Psychotherapists and Counsellors Answer your Questions

Being diagnosed with ADHD in my late 40's placed me within a cohort of people re-examining their lives and identities in hindsight, questions arising on how things might have been different with the...

Being diagnosed with ADHD in my late 40's placed me within a cohort of people re-examining their lives and identities in hindsight, questions arising on how things might have been different with the knowledge earlier in life? This was further compounded by the discovery that the number of support resources for adults diagnosed with Neurodivergence much later in life was severely lacking. This experience very much facilitated a drive to become the support resource that I couldn't easily find when I was diagnosed, and provide that lived experience support for others.

A combination of lived experience and searching for a career that offered more meaning led me to enter counselling. I have always valued personal connection and counselling is a way for me to offer...

A combination of lived experience and searching for a career that offered more meaning led me to enter counselling. I have always valued personal connection and counselling is a way for me to offer support to others by creating a safe space to explore who they are and what is important to them.

I’ve always been drawn to listening deeply and supporting people to make sense of their lives. Counselling allows me to walk alongside others as they navigate challenges, honour their experiences,...

I’ve always been drawn to listening deeply and supporting people to make sense of their lives. Counselling allows me to walk alongside others as they navigate challenges, honour their experiences, and reconnect with their strengths, values, and hopes. Narrative therapy, in particular, resonates with my belief that people are the experts of their own lives.

I have always had a passion for working with people and thoroughly enjoy supporting people to make positive changes in their lives.

I have always had a passion for working with people and thoroughly enjoy supporting people to make positive changes in their lives.

My own experiences of unexpected grief & existential exploration were the catalyst for me to explore a career in social work / counselling. I am passionate that practical support during these...

My own experiences of unexpected grief & existential exploration were the catalyst for me to explore a career in social work / counselling. I am passionate that practical support during these experiences goes a long way in processing & accepting difficult experiences- which leads to far better outcomes.

At 16 years of age, I received training to volunteer with children on a camp. This training was the beginning of a interest in human development and behaviour that has stayed with me. I went on to...

At 16 years of age, I received training to volunteer with children on a camp. This training was the beginning of a interest in human development and behaviour that has stayed with me. I went on to work as a teacher, where my passion resided with supporting my students and their families who were experiencing difficulty, and particularly supporting children with emotion regulation. This passion lead me to move into counselling as a profession.

My journey begun at university. My academic background spans across 17 years of University Education. Despite often questioning my own sanity over that extended time being the 'Uni student', across...

My journey begun at university. My academic background spans across 17 years of University Education. Despite often questioning my own sanity over that extended time being the 'Uni student', across those years what I gained from it was an amazing learning experience that equipped me with unparallel knowledge experience and wisdom learning from some of the most acclaimed experts in the world. I now hold five University Degrees, including a Doctorate across fields of Psychology, Neurology, Junior Primary/Primary/high school Dance Education, and Journalism. I have been so fortunate to work in some amazing research teams all over the world and published multiple empirical studies in scientific journals. Within my practice, I often draws upon this incredible body of knowledge to inspire my clients, and transform their life.

As a teenager I really enjoyed being with people, spending hours in conversations, getting to know others and myself. This love and interest in people led me to pursue further studies. Just prior...

As a teenager I really enjoyed being with people, spending hours in conversations, getting to know others and myself. This love and interest in people led me to pursue further studies. Just prior to migrating to Australia in the early 80's, I applied to study psychology at Poznan University in Poland. The exam was tough and I did not pass my German test (which was a part of the exam), hence did not get in. After arriving in Australia with one luggage and limited English, I needed to wait some years before I could even contemplate any studies. Eventually 7 years after my arrival, I applied to study Bachelor of Social Work and was looking to pursue my passion for working with people. This time I choose social work over psychology because of the broader conceptual approach of seeing the individuals not only as products of their own thoughts, beliefs and behaviours but also in relation to broader social, systemic, economic and environmental factors. And like they say: 'The rest is history.' In 1994 I completed my Bachelor of Social Work and later in 1999 my Masters of Gerontology, both at the University of South Australia. Following my university studies, I worked for over 20 years in various government organisations, providing counselling, therapy, and managerial services. During that time, I stumbled across something, which at that time was not frequently used in therapy: guided visualisation techniques. It is amazing how well people are improving just by using their own ability to visualise scenarios and possibilities. I felt that with guided visualisation techniques and therapeutic story telling, I was able to really help people. And this was my first step toward fine-tuning my knowledge in various psychotherapeutic techniques. This knowledge was then expanded by further studies in clinical hypnotherapy, mindfulness, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. In 2016 I completed my Certificate in Clinical Hypno-Psychotherapy, which was followed by my Diploma in Hypno-Counselling. A year and a half later, after conducting over 500 hypnotherapy sessions, I become a Clinical Hypnotherapist and have developed a high level of expertise in this therapeutic modality. My professional working experience along with lifelong training in psychology, sociology, communication, and psychotherapy provided me with the knowledge, tools, and experience to support people, and inspired me to open my own therapy practice. In 2016 I founded my therapy business and over the years, it has slowly grown and it is now well established. Currently, there are five of us at H-L Therapy and we are passionate about supporting people in achieving their best potential.

I began my career as a Naturopath and noticed that many people's health concerns had root causes in emotional and relational pain. This led me down the path of studying counselling and then...

I began my career as a Naturopath and noticed that many people's health concerns had root causes in emotional and relational pain. This led me down the path of studying counselling and then specialiasing in trauma, relational wounds and nervous system support.