Philosophy & Vision
As a warm, open counsellor, my purpose is to support adults facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, codependency, body image concerns, addiction, burnout, and relationship or family difficulties. I am deeply committed to exploring how early life experiences shape emotion regulation, communication, boundaries, mood, motivation, self-esteem, and relationships. Drawing on 30 years in corporate and charity environments, along with my professional and lived experience, I understand the weight of life’s pressures. My vision is to offer a safe, respectful, and honest space where clients can speak freely, feel understood, and build confidence. Through collaborative work and practical, skills-based techniques, I aim to empower individuals to create meaningful change and move toward a more balanced, fulfilled, and purpose-driven life—carrying the tools they gain far beyond our time together.
Background
After beginning my career in the charity sector, I moved into the corporate world, working for large global organisations across property, consultancy, and later sustainability. Guided by a strong sense of purpose, I eventually transitioned into counselling—a field where I’m passionate about helping clients build resilience, live in alignment with their values, and make space for their struggles and past traumas. I began my counselling work in several psychiatric hospitals, running therapeutic groups for adults experiencing mood disorders, addiction, and complex comorbidities. While group work remains a meaningful and powerful part of my practice, I soon discovered that individual work is where I felt most aligned as a therapist.
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- Schema Therapy - The Model, Methods & Techniques - 2025 - Schema Therapy Australia
- Somatic Resilience & Regulation - 2024 - Resilience & Regulation LLC
- Theory, Training & Supervision in Group Leadership - 2023 - LakeScope & AICA
- Graduate Diploma, Counselling - 2021 - Australian College of Applied Psychology
- Bachelor Applied Science - Social Ecology - 2001 - University of Western Sydney
Modalities
ACT - Attachment Theory - CBT - Compassion-Focused Therapy - DBT - Emotionally Focused Therapy - Gestalt - Internal Family Systems - Mindfulness - Motivational Interviewing - Narrative Therapy - Person Centred - Psychodynamic - Solution Oriented - Somatic Experiencing® - Strengths-Based - Systems Theory - Trauma-Informed
Therapy Approach
I offer a safe, calm, and respectful space where you can speak openly and feel heard. Together we explore your experiences, build self-understanding, and work toward goals that feel meaningful for you. I’m especially interested in how early life experiences shape emotions, relationships, and self-worth. My approach is trauma-informed and grounded in evidence-based therapies, including schema, ACT, CBT, DBT, family systems, psychodynamic work, narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, and psychoeducation. I tailor every session to your unique needs so our work supports lasting, personal change.
Professional Associations
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
Practice Locations
Unit 34, 1-3 Funda Place
Brookvale NSW 2100
Parking is available underneath the Lifestyle Building with life access to my suite.
Lifestyle Working Building Brookvale
Suite 147, 117 Old Pittwater Road
Brookvale NSW 2100
Appointments
I currently have availability for in person and online consultations on Tuesdays (all day), Saturday mornings as well as Monday and Wednesday evenings.
Fees & Insurance
Initial 15-minute telephone consultation: Free
Standard individual therapy session (online via Zoom): $130 incl. GST
Standard individual therapy session (in-person at Brookvale): $145 incl. GST
Payment Options
Credit card or direct debit.
Contact Tara
Please contact me to book a 15 minute free initial consult