About the counsellor, Mel
“Do not assume that he who seeks to comfort you now, lives untroubled among the simple and quiet words that sometimes do you good. His life may also have much sadness and difficulty ….. Were it otherwise, he would never have been able to find these words.”
~ Rainer Maria Rilke
I was in my mid 30’s before I realised that I wanted to be a counsellor, but I wasn’t sure how that would look. Through my studies, different volunteer roles and developing a keen interest in activism, I came to recognise that working with women who were ready to step into their power, heal their wounded inner child and rediscover their worth was where I felt most alive and purposeful, so it made sense that counselling and psychotherapy would be a road worth exploring.
I am a relaxed counsellor who is skilled at providing insight, honest feedback and strategies to help you learn to live alongside difficult thoughts and feelings, while moving forward, creating the life you want.
When we are going on a healing journey the relationships with those we surround ourselves with will either help or hinder us. My belief is that you and I are a team, working collaboratively, to get the best outcomes possible for you.
Along with my studies and various roles, I also bring a lot of life experience to this work. I've had my challenges and I don’t come from perfect families, I understand first hand the power that shame and regret can have over our happiness, and have struggled with a whole range of significant and difficult issues as a child, an adolescent, an adult, a partner and a mum which have now allowed me to be effectively present and compassionate towards those going through their own difficulties.
I'm not religious but strongly agree with the sentiment 'Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone'. We can't grow and change and learn from the past if we're not given a safe, supportive, compassionate and judgement-free space in which to do so.
I operate, loosely, from a mix of Person Centred (Rogerian) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), while also drawing on the work of Gabor Maté , Peter Levine and other trauma focused experts.
I believe that everyone has the potential to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life. You and I. No matter who we are, what we've been through, whatever mistakes we've made, or however many traumas we carry. There has to be more to this journey, than our pain, regrets and challenges.
Random Things About Me
I love exploring little heritage towns
I love the bush, rainforests AND beaches - I couldn't pick a favourite
Our environment is important to me. People who litter and in other ways disregard the planet are not people that I appreciate.
I love watching all kinds of birds.
I love to read, and could probably open a small bookshop with all the books I own but haven't read yet.
I am a typical introvert.
My Human Design type is Manifestor
My Personality type is INFP-T (though I think once I was an INFJ - maybe it depends on my mood ;) )
I don't actually put too much stock in either of the above, but they're interesting to think about and see if/where I fit.
I am a 'live and let live' kind of person, who thinks its fruitless to judge others, because you've no idea what it's like walking in their shoes.
I am half Greek, and can't speak the language at all, but could say good morning and good night, and ask for a glass of water if I really had to.
Both sets of my grandparents had 4 children and 13 grandchildren. I am the eldest on each of those sides.
I don't find anything 'ergonomic' actually comfortable.
I love art and music, but I am not artistic or musical.
I feel like I am supposed to live on an acreage surrounded by trees and chooks, but instead I live in the suburbs surrounded by about 15 barking dogs... none of which are mine.
I have lived experience with:
Childhood trauma
Family estrangement
Anxiety and depression
Same-sex relationships
Faith and sexuality
Mid-life genetic plot twists (NPE)
Grief and loss
And generally being a complicated, contradictory, messy human like most of us walking the planet ;)
I understand that life can feel really, really difficult. I also know that there are ways to move through the murky waters, and that a healthier, more connected life is possible.
Experience and qualifications:
Diploma in counselling
Diploma in community services.
Certificate in Ecotherapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
I was a Lifeline telephone crisis supporter for 3 years
I've mentored women moving on in their lives after domestic violence.
I've also worked in the mental health field
I’ve been working as a counsellor since early 2018
I am continually engaging in learning opportunities as they arise and am currently studying:
Embodied Processing – a trauma focused modality.
Trauma Informed Manifestation Coaching
I have memberships with:
Level 2 Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association
