Hi my name is Danielle Waugh
and I am a Level 2 member of the Australian Counselling Association, which
means that I receive professional supervision, follow ethical practices and
engage in regular professional development as per the requirements of my
registration.

I have a Bachelor of Education and
Masters of Guidance and Counselling  (2012) which has led me on an interesting path
over the years, mostly working with parents and children in many different
circumstances and life experiences. I worked with adult NDIS clients as a support worker and Psychosocial Recovery Coach for 2 years. I welcome all who wish to be
supported on their healing journey and would be honoured to help.

Over the years, 
I have used an eclectic approach to counselling, generally to fit with
the needs of my clients, as of course we are all unique. I have developed an
appreciation for the need of different modalities to bring about change using
supportive, effective and evidence based approaches. Some approaches will suit
one person but be not as effective with another, for example cognitive approaches versus expressive approaches. Some clients feel more relaxed being able to sit and have a
yarn, others may need to be moving and do well to go for a walk in nature while
participating in a counselling session, others again may need some help to
express their unconscious messages through expressive therapies.

I have a Certificate of Sand play and Symbol work
(2019) which I have enjoyed seeing the benefits of, and throughout 2024, I have been training with the Equine
Psychotherapy Institute to gain qualifications in Animal Assisted Psychotherapy
which has a strong theory base in Gestalt Therapy. This beautiful counselling model
produced by Meg Kirby, applies Trauma Informed Practices, working with the
development of clients’ felt sense of safety, safe place resourcing, grounding,
and being in outer zone awareness.  The Equine Psychotherapy Institute
model requires animals to be natural, without certified intervention to restrict their
authentic responses to their human friends. I assure you my dogs are adorable
and safe to be around, if you wish to use this approach. Please use the following link to view more information
around this approach https://www.equinepsychotherapy.net.au/

Animal Assisted Therapy can assist
clients to be able to start to trust the wisdom of their own body, feelings and
whole being along with the support of animal wisdom and nature’s wisdom. It can
be utilised as a powerful tool for promoting mental and emotional well-being. This
modality, incorporates room-based therapy with nature based experiences, along
with our animal assistants. We can meet at the park or at the venue which ever
suits you!

Additionally, I worked for many years at
Relationships Australia in post-separation programs, then moved on to
counselling children and adolescents at UnitingCare where I did my best to guide
parents through the ups and downs of parenting life. These programs gave me a
strong understanding of the challenges of parenting, particularly after
separation and with domestic violence, and the long-term, legal struggles that
can entail. It gave me an insight into the difficulties, heartbreak and trauma
children face when witnessing parents fighting, losing a parent (to divorce) and
having to live out of two homes, which is my own personal parenting journey!.
It gave me a strong understanding of the impact of the dynamics of shared
parenting for all family members and how challenging it is for all when there
is domestic violence.