About me
"The non-directive attitude is psychologically profound; it is not a technique..with time, self-examination and therapy experience, it becomes an aspect of the therapist's character.
It represents a feeling of profound respect for the constructive potential in persons and great sensitivity to their vulnerability.
Therapy is an art. As an art, it involves freedom within
great discipline."
— Barbara Temaner Brodley —
I hold an Honours degree and Diploma in Person-centred counselling from Middlesex University, completing my training at the highly respected Metanoia Institute in London. I have since done many hours of training specialising in grief, loss and end of life (or 'death doula') work. I see life as a series of transitions and changes that affect everyone, and at one stage or another we may all need some help to traverse the difficult territory we find ourselves in.
My gift is in working with people who are often feeling 'stuck' or may be in a dark or very 'murky' part of their journey, including those experiencing ageing, disability or are at the end of their life. I have been told my presence and deep listening enables others to find their feet in the midst of great uncertainty.
"It is the client who knows what hurts, what directions to go,
what problems are crucial and what experiences have been deeply buried"
— Carl Rogers —
Being truly heard, understood with empathy, and not judged is the type of listening which is the most therapeutic, but is unfortunately rarely found. As a Person-centred counsellor, I offer you a safe, non-judgemental, and understanding space to explore. I won’t analyse you, tell you what to do, or make decisions for you – what I will do is support you while we explore your particular situation so you can find more clarity, peace and a way forward which feels right for you.
"We can’t travel with others in territory that we haven’t explored ourselves."
— Frank Ostaseski —
Training at Metanoia involved a requirement for many hours of our own therapy to develop our capacity to be with others in difficult emotional territory. So I've also felt the nervousness of meeting my own counsellors for the first time, as well as what it is like to put your trust in another person in the therapy process. The most important thing I’ve learned from my therapists - to hold a deep respect for the person and their ability to find new meaning and hope from their own unique experience and internal frame of reference.
After studying in the UK, I went on to work in a number of settings in London, including a student counselling service and a domestic abuse service - delivering counselling directly to their local communities and situated in some of the most deprived areas of London. I also worked in private practice where I saw clients with a wide range of issues and from very diverse backgrounds; including many women who had recently emigrated to the UK, women who identified as lesbian, bisexual and/or queer, and ranging in age from 21 through to women in their 70s.
I am a member of, and abide by the code of ethics and practice issued by, the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). I am supervised by a qualified supervisor as part of my commitment to ethical practice.
I also hold a current first aid certificate, police check and I am fully insured.
