
After working in services for 20 years I decided to resign from my management role to pursue further study to commence private practice. My experience in the Mental Health sector with the recognition of the need for more trauma-informed support has motivated me to pursue private practice.
Life throws many ups and downs and I believe in having the freedom to feel, express, reflect, and develop insights. In my journey, I've experienced the power of Counselling and Arts Therapy in healing which led to an increase in my self-awareness and growth. To compliment my creative passion the practice of regular meditation coupled with spending time with nature has been significant to my general well-being.
As a qualified therapist, my work is not about fixing people's challenges, rather I focus on facilitating your journey or your child's journey through a collaborative Counselling and or Arts Psychotherapy process.
My Approach
I am professionally trained and registered with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
The first session will provide a discussion of the process, including details such as session timings, paperwork, how we can work together to achieve a positive working relationship, confidentiality, etc. I will also explain my psychotherapeutic approach so that you have a good understanding of the process. From there we will work toward gaining a clearer understanding of the issues that are of concern to you and continue to work together.
My Qualifications
- Post Natal Depression Facilitator Training ( KEMH 1998)
- BA Soc Sc. (ECU 2004)
- Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Course (2007)
- Diploma of Counselling (AIPC 2007)
- Narrative Therapy Course (Dulwich Centre 2016)
- Diploma of Arts Psychotherapy (2020 Ikon Institute)
- Certificate in Initiatic Art Therapy (Sensorimotor Institute 2020)
- Certificate on Clayfield Therapy (Sensorimotor Institute 2022)
- Sand tray/Play Certificates (Open Gate 2020)
- Yoga Nidra Facilitator (Prana House 2021)
- Play Therapy - Interplay Facilitator (2023)
- Rise Up Supervision Training (ACA 2023)
- COPE Centre of Perinatal Excellence (2024)
My Services
- Counselling
- Arts Psychotherapy
- Integrated Sand Therapy
- Clayfield (for emotional regulation)
- Women's Groups
- Expressive Arts Workshops