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“Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.” Dinah Maria Mulock Craik
About Me
I am an AASW Mental Health Accredited Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in counselling, management, professional supervision, and NGO executive leadership. I am excited to be offering online individual professional supervision and consultancy services.
My professional journey first began as a hospital social worker, after which I worked for nearly two decades in trauma recovery and healing with survivors of refugee-related torture and trauma. For ten of those years, I took on the rewarding role of professional supervisor; guiding individual and group supervision while also developing frameworks for practice and reflective supervision within the organisation. Working with families escaping persecution and violence has shaped my personal and professional life. It has revealed the power of the therapeutic process, as well as humankinds' courageous capacity for healing from the devasting impacts of complex trauma and loss. This work also unexpectedly led me to the joyful and profound world of expressive therapy with children and postgraduate studies in play therapy.
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I've also worked as a clinician at a local Child and Youth Mental Health Service, supporting children, young people, and families facing significant mental health challenges. As my practice focused more and more on the younger age groups, my passion for the perinatal space blossomed. I recognise this precious time as filled with both vulnerability and immense potential for both caregivers and infants. This inspired me to pursue further postgraduate studies again; this time in perinatal and infant mental health.
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It has been humbling to sit alongside clients and supervisees through their challenges, but also a true delight to witness their growth and transformation.
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I’m committed to nurturing my own mental health and well-being enjoying walks with my dog, cherishing family time, and indulging in dark chocolate and cups of tea while watching kookaburras from my back deck.
Areas of Practice ​
Counselling and client advocacy across the age span including:
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Complex trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, interpersonal, difficulties, developmental delays, neurodiversity, self-harm and suicidal ideation
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Play-based approaches with children
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Psychologically focused strategies for private practice
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Cross cultural practice
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Trauma responsive leadership and management
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Perinatal and Infant Mental Health
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Transition to pregnancy and parenting
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Postnatal depression and anxiety
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Infant attachment and bonding
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Birth trauma
Professional Supervision for
Individuals
My Supervision Approach
Supervision is necessary. I believe that supervision is essential to maintaining effective, ethical and sustainable practice.
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​Supervision is reflective. My role is to facilitate your reflection on your responses, thoughts and feelings in your practice, as well as the presentations of clients. It is from this place of greater understanding that self-awareness, decision-making capacity and person-centred focus is enhanced.
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Supervision is a pause. It is where you can take a breath to stretch yourself, share authentically and think deeply about your work and yourself in it.
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Supervision is co-created. I will work with you to decide what will be most useful in supervision to support your practice and professional growth. I understand that as a professional that you will have priorities for discussion, and unique abilities and knowledge. I will listen deeply and with curiosity so together we can discover new understandings and possible ways forward in the work.
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Supervision is courageous exploration. Drawing on my training and passion in attachment theory, I will act as a secure base from which you can explore the areas which are most important to you. I believe that when a “safe enough” space is created, we are growth oriented and can make the best use of our capabilities. I will share practice wisdom and feedback when needed to ensure quality practice. This will be offered with sensitivity and kindness. I will always appreciate your courage in having these conversations and feel privileged that I too am learning alongside you.
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Supervision is restorative. In our roles assisting people to grow and heal, we too are changed. I will support you to mitigate against any negative impacts and also celebrate your clients' progress and your own growth. I aim to encourage your own self-nourishment.
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Supervision Topics
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Ethical dilemmas and practice conundrums
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Trauma responsive practice which upholds dignity & human rights
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Adapting theory and learning into practice
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Case formulation and planning
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Trauma informed leadership, workplace issues and team dynamics
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Growing into your own authentic professional identity
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Professional limits and relationships
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Critical incident de-briefing
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Workplace losses, changes, transitions & heartaches
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Recognising biases/assumptions & reflecting on points of identification
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Identifying areas for growth & professional development
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Sustainable practice & managing the impacts of the work, including world weariness, compassion fatigue, moral injury & vicarious trauma
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Workplace joy & resilience