My Practice Passion
I started working in Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Specialist Services in Australia as a Trauma Counsellor before moving into private practice specializing in trauma therapy. I am passionate about my work with adults who have experienced DFV, sexual assault and complex childhood trauma.
I weave in a number of different therapeutic modalities and approaches but my main passion (or one might even say obsession) is with the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as a way to help people heal from trauma and attachment wounds. I am an EMDR Accredited Practitioner with EMDR Association of Australia which means I have met additional training, supervision, assessment and experience requirements. At the moment, I am proud to say that I am the only EMDRAA Accredited Practitioner within the Coffs Coast region.
I use the three-phase trauma recovery framework which was first described in Judith Hermann’s book on trauma and recovery (2001) and seek to work in a way that is neurobiologically sound, safe and attachment-informed. Trauma therapy is a complex and evolving field of study but ultimately, my clients are truly my best teachers, who have over the years patiently shown me what is completely unhelpful, what supports their healing and how they have survived and thrived despite what they have experienced. I am mindful that we will always go at a pace that is comfortable and feels safe for you.
Qualifications and Training
I have been practicing as a Mental Health Counsellor since 2009 and have more than 10,000 hours of counselling experience with adults, adolescents and children in varied settings.
I have facilitated trauma-informed group therapy programs and interventions for women affected by DFV and also delivered community education and engagement activities with key stakeholders such as NSW/QLD Police, Department of Communities and Justice, hospital clinicians and other community partners.
Education
Master of Counselling (Valedictorian) Swinburne University of Technology
EMDR Accredited Practitioner EMDR Association of Australia
attachment-informed EMDR Therapist EMDR Focus
Master Solution-Focused Practitioner International Alliance of Solution-Focused Teaching Institutes
Additional Training
Unleash your EMDR Part 1 & 2 (Working with Intergenerational Trauma, Parts & Dreams) EMDR Focus | Mark Brayne
Befriending Parts of Me: Preparation Techniques for Complex Trauma and Dissociation EMDR Therapy Training Australia
Advanced Topics in EMDR: Extending practice to work with Complex Trauma and Dissociation Dr Catherine Hynes
Skills in working with Male Family Violence Education Centre Against Violence
Licenses & certifications
Registered Level 4 member Australian Counselling Association
Registered Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator Circle of Security International
Completed Level 1 and 2 Clinical EFT Training EFT International
The Shark Cage Group Program Facilitator Ursula Benstead Consulting
Certified dot-b Mindfulness Teacher Mindfulness in Schools Project
Yoga Teacher Training Diploma Yoga Alliance, USA, 200 hours