Psychotherapy
Approach
As a Gestalt psychotherapist I work collaboratively to raise awareness of the life themes that may be keeping the client stuck in patterns and behaviours that are no longer useful.
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Gestalt Therapy supports the client to move towards wholeness & wellness. The therapist and client work together to raise awareness of patterns, themes & relationships that are unfinished and with this awareness raising, enable more possibility for choice and change.
When someone identifies with their state of being, how they feel emotionally, how they experience their body, how they think, what they choose & how they behave the person gets in touch with their reality and from there they are able to move with understanding & flexibility. Working in a relational way with dialogue back and forth supported by empathy, curiosity and care drawing out experience and awareness.
Cultivating self-acceptance and curious observation whilst exploring ways of being that will
enrich and nourish your relationships with self and others and offer you more space and choicefullness to
move more freely in your life.
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My approach to therapy is to work collaboratively with you toward your chosen goals/direction, welcoming any and all parts of you with curiosity, compassion & creativity.
I compliment the work with evidence-based, trauma-informed therapies such as:
Internal Family Systems.
IFS is a trauma-informed model of therapy that I came across towards the end of my Master's in Gestalt. It immediately made sense to me and felt like the missing link that I didn't know I was missing, first personally then professionally.
For a more detailed description of Internal Family Systems click here.
​My approach is further informed by:
-Somatic practices
-Polyvagal theory
-Compassionate enquiry
-Mindfulness practices
-Expressive and experiential practices such as sandplay, symbol work & guided drawing
Psychotherapy is an organic & creative collaboration between the therapist and the client and therefore evolves uniquely for each client. I will work together with you where you are, strengthening a positive relationship with yourself, clarifying your needs and wants for greater authenticity and contentment in your life. Through open and honest conversations and contracted interventions you will explore thoughts, feelings & experiences to support, resource & connect you to your various parts and the healer within.
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Some elements for effective therapy outcomes include:
~ Client and therapist have a good working alliance- I suggest an initial session to feel whether we will be a good fit as this is foundational to ongoing work. Not everyone is a great fit but there will be someone who you will resonate with so keep shopping until you find someone you feel comfortable with. You are worth finding what works for you!
~ Cultivating safety- Though it is dependant on the intention and complexity of issues, cultivating safety on a autonomic nervous system level can take up to 10 sessions according to Stephen Porges, origins of Polyvagal Theory. I believe good therapy is slow therapy.
~ Honest, open communication allows for genuine, and authentic relating and therefore change within the therapeutic alliance. At the same time if you are not feeling a resonance or that you are benefiting from your sessions talking about it with your therapist can support moving closer toward what your needs are.
~ In between sessions reflection can be valuable to integrate the in-session work. Journaling, creative outlets, processing with a trusted friend, reflecting while walking are some of the ways that bring the work into your conscious awareness allowing for the process of integration.
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Why come for therapy?
There are many reasons why people seek out counselling and psychotherapy for themselves:
~ Low mood or depression
~ Low self-esteem or confidence
~ Negative thinking
~ Navigating relationships diificulties
~ Managing emotions
~ Thoughts of death, suicide, or self-harm
~ Anger management
~ Anxiety, worries, or panic
~Traumatic experiences and PTSD
~ Body image concerns or disordered eating
~ Grief, loss, and physical illness
~ Stress
~ Increased support during transitions or times of difficulty and challenge
~ Issues related to adoption
~ Issues related to betrayal
~ Parenting support
~ Navigating co-parenting
~ CPTSD
Currently I offer individual counselling working with adults & teens.
I also run an online art process group once a month and will be running various interest based groups.
Get in touch to be on the list if this is of any interest to you.
Acknowledgment to country
I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where I live and work, the lands
of the Arakwal, Minjungbal, Widjabul Wia-bal and Nyangbal people of the Bundjalung nation.
And where I was born and raised , the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation.
I pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging. I acknowledge, revere
and celebrate the wisdom, stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who live and work on the land. I acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.