Counselling Services
Discover a space for healing, personal growth, and reconnecting with your inner strength.
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Personalised Support Designed Just for You
Everyone’s journey is different, and the support you receive should reflect that.
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Trauma can profoundly impact how we view ourselves and the world around us. Together, in a safe and supportive space, we’ll gently explore the patterns and behaviors you’ve developed to cope. Our goal is to help you reconnect with your inner resilience and create healthier, more fulfilling ways of living.
I provide professional support and guidance for a wide range of issues and concerns.
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Together, we can create a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow.
Trauma and Complex Trauma
TRAUMA
Trauma refers to any experience that causes significant emotional, psychological, or physical harm, often leaving lasting effects. It can occur as a result of a single distressing event or a series of harmful experiences.
Common sources of trauma include accidents, natural disasters, sexual, physical or emotional abuse, loss of a loved one, or exposure to violence.
Trauma can overwhelm a person’s ability to cope with intense emotions, leading to ongoing emotional and psychological distress that may persist long after the event.
COMPLEX TRAUMA
Complex trauma typically involves prolonged or repeated exposure to traumatic events, often beginning in childhood. It is associated with experiences such as ongoing abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or growing up in an environment filled with instability and fear. Complex trauma can deeply impact a person’s sense of safety, trust, and self-worth.
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The effects of trauma and complex trauma can vary, but they often share similar patterns such as difficulty regulating emotions, challenges with building healthy relationships, and struggles with trust. Individuals may experience symptoms like anxiety, depression, dissociation, intrusive thoughts, and avoidance. In cases of complex trauma, the emotional and psychological consequences can be even more severe, often leading to chronic issues with self-esteem, emotional regulation, and long-term relational difficulties.
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Both types of trauma can result in a range of physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms. Healing from trauma, whether simple or complex, requires appropriate support in a safe environment to process and manage the effects of the trauma.
Trauma
The first step on your healing journey is to feel safe and trust the support around you. Traumatic experiences —such as sexual or physical assault, domestic violence, childhood abuse, bullying, loss, medical trauma, accidents or natural disasters —can deeply affect your sense of security and coping strategies. Trauma can also arise from cultural, intergenerational, war-related, refugee, or terrorism-related experiences, all of which have profound impacts. Trauma may manifest as intrusive thoughts, emotional triggers, avoidance, or dissociation. Establishing a therapeutic relationship built on trust and safety is essential for healing and recovery.
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While the trauma you have experienced cannot be undone, with support in a non-judgmental, safe environment, you can learn strategies to manage and regulate your emotions. Over time, the intensity of your pain can become more manageable.
Your healing journey is one that you can take at your own pace, feeling safe, heard, and validated every step of the way. Whether you're feeling isolated in your pain or if your loved ones have been affected by trauma, know that you are not alone. Reaching out provides a space to talk and learn ways to manage your pain.
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Healing is a process, and by seeking support, you can begin the path toward recovery at a pace that feels right for you.
Trauma
Childhood Trauma
Childhood trauma refers to any experience during childhood that causes significant emotional, psychological, or physical harm. This type of trauma can occur as a result of events such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, domestic violence, bullying, or the loss of a caregiver. It can also stem from experiences like witnessing violence, experiencing a natural disaster, or living through a difficult family situation such as parental substance abuse or mental illness.
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The effects of childhood trauma can be profound and long-lasting. It often disrupts key aspects of a child’s development, including their emotional well-being, cognitive abilities, and social relationships. Children who experience trauma may have difficulty understanding and expressing their emotions, and they might struggle with forming healthy relationships or trusting others. Trauma can also affect their ability to focus, learn, and regulate their emotions, potentially leading to behavioural problems like aggression or withdrawal. Childhood trauma can deeply affect a child's sense of safety, self-worth, and ability to navigate the world around them.
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Physically, childhood trauma can influence the development of the brain and the body's stress response system, which may result in ongoing health challenges, including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and trouble managing stress. Triggers related to past trauma can arise unexpectedly, evoking feelings of confusion and fear. The body often retains these unsafe emotions, but knowing that support is available and feeling safe can aid in healing. Developing strategies to manage these triggers is an important part of recovery. Childhood trauma can deeply impact a child’s sense of safety and self-worth, affecting how they interact with the world.
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Feelings of guilt, anger, and pain can become overwhelming, sometimes manifesting in behaviours like self-harm or eating disorders. Accessing the right support is crucial for healing and fostering personal growth. With the right support and intervention, children and adults can heal, build resilience, and develop healthier coping strategies.
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is any form of sexual activity or behaviour that occurs without the consent of one of the individuals involved. It is a violation of personal boundaries, and it can take many forms, including unwanted touching, groping, attempted or completed rape, or any other act of a sexual nature that is forced, coerced, or manipulated. Sexual assault can be physical, such as forced penetration or unwanted contact, or it can involve non-physical actions, such as verbal coercion, threats, or manipulation to engage in sexual acts.
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Sexual assault is a crime that can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background, and it is never the fault of the victim. It often leaves emotional, psychological, and physical scars that can last long after the assault itself. Victims may experience feelings of fear, shame, guilt, anger, and confusion, and may struggle with trust, self-esteem, and their sense of safety.
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The trauma from sexual assault can have long-lasting effects on a person’s mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. It is important for survivors to receive support, care, and understanding to heal and reclaim control over their lives.
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The impact of sexual assault is far-reaching, affecting a person’s mental, social, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The effects can be devastating, both in the short term and long term, influencing how one copes, as well as their sense of safety and trust.
Assault
Abuse
Child Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse is when someone involves a child or young person in a sexual activity by using their power over them or taking advantage of their trust.
Often children or young people are bribed or threatened physically and psychologically. Actions vary from non-contact viewing or exposure, to touching and/or penetration. Sexual abuse is a crime; it does not discriminate against socioeconomic backgrounds or culture. Victims frequently experience feelings of fear, guilt, pain, shame, and confusion, which can make it difficult for them to speak out. However, when children are believed and supported early, the long-term effects of trauma can be lessened.
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Child sexual abuse may affect various areas of a child’s development, including physical and motor development, social and emotional development, and cognitive and academic progress. The severity of the impact can depend on the child’s developmental age. For adolescents, past sexual experiences may re-emerge as they develop greater sexual and cognitive maturity.
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Effects can include:
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Nightmares and sleep disturbances
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Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
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Sexualised behaviours
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Struggles at school
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Difficulty making friends
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Feelings of loneliness, isolation, or being different
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Poor self-esteem and self-blame
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Difficulties in interpersonal relationships
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Confusion about sexual orientation
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Substance abuse
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Eating disorders
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Depression and anxiety
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Running away from home
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Aggressive or antisocial behaviour
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Anger directed at the non-abusing parent or caregiver
Counselling offers a safe space for processing complex and intense emotions, helping to facilitate positive change. Child sexual abuse affects the whole family and it is important everyone has access to support for healing. Through building trust and a sense of safety, I can help you develop strategies to regulate your emotions, offer a space to talk without judgment, and provide psychoeducation to understand why and how different feelings and emotions arise. Together, we can work on setting goals to support positive outcomes and healing.
Grief & Loss
Grief and loss are deeply personal experiences that arise when someone experiences the death of a loved one, the end of a significant relationship, or the loss of something such as a job, or someone important to them. While complex, the grief process can affect a person’s well-being, including their emotional, physical, mental, and social health.
When we grieve, we can experience feelings of sadness, sorrow, confusion, numbness, anger, guilt, or even relief, depending on the situation. There is no right or wrong way to grieve and there is no time limit. Grieving can be shaped by personality, beliefs, culture and the nature of the loss we experience. Physically, grief can take its toll and you may feel tired and exhausted, you may experience sleep disturbances, physical pain or changes in appetite.
Over time there can be healing however this can often be difficult. There are different ways to cope – you might find talking with friends and family comforting; doing activities you enjoy but it is important to take care of yourself by getting rest, eating well and exercising.
If you feel stuck in your grief, reaching out professionally to talk can be helpful to navigate your grief in the counselling space.
Loss
Anxiety
Anxiety
Feeling anxious can be a normal response to stress however when it becomes excessive it can disrupt focus and concentration in day to day life. Different types of anxiety include generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. There can be social and psychological factors that contribute to feeling anxious such as performing well at school or work, or worries around health or family.
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You may feel nervous, fearful, apprehensive or worry about things that cannot be controlled or are in the future.
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The ‘fight-or-flight’ response is typical when our adrenalin kicks in as a result of feeling threatened.
Physical symptoms may include feelings such as your heart racing, feeling dizzy or light headed, sweating, shaky, have shortness of breath or chest discomfort.
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There are a number of treatments available with psychological approaches being able to support you both short and long-term to manage and control your worries and thoughts that are getting in the way of your day to day life.
Depression
Depression is persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed.
Depression can affect how we think, feel and behave and can be triggered by a number of factors such as genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological.
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Physical symptoms can include changes in sleep and appetite, fatigue, or aches and pains. People with depression often experience difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and, in severe cases, thoughts of death or suicide. Depression is treatable with common treatment options including therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.
Self-Esteem and Body Image
Self-esteem refers to our sense of self-worth or value which is shaped by our beliefs, social interactions, achievements and our own perception of ourselves. When we have low self-esteem, this can lead to feelings of self-doubt, inadequacy, anxiety and depression.
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Body image is how we perceive our physical appearance and when this is negative, it can contribute to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
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By reaching out for support in a non-judgemental space, I can support you in improving your self-esteem, confidence, and emotional well-being.
Depression
Parenting
Parenting
Parenting or the role of being a carer, while rewarding can at times be challenging.
Recognising your own emotional state can support you in more effectively being able to tune into the needs of your child. Your child learns through you as they observe, listen and see how you respond to them and your own needs. As children grow and navigate milestones, you are the most important person that can guide them through life.
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I am here to support you in strategies to emotionally connect with your child, and provide a space to talk through any past, present or future concerns you may have.
Having facilitated parent groups delivering Tuning into Kids, Tuning into Teens, Triple P and protective behaviours, I have spoken to many parents who have found the benefit of not feeling alone and being able to express their feelings and concerns, believe in themselves, learning to effectively communicate and build on existing strengths and skills.
PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder)
PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) is a complex mental health condition that can develop after an individual experiences or witnesses a traumatic event with symptoms having been present for at least a month.
PTSD can affect both adults and children.
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Symptoms such as unexpected flashbacks of the traumatic experience, nightmares, numbness, avoidance of anything related to the trauma, negative perception, thoughts, feelings or views of self or the world, difficulties with trusting others, feeling on edge and challenges regulating emotions safely are some likely factors that may be present.
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The impact of PTSD can interfere with daily life including relationships with others, performance at work or school, sleep issues, understanding and regulating emotions safely.
PTSD
Relationships
Relationships
How we connect with the people around us can have a significant impact on how we feel.
Whether it’s the relationship between parent/carer and child, family and partner, friendships, professional connections, acquaintances, or relationships at work or school, it is important to feel respected, to respect others, and to be treated with dignity in our interactions.
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Healthy relationships improve our mood, mental health, self-esteem and overall well-being. Unhealthy relationships or situations where there is disrespect or a negative power imbalance can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, isolation or loneliness.
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Feeling heard, validated and respected can strengthen how we connect with others. If you are feeling stuck or uncertain about how to navigate your situation, don’t hesitate to reach out and talk about it.
Your Journey Starts Here
Healing is not a linear path—it’s a deeply personal process that unfolds in its own time.
I’m here to walk alongside you, to offer encouragement, and to help you rediscover the resilience and strength you already hold within.
Together, we can explore and address your concerns, supporting your journey toward healing and personal growth.