Engaging and creative techniques in therapy

My Counselling Philosophy

 

I believe all people know what is best for them, therefore I do not make decisions for my client, but let the client reach their own understanding as part of the therapy journey.

No matter what your cultural background, level of education or skills you have, you have the same worth as anyone else and deserve to have joy in your life. As your counsellor, I encourage you to recognise your distinctiveness and appreciate your uniqueness in the world.

I respect your autonomy and am committed to maintaining your confidentiality.

 

Who I am as a Counsellor

My values of attending to you, empathising and accepting you are important. I am passionate about helping people make positive changes in their lives and I find that I am able to do that effectively through the creative therapies I employ.

Who I work with

I provide individual counselling for adults and children and facilitate creative workshops. I work with individuals who have experienced anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress and grief.

Who I can help

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I follow a rounded therapy approach where we explore your presenting problem from a holistic perspective and take into account all areas in your life. For example physical, social and family life issues are discussed and considered as they relate to your identified problems.

Everyone has different ways of processing their experiences, therefore I take into consideration what will suit you the best and adapt the counselling sessions to fit you and your needs.

I use a number of creative therapies as appropriate in my work such as Mindful Therapy, Art Therapy, Sandplay and Person Centered-therapy.

Counselling methods I use

  • Art Therapist Bayside Melbourne

    Creative Art Therapies

    Art Therapy uses art as a way of personal expression to communicate your feelings. Your skill in art is irrelevant. The focus is on the process, rather than the end result. This means you do not have to be artistic to benefit from art therapy.

  • Mindfulness

    Mindful Therapy

    Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity and without judgment. Taking notice of what or why we feel the way we do can help us focus, accept what’s going on, and look at the things from a different perspective.

  • Sandplay Therapy

    Sandplay is a nonverbal experiential form of therapy that touches preverbal level of the self. The confinement of the sand tray provides security, boundaries and a safe space to explore your inner and outer world.

Counselling FAQ’s

 

What is the difference between counsellors and psychologists?

Psychologists and counsellors are both mental health practitioners.

Counselling is a therapy aimed at helping people who are experiencing troubling psychological symptoms: that is, difficult thoughts and feelings (e.g. trauma, depression, anxiety) and undesirable behaviours, such as addiction, self-harm, etc. Counselling is a way of understanding and helping people get better by focusing on thoughts, feeling and resultant behaviours. Counsellors are highly skilled in applying integrative therapies. Integrative therapy focuses on the goals of the patient and family in the context of values, culture and community.

Counsellors help their clients to understand and cope with difficult issues and develop solutions to make changes to their lives. Usually engage clients for a short term to address a specific problem.

Psychologists are experts in human emotions, behaviours and mental health processes. They use scientific methods to study the elements that affect the way people think, feel and learn. They use evidence-based strategies to diagnose and treat mental illnesses non medicinally in an ongoing capacity.

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind (e.g. thoughts) and behaviour (e.g. actions), as well as our emotional states that interact with mind and behaviour. Psychology studies humans as well as animals, it is interested in the biological bases of mind and behaviour (i.e. the brain and nervous system), and takes in the influence of social and cultural processes on our thoughts and actions. It may or may not be interested in mental health. Psychology is essentially an investigative science, but can also be applied in many areas of life, such as education, clinical therapies, organisations, design, to name just a few. A psychologist’s scope of practice typically includes administration of a wide range of tests including IQ tests and tests of neurological function. Psychologists may administer tests to patients they do not see on a regular basis. Psychologists are more likely to work with individuals with serious mental illness.

Counselling Fee

Costs vary greatly and range from $100 to $150 a session. However, I am happy also to negotiate a fee based on your capacity to pay.

To book an appointment or to find out more call 0412 396 644