Since I started working as a counsellor in 1996, I have worked with families, couples, individuals, parents and children. For seven years I combined my psychotherapy work with helpline counselling for children and parents. Currently in my private practice, I work with adult individuals and couples.

My work is inspired by my interest in the complexity and challenges of human relationships, as well as my curiosity of who we are and the mystery of existence itself.

Alongside my counselling work and exploration of different Western experiential forms of psychotherapy, I am also deeply interested in awareness meditations and Eastern philosophies as a form of understanding and exploring life. I have been a meditation practitioner since 1995.

Based on my combined interest in Western psychotherapy and Eastern philosophy and meditation practices, I have been studying and practicing Hakomi since 2002. Hakomi, is a Mindfulness Based Body Oriented Psychotherapy.

I am a Certified Hakomi Therapist, as well as a Certified Hakomi Trainer with the Hakomi Pacifica Team, teaching at the Sydney professional training program. I’m also the Brisbane Organiser of Hakomi Events. As well as being steeped in the Hakomi method, I'm also trained in Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy.

Outside of my professional life, I have an interest in sustainable living, including growing my own food. I also enjoy nature walks and reading Scandinavian novels.

Professional Affiliations, Qualifications & Experience

Associations

Hakomi International Institute

Australian Counselling Association 

International Institute for Complementary Therapists

Qualifications

Certified Hakomi Trainer, Hakomi Institute, Boulder Colorado – 2019

Certified Hakomi Teacher, Hakomi Institute, Boulder Colorado – 2013

Certified Hakomi Therapist, Hakomi Institute, Boulder Colorado – 2009

Accredited Provider - Triple P - 2008

Accredited LifeLine Telephone Counsellor - 2006

Work Experience

Psychotherapy

Private Practice, Brisbane, 1996 – present

Counselling

Private Practice, Brisbane, 1996 – present

BoysTown, Brisbane, 2005 – 2012

LifeLine, Brisbane, 2003-2006

Instructor/Facilitator

Trainer, Hakomi Institute Pacifica Team, 2019 - present

Teacher, Hakomi Institute Pacifica Team, 2013 - 2019

Teacher in Training, Hakomi Institute Pacifica Team, 2011 - 2013

Tutor, Hakomi Institute Pacifica Team, 2006 - 2009

Co-Facilitator, Couples Group Relationship Skills, Brisbane, 1994 -1996

Trainings, Courses & Workshops

Innate Somatic Intelligence Trauma Therapy Approach, Manuela Mischke-Reeds - Embody Wise - 2022

Disarming the Narcissistic Personality, Wendy Behary - Mind Body Training Institute - 2021

Somatic Experiencing - Professional Training ADV, Somatic Experiencing Australia - 2019-2020

Touch Skills for Therapists, Kathy Kain, Somatic Experiencing Australia - 2018-2019

Somatic Experiencing - Professional Training INT, Somatic Experiencing Australia - 2018-2019

The Joy of Re-Connection, Jules Morgaine, Hakomi Institute - 2018

Somatic Experiencing - Professional Training BEG, Somatic Experiencing Australia - 2017-2018

Building Fluency in the SE Language, Anthony Twig Wheeler, Somatic Experiencing Australia - 2017

Nondual Psychotherapy - The Ultimate Medicine, Peter Fenner, The Relational Institute - 2016

Tapping The Intelligence of The Body, Jules Morgaine, Hakomi Institute – 2016

The Science of Love - Crating Connections That Heal, Karen Baikie, Hakomi Institue - 2016

The Challenge of Connection, Jules Morgaine, Hakomi Institute – 2015

From Trauma to Dharma, Manuela Mischke Reeds, Hakomi Institute - 2014

Hakomi in the Fishbowl, Manuela Mischke Reeds, Hakomi Institute - 2014

Barriers to Change: Exploring Stuck Places, John Perrin, Hakomi Institute – 2014

Emotionally Focused Therapy Training, Dr. Jennifer Fitzgerald, Relationships Australia – 2013

Attending to Attachment, Julie Murphy, Hakomi Institute – 2013

The Character Waltz, Jules Morgaine, Hakomi Institute – 2013

Love, Intimacy & Being in Touch, Suhari Mommsen-Bohm, Hakomi Institute - 2012

The Re-creation of the Self, Jon Eisman, Hakomi Institute – 2012

In and Out of Character, Jules Morgaine, Hakomi Institute – 2012

Stress, Resilience & Mental Health, Ed Tronick – 2012

Wired for Love, Stan Tatkin – 2012

The Psychophysiology of Shame, Manuela Mischke Reeds, Hakomi Institute - 2011

The Body Remembers, Babette Rothschild - 2011

Exploring Character Styles, Jules Morgaine, Hakomi Institute – 2011

Polyvagal Theory, Dr Stephen Porges – 2011

The Essential Self in Psychotherapy, Greg Johanson, Hakomi Institute - 2011

New Directions in Trauma Mindfulness, Dr John Briere – 2011

Mindfulness & The Body, Jules Morgaine, Hakomi Institute – 2011

Recovering & Expanding Erotic Life, Halko Weiss & Maci Daye, Hakomi Institute - 2011

Training for the Treatment of Trauma Level I, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute, 2010 – 2011

Meetings in Mindfulness, Hakomi Institute – 2010

Right Use of Power, Cedar Barstow, Hakomi Institute – 2010

Embodies Mindfulness in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Manuela Mischke-Reeds,

Hakomi Institute – 2010

Experiential Disidentification reunion, Halko Weiss, Hakomi Institute, 2009

Trauma Attachment and the Body, Pat Ogden – 2009

Essential Connection in the Therapeutic Relationship, Julie Murphy, Hakomi Institute – 2009

Level 4 - Group Indigenous Triple P - 2009

Level 3 - Primary Care Stepping Stones Triple P – 2009

Level 4 - Standard Stepping Stones Triple P - 2008

Level 3  - Primary Care Teen Triple P - 2008

Level 3 - Primary Care Triple P – 2008

Experiential Approaches to Brief Therapy, Dr. Jeffrey K. Zeig – 2008

Experiential Disidentification reunion, Halko Weiss, Hakomi Institute, 2008

Intimacy, Death and Relationships, Process Oriented Psychology – 2008

Introduction to Symbol Work, Mark Pearson, Expressive Therapies Institute Australia – 2008

New Developments in the Hakomi Method, Ron Kurtz, Hakomi Institute - 2007

Making Changes Last, Dr. Jeffrey Kottler - 2007

Experiential Disidentification, Halko Weiss, Hakomi Institute, 2006-2007

Mental Health Assessment of Aboriginal Clients & Working with Suicidal and Depressed Aboriginal Clients, Dr Tracy Westerman, Indigenous Psychological Services - 2006

Professional Training in Hakomi Body Oriented Psychotherapy, Hakomi Institute, 2003 – 2006

The Secret Language of Intimacy, Dr Robert G. Lee, Gestalt Association QLD – 2005

Telephone Counselling Skills Based Training Course, BoysTown – 2005

Weaving Hearts, Merging Minds & Changing Brains, Drs. Louis Cozolino & Dan Siegel – 2005

Counselling Kids, Australian Psychological Society – 2004

The Power of the Healing Relationship, Maya Shaw-Gale, Hakomi Institute – 2003

General Telephone Counselling Course, LifeLine - 2003

Infidelity on the Net, College of Counselling Psychologists QLD Branch - 2002

Riding with Our Backs to the Engine, Dr Julie Diamond, Process Oriented Psychology – 2002

Hakomi Integrative Psychology, Manuela Mischke-Reeds, Hakomi Institute - 2002

Landmark Forum, Advanced Course & Self-expressive and Leadership Program, Landmark Education - 2001

Insight and Opening, Dr Stanislav Grof & Dr Jack Kornfield – 2001

The Body-Mind Talks, Tony Richardson, Somatics Body Oriented Psychotherapy Training - 2000

Birth, Sex and Death, Dr. Stanislav Grof – 1999

Holotropic Breathwork, Portiuncula Centre, Toowoomba, 1998-2007

Voice Dialogue, Drs Hal and Sidra Stone – 1998

Architecture of Emotional and Psychosomatic Disorders, Dr Stanislav Grof - 1998

Counselling Process, Australian College of Natural Medicine - 1997

Relationship Counselling, Relationships Australia – 1997

Healing Beyond Words – Counselling & Psychotherapy