Relationship Counsellor

In my work as a relationship counsellor, I view the relationship in the room as my client. I aim to create a space for both voices and perspectives to be heard and felt understood in a safe and judgment free environment. The value of being seen and understood cannot to underestimated. In relationships, while we don’t have to agree on everything, we can still feel heard and acknowledge.

I started my career supporting new parents and care givers in their life transition to parenthood. Having gone through birth trauma myself and struggling to find a new norm in my own relationship with my husband, finding the space to understand together our perspectives and dig deeper into our struggles and vulnerabilities opened up the window to a renewed, closer relationship. My upbringing and personal relationship struggles are no different to other relationships. It is though lived experience of help seeking and growth that I believe I am able to normalise the very real struggles people are facing and offer an empathic experience. Inspired to drive change, I have shifted my focus in attending to the heart of everything – relationships; siblings, colleagues, couples, husbands and wives, partners regardless of gender, race, or relationship status.

Working with me

Clients often say it’s easier to have difficult conversations when there is a third perspective offered in the room. I am honoured to sit in that space with my clients witnessing the raw openness they show in sessions. When connections are made to individual struggles and their relationship, it can be transformative for the person, relationship and their external relationships. I work collaboratively with my clients, setting clear goals and working at their pace. Often relationship goals and cognitive or emotional needs may differ. That is very normal and talking about the difference in the room is part of the process.

I love what I do! Being able to hold space for a relationship and seeing the incremental changes along the way fuels my passion for this work. Creating space for breakthroughs and new understandings in a relationship can be lifechanging. My passion for a deeper understanding of relationship dynamics helps me continually dive deeper and learn more about human interactions, techniques and ways I can help my clients. Some areas I have helped my clients improve their relationship include communication, trust and intimacy issues, life transitions, separation and pre-marital counselling.

Some of my main philosophies when working with client relationships include:

– Connection is key. The two people in the room need to connect with me as a counsellor for any work to be productive.
– Both people in the room matter, they are part of the relationship and I prioritise holding space for both individuals.
– The past plays out in the present. In order to know where we want to go, we need to understand how we got to where we are today. Relationship and personal history matter.
– All relationships have strengths and ‘newsworthy’ moments. We highlight these relationship positives and use them in our work.
– Treatment, interventions and strategies are tailored to the goals of each individual relationship.

My qualifications and memberships

I am a fully insured and qualified counsellor, a registered member of the Australian Counselling Association, with a degree in Master of Counselling qualification specializing in couples therapy, and a Graduate Diploma in Counselling. While my work focuses on a two-person relationship, often couples, I also see individuals who are wanting to work on a relationship difficulty.

“Taking the steps to counselling can be hard, but we CAN do hard things.