Holistic Counselling 

 

As your therapist I offer a safe, client centered approach to every session. I will encourage you to experience new processes which may enable personal wisdom to surface. I strongly believe that we each hold our own answers to ease us away from the  'Stuck' feelings that we commonly experience. Often it is the process of witnessing our truths that enables transformation.

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I have experience working with P.T.S.D. , Complex P.T.S.D. anxiety, grief and loss,  psycho-somatic disorders,  and other life dilemmas. During our one hour private or 1.45 hr group sessions together, I will be by your side offering a safe

space to navigate a path to recovery. You may also choose to engage with Moon Shadow, my therapy dog.  I do not work in spousal or family relationship counselling, children or adolescent counselling.

 

I am practiced in the benefits of: 

 

The sessions will always be guided with your needs and preferences first and foremost. 

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Qualifications:

  • Bachelor in Holistic Counselling

  • Associate Degree Holistic Counselling

  • Advanced Diploma in Art therapy

  • Advanced Certification in Animal Assisted Psychotherapy

  • Cert Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competency

I have been working in private practice since 2012 During my counselling career I Have worked with a variety of  people in our community including  People experiencing refugee and displacement status, people experiencing homelessness, adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and people suffering with the affects of addiction from intravenous drug use. Most of these clients had experienced trauma and were in varying stages of recovery.

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Resume:

  • Psycho Education in Trauma Informed Care

  • Registered Mental Health Practitioner in Private Practice since 2012

  • Aged care working with people experiencing long term mental health issues and a recent, additional diagnosis of dementia 

  • Member of a mental health team at St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne

  • Art therapist consultant at an end of life hospice for chronically and terminally ill children. Very Special Kids

  • Art Therapist with in homelessness and intravenous drug use and other addictions. Inner Space

  • Speaker at the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Organisations

  • Speaker at the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse

  • Recipient of City of Hobson Bay Inspirational Woman’s Award 

  • Victorian coordinator of Survivors Australia - Support for Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

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I continue to be involved in community mental health education,

proactive in reducing mental health stigma and have contributed to improve Australian laws with regards to improvements in child abuse responses for future generations.

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"When we are true to our own values our lives will present less conflict in one's own thoughts, emotions and body felt experiences." (Natalie Rogers.)



 

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I am more than happy to wait in the cart while our client chooses some colour chips for a new creative project. I never get tired of hearing what a good girl I am.

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​© 2013 Art of Life with Mairead