My Background
I am an educator and a counsellor, having worked in education for 30 years and as a paediatric counsellor for 8 years in both Australia and Bali, Indonesia. I am a registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association (Level 2) and the International Institute for Complementary Therapists, and I have a Master of Education and a Diploma of Counselling as part of my major studies. I have completed further studies in Family Therapy, Child-Centred Play Therapy, Children’s Yoga with a focus on Yoga Therapy, Child Development and Effective Parenting, ACT Therapy, Mindfulness Therapies, Polyvagal Theory, and Interpersonal Neurobiology. I am an accredited International Children’s Mindfulness Teacher, Meditation Teacher and Somatic Therapist. I am an Executive Contributor to Brainz Magazine, writing on the topics of parenting and children's mental health/wellbeing.
I have a passion for learning and have become dedicated to researching how our body stores trauma and the emotional, psychological, cognitive and physical impacts of this on children and adolescents. I use the concepts of Polyvagal Theory and Interpersonal Neurobiology daily in my work which, in everyday language, simply means that we explore how the brain and the body, via the nervous system hold onto and respond to trauma.
My therapeutic style
I have a deep belief that all behaviour is a child or adolescent’s way of communicating what is happening in their internal world. Through our therapeutic work together, I support children in exploring their internal world, developing a deeper understanding and awareness of what they are experiencing, and creating healthier ways to communicate their needs and challenges. My approach is person-centred, holistic and is tailored to meet the unique needs of each child or young person. I support children in discovering their unique strengths to develop self-efficacy and self-worth in a safe, connected and caring environment.
