Professional Counsellor & Wellness Practitioner
SERVICES
Welcome to Life Matters: Counselling & Wellness Solutions
I am a qualified Counsellor who assists individuals & couples through a myriad of concerns, issues and problems that exist in everyday life.
I graduated in December 2006 and have been in private practice since January 2007, originally based at Wheelers Hill in Melbourne. At the end of 2008 I relocated to Brisbane, Queensland where I ran my private practice as well as consulted for two natural therapies and counselling centres.
am trained in many traditional counselling therapy types, such as Cognitive Behaviour, Solution Focused, Client Centred, Narrative, Gestalt and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy; often using a combination to achieve the best results for my clients. Most people would say this was 'traditional' counselling.
I believe in treating the 'whole' person and as I have always had an interest in 'east and west' methodologies and philosophies, I studied a number of additional (often times referred to as complimentary) modalities as part of my initial training. These included aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Body Mind Medicine, Aromatherapy, Homoeopathy and Kinesiology. Separate to this I underwent training in Seichim Reiki and Meditation. I use my knowledge and training in these areas to compliment my work as a counsellor however will always refer to professionally qualified experts in these fields including therapists in the local area and those I have worked with in the past, including a Naturopath.
Availability:
Monday to Saturday by appointment.
Sessions generally run between an hour and an hour and a half.
About Counselling
Who would visit a Counsellor?
Men, Women and Children of all ages, backgrounds and cultures; Couples of the opposite and same sex and Families of all shapes, sizes and configurations.
To date, I have seen children as young as four come to counselling as well as senior adults in their seventies and eighties.
What for?
To talk first of all. Most of the time, people just want to talk about something that is bothering them now or has been bothering them for quite a while. Sometimes talking to a friend or family member is either not possible or may be too awkward, scary or difficult. Sometimes, you just need to talk to someone impartial, who doesn't know you and is not bias. Counselling gives you the opportunity to tell your story, at your own pace, in a confidential and empathic setting to someone who won't judge you and is genuinely here to listen and help.
Talking to a counsellor helps you get clarity on a particular situation, it can help you gain a better understanding of yourself and your relationships; it can help you work out your current problems and it can help you deal with issues of the past which often affect us in the present. It can also help you set a desired course for the future you ultimately desire and deserve.
Why would you bother talking?
Sometimes we just need to feel heard. Sometimes we just need to know that someone will give us the time to listen and not interrupt, or tell us what to do or what we should do, think or feel; but instead really listen and then, using a variety of skills & techniques and working collaboratively, the issues become clarified and self-awareness is increased.
What’s my philosophy?
To help clients in a sincere, empathic and collaborative way; to explore their issues, find their own solutions and empower themselves.
To provide a supportive and healing environment during the process.
To work holistically with clients, incorporating mind, body and spirit.
Common issues include:- Anger and/or stress related issues,
- Anxiety/depression/low self-esteem.
- Confusion/conflict resolution.
- Communication difficulties.
- Family of origin and upbringing issues.
- Relationship difficulties.
- Issues of Grief & Loss.
- Drug/Alcohol/Gambling/Eating Abuse.
- Life transition changes such as marriage, step-families, separation or divorce.
- Personal development & self-growth.
- School or Workplace bullying.
- Parenting issues/ageing issues.
- Men’s & Women’s Health.
- Emotional processing & release.
- Issues of abuse.
Qualifications
- Voc. Graduate Diploma in Counselling (Family Therapy) Current study
- Certificate IV in Training & Assessmt. (Current study)
- Specialist Course in Couple Therapy
- Diploma of Health Science:
- Holistic Counselling Practices
- Diploma of Health Counselling
- Certificate in Medical Terminology
- Diploma of Regression Therapy
- Various Professional Development Courses
- First Degree Seichim Reiki
- Advanced Bush Flower Practitioner
- Learn to Meditate
- Fitness Leader
Memberships & Other:- Member Australian Institute of
Professional Counsellors - Member International Institute of
Complimentary Therapists - Holder of “Working with Children” Card
- Holder National Police Check
Where is the practice located?
Life Matters: Counselling & Wellness Solutions is located at the Water's Edge Business Centre, 1 Greville Street in Caroline Springs, within walking distance of the Town Centre, directly opposite Lake Caroline. It is on the corner of The Esplanade and Greville Street.
Is there car parking?
There is car parking directly outside the practice as well as additional off-street parking in both Greville Street and The Esplanade.
What about availability?
Counselling sessions are available by appointment, Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm and on Saturday from 9am to 6pm. If however, you require a session outside of these hours, please advise me to arrange something mutually suitable.
How long is a counselling session?
With some counsellors or psychologists, a session can sometimes run for only 50 minutes. However, at Life Matters, it is our normal practice that a first session runs for approximately an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half and further follow up sessions for approximately an hour and a quarter. It is important to allow enough time for your sessions, as sometimes important issues are only discovered well into the hour, and the extra time is required to continue the discussion adequately. However, our sessions are not charged by time. So even though your session may take extra time, you will only ever pay for the 'session' fee and not an 'hourly' fee.
Couple counselling is slightly different. With two people involved, more time is required to allow each person to adequately discuss their troubles and issues. So in this instance, our sessions generally run for an hour and a half each time. However, like individual sessions, we do not charge on a 'time' basis. It is a set 'session' fee.
Is the session confidential?
Absolutely. Each session is private and confidential. The information gathered during each session is for the purposes of assessment and treatment which helps us provide the best possible support for you. However, there are limitations to confidentiality. These limits apply if it is considered that there is an immediate risk of harm to either yourself, as the client, or another identified person (or property), or if a client's file is subpoenaed by a court of law.
What are the fees?
To try and cater to everyone in the community, Life Matters: Counselling & Wellness Solutions offers two types of fee structures.
1. 'General' Sessions:
This is for Men or Women individually - $75 per session.
Couple Counseling (for 2 people in a couple) - $95 per session.
2. 'Low Cost Counselling":
This is a new service now available for anyone who finds themselves in
one of the following categories:
High School Students: $30
Ideally targetted at Years 10, 11 and 12
University Students: $40
Single Mum's & Dad's: $40
Seniors: $45
We are very proud to be able to offer these low cost counselling services in an effort to try and make our professional services as cost effective and as accessible as possible to the community at large.
QUALIFICATION DETAILS
Counselling, Flower Essences
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