Professional Experience

I spent nine years (2010-2018) contracting within a multi-disciplinary practice in Newcastle NSW as a behavioural therapist for private and NDIS clients. Clients’ challenges were related to parenting, household stress, conflict, anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiance Disorder, obsessive behaviour, and learning disorders.

Sessions were conducted in clinic, home and school settings. I worked with parents (individual parents and couples), with their children, or combined both. How we worked depended on the individual needs, and the other clinicians the family were involved with.  I liaised with my clients’ schools, Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, paediatricians and psychiatrists to achieve outcomes, and gained substantial professional knowledge working this way. 

Since 2019, I have contracted within another large multi-disciplinary organisation, working in homes and residential facilities with NDIS clients across Greater Ipswich, Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast. My clients experience a broad range of challenges, related to mental health, physical disabilities, neurological disorders, complex trauma, and childhood disorders.  I am again fortunate to work alongside and benefit from the knowledge of other clinicians - Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Dieticians and Physiotherapists. I continue this work for the extensive experience, knowledge and skill development it brings to me.

I often come across individuals and families who may not have diagnoses or government funding but who have a range of significant challenges impacting their daily life.  Limestone Counselling allows me to connect with local clients, connect with other local businesses, and to spend more time working close to home in the Ipswich community.

Academic qualifications

Masters of Counselling

(Child, Youth & Family)

University of Southern Queensland

Due for completion 2022

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Postgraduate Diploma of Counselling (Child, Youth & Family),

University of Southern Queensland

Graduated with Distinction

Postgraduate Diploma of Education 

University of Newcastle

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)

University of Newcastle

Counselling approach

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My approach to counselling integrates;

• Modern Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

• Solution-Focused Therapy

• Positive psychology

• Motivational Interviewing

• Client-centred therapy

• Emotion-focused therapy

I value these therapeutic models for their ability to be combined and be flexibly tailored to the client’s individual needs and preferences. I enjoy including psychoeducation about approaches in my sessions so clients may learn about their processes for change.

Recent professional training

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Anxiety in Children and Adolescents with Karen Young, 2020

Positive Behaviour Support with Disability Connect QLD, 2020

Managing Client’s Behaviours of Concern with MS Connect, 2020

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Other credentials

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Current First Aid accreditation

Current QLD Working with Children check

NDIS Worker Screening Check

Current professional memberships

Australian Counsellor’s Association (ACA), Registered Counsellor and Member

Australian Psychological Society (APS), Associate Member