My background is in domestic and sexual abuse. After graduating, I worked as a police and court interpreter where I met many people affected by abuse but, due to my job description, I could not support them in the way I would have liked. However, I learned how the court and police system works- or rather doesn’t work- and how these failures impact the survivors and their children.
As a result, I have retrained as a domestic and sexual abuse worker. I worked with people from many backgrounds, including women affected by so-called honour-based violence, forced marriages, and trafficked women and girls. Here, I learned the difference that counselling makes to recovery.
In 2021 when I moved to Melbourne, I retrained. Following completion of a Master of Counselling course, I now work with women who experience depression and anxiety, low self-esteem, and relationship difficulties or have experienced trauma, abuse and violence both as adults and as children. I love my job, and I feel that my previous work offers me a unique position from which I can support victims and survivors of abuse in their journey to recovery.
Every day, I am inspired by the inner strength and courage of the women who work with me through their pain towards recovery. Please contact me to see if I can be of help to you too.
About me
I am passionate about helping survivors of domestic or sexual abuse and violence on their road to recovery. The reactions and emotions that follow abuse can be overwhelming and difficult to overcome. Many people decide to access counselling to help them gain some support navigating this. As a counsellor, I can work with you at any stage of your journey.
I can help you to recognise signs of abuse, and help you understand your own behaviours and way of thinking. There are many different techniques and approaches that we can use to support you, from assertiveness and grounding techniques to trauma informed approaches to help you process your experience.
You have all the strength and courage that you need to move forward with your life, but there is no shame in asking for a helping hand to get you there.
How I work
Who I work with
My approach is humanistic where the client is at the centre of everything we do. I believe that everyone has the capacity to heal given the right conditions. I aim to provide you with a safe space in which to process your experience and where you can work at your own pace, whilst using trauma informed care principles to help you manage the impact the trauma had on your emotions, behaviours and reactions.
During the initial session, I will explain how I work in greater detail and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. We will talk about what brings you to therapy and discuss what you would like to achieve. At the end of the session, we will make a decision regarding whether we are the right fit for each other. You are welcome to have some time to make a decision on whether you are ready to begin therapy.
I work with women aged 16 and above who have experienced relationship difficulties, grief, loss, trauma, domestic and sexual violence and childhood abuse. I also work with people who experience anxiety and depression which are common issues stemming from unresolved trauma.
I want you to remember that you are not your trauma, but untreated trauma can cause complications later in life if left untreated. In our work together I can help you work through your experience, allowing you to process it in a safe way and getting you to live the life you deserve.
I specialise in domestic and family violence and sexual violence whether it occurred recently or in the past. I also work with grief and loss which includes bereavement and the multiple losses suffered by survivors of abuse such as loss of a relationship, loss of the way you wish it had been, loss of the person you expected them to be, loss of the person you were before the abuse, loss of the life you hoped your children would have, loss of family or friends and all the other losses, too many to mention here.
Specialisations
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King’s College London / Bachelor of Russian and German / 2000 / UK
University of Surrey / Masters of Translation and Interpreting / 2001 / UK
Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors / Masters of Counselling / 2023 / Australia
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Registered Domestic Abuse Prevention Advocate / Women’s Aid / UK 2017
Independent Sexual Violence Advisor / The Survivors Trust / UK 2019
Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk / Zero Suicide Institute / 2022
Trauma-Focus ACT / 2022
Trauma-Informed Certificate for Coaches / 2022
Mastering the Craft of Treating Trauma: Four Core Skills / 2022
Attachment Theory in Clinical Practice / Awareness Psychology Clinic / 2022
Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) to Transform Trauma and Self-Harm / Sue Johnson / 2022
Trauma and Self-Harm: Increase Safety with a New Approach to Cutting, Bingeing, and Addictive Behaviors Summit / 2022
ACT for Grief and Loss / 2023
ACT for Depression and Anxiety Disorders / 2023
EFT Attachment Science in Practice / 2023
Recognising and Responding to Sexual Violence / RMIT / 2023
The Three-Phased Approach To Treating Trauma Training / Blue Knot Foundation / 2023
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Person Centred
Trauma-Informed ACT
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Solution Focused Therapy (SFT)
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Australian Counselling Association - Level 2
The Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists
Blue Knot Foundation
Volunteer at Griefline
