Married for 36 years, I am fully aware of the emotional rollercoaster, that sharing a life with someone often entails. Many couples speak of their self help journeys and how long and arduous a road it has been, feeling like they are in a cycle that seems to be unbreakable. Couples that make the sometimes difficult decision to attend couples counselling, often do themselves as well as their families, a great service.

In a previous role as a school counsellor in secondary education, I was soon made aware that the children of parents experiencing chronic couple dissatisfaction, were almost always negatively impacted. For me it was a natural progression to pursue study in the area of couples therapy. As a consequence, I completed specialist training in couples therapy through Relationships Australia Victoria, and have continued to develop skills through extensive and ongoing training. My couples counselling approach involves evidenced based principles derived from training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and the work of Drs. John and Julie Gottman.

My aim is to assist distressed couples in gaining a deeper understanding and insight into their own, as well as their partners, intrapsychic worlds. Over time, with practice and commitment to change, new behaviors and attitudes may develop. Escalation in arguments may be reduced, leading to quicker repair and resumption of close and intimate bonds, and minimal collateral damage.

In keeping with my interest in couples work, I am also a registered facilitator of the PREPARE/ENRICH inventory and skill building program, proven to significantly improve a couple’s relationship. This inventory has and continues to be used with couples who are in newly committed relationships with a view to marriage, as well as established couples looking to enhance their relationship.

With regular professional supervision, on going training, industry memberships and relevant insurances, I strive to provide a professional and ethical service. Should the need for a referral be required, I will work collaboratively with other health care practitioners in order to support my clients in the best possible way.

Primarily serving the Western suburbs, I welcome clients from all over the Melbourne metropolitan area. I aim to provide a safe, empathic and positive experience for my clients. Please contact me to learn more about how I can help.

professional development

EDUcation

Bachelor of Applied Science, Psychology (Hons.)
RMIT – Melbourne, Australia

Graduate Diploma in Psychological Studies
Victoria University – Melbourne, Australia

Bachelor of Arts – Australian Cultural Studies
Victoria University – Melbourne, Australia

Memberships

A.P.S. Australian Psychological Society Commencing 2012

MCEFT (Melbourne Community for Emotionally Focused Therapists)

MCEFT Peer Development Group

ICEEFT (The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy)