I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to offer support to various members of our community for over 20 years whilst working in the not-for-profit sector. While working with the community I have witnessed firsthand the impact of working with trauma and the value of empathy when offering support. My experiences have led me to understand the importance creating genuine rapport when working with people, and it is something I look to create during my sessions.   

My path to this internship began with my studying the impact of working with trauma and the importance of self-care. Over the years have become very passionate about self-care and have formulated an approach to intentional self-care. My studies have led me to understand that therapeutic support is an important aspect of effective self-care. I came to Gestalt therapy because of its wonderful relational approach and its focus on sitting in the here-and-now and wish to offer such support through my internship at the Community Clinic.

I am here to support you in our shared human experience with empathy and altruism.

I wish you all the very best in your journey. 

My interests include:

People working in the community 

Experiencing vicarious trauma 

Managing compassion fatigue

Dealing with burnout  

Intentional self-care 

Working in traumatic environments

Do you worry that you don’t fit in? Does your anxiety keep you small? Or perhaps you believe that are too much? Do you struggle with boundaries with your children? At work? Or with your intimate partner? Are there times that you say or do things that you later regret? Do others accuse you of feeling too much or even hiding your feelings? If you find yourself struggling with your relationships, then reaching out for support is the first courageous step you can take to create change in your life. If you come and see me, together we can work towards unlocking your inner wisdom so you can live your life in alignment with your values. 

I am a therapist because I value relationships. Relationships are part of our everyday lives, whether with an intimate partner, family, friends, or with ourselves. After struggling alone, I discovered through therapy a powerful pathway to transform my tired and painful habits of relating.  This self-awareness has rippled out to all my relationships, where I am now better able to choose how I respond to life rather than react to it. 

To transform how we show up in our relationships, we need to be in a relationship. The therapeutic relationship provides a safe space to explore this further. As your therapist, I see myself as a guide to support you to unearth a deeper connection to yourself so you can face the challenges you have with authenticity, spontaneity, and clarity. 

I work with people who want to understand what gets in their way and seek to find balance in the challenging arena of life and relationships. 

I have a background in counselling and education, with over 15 years of experience working with families. I have a Master of Public Health, a Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy and have recently completed my post graduate training in Contemporary Gestalt Therapy. I am a daughter, sister, friend, wife, and mother to four children, and I have first-hand experience of the joys, worries and challenges of being human.

I suddenly and unexpectedly lost my long-term partner, leaving me disconnected from the world, in a dark place with no known way to get out of it. I engaged with a therapist who, with non-judgmental, supportive, yet objective series of sessions; was able to give me the self- confidence and tools to enter the world I now found myself in.

I’m a qualified teacher and life coach. Through my experiences in therapy, I am now helping clients evolve through difficult times, whether they be the stresses of everyday life and family, traumatic life events, career challenges, or those people wanting the methods and thought processes to live their lives to the fullest.

I am currently completing qualifications in Contemporary Gestalt Therapy and am a student member of PACFA.

My life journey, 20 years of corporate life and training qualifications enables me to bring exceptional results with clients wanting to explore better life options and face challenges for long-lasting successful changes.

I am available on: Zoom every weekday evening

Are you seeking solace for yourself after providing support to others during the turbulence of the last few years? I’m so pleased that you are taking this step for yourself.

I am a Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Nurse with practical knowledge of the health system and support people across the lifespan with experience of chronic illness or those who care for others. I provide a safe space to allow you to meet yourself on a deeper and more nourishing level.

Make a booking for the next available appointment with a therapist. The Clinic Coordinator will be in touch within 24 hours of you booking with further details.

My aim as your therapist is to offer a safe and supportive space for you to be you and talk about any concerns facing you in your life. My approach is warm, kind and professional, allowing you to set the pace with no pressure to share anything you don't want to. My hope is to work together to help you feel more ease and choice in your life.

With a background in holistic healing and teaching mindful movement and meditation, I have extensive experience working with individuals from all walks of life. I have experience working with people in addiction and rehabilitation, with LGBTIQ communities and with individuals with mental health concerns. I also bring my own lived experience of having worked through such challenges myself and having come out the other side.

There is a time when we all need some support to better understand ourselves and to respond to life’s difficulties. I certainly have. Friends, family and loved ones can help at times. But sometimes the training and professional support of a therapist is what is needed. 

I am a therapist out of a desire to be with you as you face the difficulties and human concerns of life. My style is warm, non-judgmental, and professional. I provide an opportunity to really share your concerns, so that you can feel safe to explore your personal difficulties and get life back on track. 

Many forms of therapy emphasise a type of life that is split-off and separated from the influence of the environment and relationships on you and your influence on them. This is not how we work as humans. This is not how the world is. Working in this way can place significant pressure on a person to face challenges and somehow ‘work it out’ on their own. Instead, in our work together, I will guide you to develop a growing awareness of how you live your life in the interplay between you and your world.

I bring my own life experience into therapy. I have worked as a lawyer, as a manager the healthcare sector and in the corporate world. I understand the challenges of the workplace and have a particular interest in working with professionals and people facing challenges around work. I also bring a deep understanding of those with a religious upbringing or current faith practice, including the challenges that this can bring.

PhD (Law), LLM (Research), GradDip Theology, GradDip Legal Practice, BA/LLB (Hon I). I am currently completing my post graduate training in Gestalt Therapy and am a student member of PACFA.

I am a therapist because I enjoy the relational aspects of human connectivity. I am drawn to Gestalt therapy because of its relational approach and its focus on sitting in the here-and-now.

Personal growth and development have always been a part of my life through practices including yoga, mindfulness and physical fitness. I was raised by a single Mother and have experienced poverty, isolation and bullying, however this taught me resilience and gratitude for the small things in life.

I work well with LBGTQI+ peoples and recognize the trauma that exists in this environment. That said, I don’t let that limit me, as I also recognize similarities in social and cultural differences that comprise Australia’s multi-cultural society.

I consider myself to be friendly and empathic and like to build rapport within a safe space container. By guiding clients through their own awareness patterns, I can help direct them to a deeper understanding of their core beliefs and reframe negative patterns and address personal challenges.

I believe that we are all perfect in our own special way we just forget this as we go through life’s ups and downs.   As a therapist it is my job to help my clients get back in touch with who they are and their place in the world. Awareness creates opportunity for choice and in turn growth. With me you will find an accepting and supportive therapeutic space where we work together to make sense of what is going on for you in way that will strengthen your resilience and allow you to live more fully and with the freedom of self-acceptance.

I believe a good therapeutic relationship allows for the client to experience themselves as they would like to be in the world.  I enjoy working with all ages and stages in life and I’m especially interested in how people relate to themselves and others and how this can be worked with in the therapy session. 

 I trained as a Somatic Psychotherapist in 2002 and currently work with families experiencing the difficulties of separation as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. 

I am a therapist because I feel most alive and fulfilled when I am in open, vulnerable and authentic connection with another soul, exploring what it means to be human.
My own experiences - in moving beyond  childhood ptsd, sexual abuse, and chronic illness - have left me with the unshakable conviction that every human is capable of extraordinary transformation. Each of us has the power to transcend our conditioning and trauma and to find the freedom to joyfully express who we really are.

Together, we will create a safe space for you to gently explore your inner world and find what  is preventing you from living the life you yearn for - a life of freedom, joy, creativity, and empowerment. I will help you to bring awareness to those parts of your life that are not working and to find the freedom to make different choices.

I am passionate about clearing individual, ancestral and collective trauma and I love exploring the intersection of spirituality, neuroscience, quantum physics and the wisdom of the body.  In my former life I was a barrister, before illness, my great teacher, led me away from the world of status, stress and striving, back home to my heart.

My own personal experience of Gestalt psychotherapy has supported me on my journey back to self-love after chaotic life experiences. I believe that having the safe space of the therapeutic relationship to open up and be free of any judgment is invaluable on the path to healing. It is the safe space we truly learn to embrace our whole self.  I am currently completing my post graduate training with The Relational Institute and it with an open heart that I support my clients on their own healing journey. 

I am a person-centred therapist which means that I like to meet people where they are at. My aim is provide an opportunity to work collaboratively and conversationally with you to develop insight, gain clarity, create change, or resolve issues specific to your situation.

I work in a holistic and integrative way, providing a respectful, insightful, empathic, and confidential space to discuss and explore whatever challenges you are facing.

My first career was in nursing where, as a Registered Nurse, I have worked in various clinical, mental health, and substance abuse treatment settings over the last 3 decades. I see this experience as a long apprenticeship in working therapeutically with people facing challenges, and it has been a natural transition into counselling as my second career. I am committed to ongoing professional development, education, and personal growth.

Experience

Registered Nurse (Physical Health)

Coronary Care / Intensive Care Unit / Emergency Department 

Paediatrics

Educator

Registered Nurse (Mental Health)

Refugee Health (trauma and vicarious trauma) 

Community Mental Health (Complex Mental Health)

Substance Abuse (Drug and Alcohol Treatment (inpatient setting)

Depression and Anxiety (inpatient setting)

PTSD (inpatient setting)

After many years spent not believing I was ‘good enough’ to help others, I tentatively embarked on my journey to counselling by volunteering with Lifeline in 2015. It was in this vital, raw and real medium that I joyfully discovered a deep passion for connecting to others.

I am committed to meet and walk beside others seeking to free themselves from doubt, fear and shame and am particularly drawn to the powerful opportunities and challenges that arise around times of transition - when doors often quietly unlock and open to personal change and self-awareness.

As I age, I come to understand that mid-life comes with a calling to explore our unaddressed issues in relationships, health and well-being, purpose and vocation.  My goal as a therapist is to ensure you feel safe to share and can work at your own pace to start living the way you’ve always wanted to.

Professional Qualifications:

I am a therapist because I believe in the goodness in every one of us and that each person has the right to live their best and fullest life. Through my own personal experience and ongoing journey, I have gained a deep understanding into the world of trauma.

With therapy, care and consistent presence, together we can enter a process of safe exploration to learn more about how we are in the world which will inevitably lead to a process of discovery and healing. My passion is working with individuals who have a desire to grow and understand themselves at a deeper level.

I am a Registered Nurse, Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse with a Master’s in Public Health. I have a Graduate Diploma in Drug and Alcohol studies and a Masters of Psychotherapy and Counselling and am currently studying Gestalt therapy. 

What I value most about being a therapist is holding space for people to explore their inner world, discover their truths, and live in the freedom that comes with that. Having been in recovery myself for more than thirty years, I value the gifts that come from being willing to do this work. I am passionate about mental health and supporting others on their journey. 

I grew up in a family with addiction and have lived experience of its impact. As the mother of three children, I have worked hard to learn a different way of being with family, and the parenting challenges are of particular interest to me. I have studied Aware Parenting extensively. 

I enjoy working with people from all walks of life. And have a special interest in relationships, career transitions, and addiction.  I believe we all can make change and live a life centered on connection and purpose. 

I am passionate about wellbeing and supporting people to reach their individual potential. I offer a warm, supportive and judgement-free space where you can feel safe to share your truth. Together, we can explore life’s challenges and build awareness of how we relate to ourselves, each other and the world around us and what might be getting in the way of us living life to its full. 

I have close to 20 year’s experience working in community and human services sector – working with a diverse range of people and communities, particularly those who have experienced trauma and marginalisation. 

I have a special interest in working with carers (unpaid, foster & kinship), the LGBTIQA+ community and people in caring professions and related workplace issues. Regardless of your background or circumstances, I look forward to meeting you where you’re at and together, creating and supporting a process of discovery and growth. 

I hold a Bachelor of Arts, Masters of Social Change and Development and a Diploma of Counselling. I am currently completing my post graduate training in Gestalt Therapy and am a student member of PACFA.
 

My life journey, from Poland through Germany to Australia, led me through diverse cultures and workplaces like hospitality, legal services, and higher education. Along the way, I witnessed the power of human connection, safety, and being valued for who we are, not who we are supposed to be. I also saw how quickly we can lose our footing, and how crucial it is to have someone offer support without judgment. 

What I love about gestalt therapy is connecting with others heart-to-heart, in the present moment. Having personally faced trauma and anxiety, I offer my full dedication and caring presence to support your growth. You can expect me to be warm, focused, and engaged while creating a safe environment to explore even difficult topics. My approach is holistic, and I respect the role of spirituality, mindfulness, and other methods of human healing.

I welcome people from all backgrounds, respecting everyone’s sexuality, gender identity, culture, age, ethnicity, and choices regarding substance use.

I am a psychologist and therapist and work with people to explore and discover their purpose personally and in their working lives – by exploring what feels right, to speak to their authentic sense of self, and realise this through their relationships. 

Through my work I have committed to help other to discover the dignity that belonging provides us, to be respected and loved for who we are and what we stand for 

This is not always easy to achieve, it can be hard to feel at ease when we feel that things are not as they should be. My own journey has been challenging. I have felt what it is to be lost and unsure, and the challenge of asking for and accepting help. 

I believe that by creating a space where we can safely explore our relationships we can find new energy and hope for what comes next. A space that is somewhere to belong – to be heard, to be accepted, to gain clarity and power – a place to settle in and find your truth.

Creative space where through our conversation we can create new ideas, new ways forward, and that together we can support one another to create. To be seen for ourselves and to heal around those things we’ve been scared to talk about. 

I look forward to creating that space with you. 

TRIA Clinic Coordinator 

Personal growth and development have always been a part of my life. Gestalt therapy has been a very significant contributing factor to my overall emotional well-being and together with various other modalities, have supported me in navigating various challenging life experiences leading to a vastly healthier relationship with myself and the world around me. I love supporting people through their life, by creating a safe space that enables them to address their challenges, be true to themselves and have healthier and more functional relationships. My personal journey encompasses a background in Electrical Engineering (B.Eng. honours) and over 30 years’ experience working with individuals and businesses as a leading facilitator, coach, mentor and the creation of a holistic and transformational change program which encompasses all aspects of being human.

My epitaph reads: ‘A man who relentlessly pursued self-re-discovery, to live in the moment, whilst making a positive difference to others.'

I am psychotherapist and welfare worker with rooms in Crows Nest providing both face to face and online affordable, respectful therapy sessions.

I am not your average Gestalt therapist; I am a mature age man with tons of life experience and have a very down-to-earth and genuine presence. My journey into Gestalt therapy was a natural progression, driven by a desire to connect deeply with others and help them navigate life's twists and turns.

Outside of my therapeutic pursuits, I am a dedicated husband and parent to three spirited teenagers. Being both a father and husband has taught me patience, commitment, and the importance of listening and being present.

In my spare time, I'm drawn outdoors, whether surfing, bush walking, bee keeping or being near the ocean. I find solace in nature and know the healing power of connecting with it regularly.

I am down-to-earth, approachable, and compassionate with a commitment to personal growth. I’m not a textbook style therapist but rather a fellow traveller and guide to support you in whatever difficulties you’re experiencing.

I decided to become a therapist so that I could empower people as others have empowered me in my own healing. As I experienced a range of mental health issues as an adolescent and young adult, experiencing Gestalt therapy as a client provided me with the holding to reclaim my autonomy, power and inner essence.

I work best with young people aged 20 to 30 who are looking to find and live from their authentic self in their relationships and all of life. I hope to support you to connect with your experience and emotional wounds so that you may realise your capacity to live a satisfying and creative life; unique to you. Let us be co-travellers as we walk down the path that is you and your world, after all, “we’re all just walking each other home”.  

Aside from training in Gestalt, I am qualified in Systemic Family Constellations and have experience working as a recovery peer worker. 

I have had a keen interest in therapy for many years. In my work I have always found the therapeutic side of social work the most fulfilling aspect for me. This has led me to further my skills and knowledge. Gestalt teachings align with my values which include supporting people to find their own best answers, gently exploring challenging areas of life experience and developing awareness so we can have more choices about how we show up for ourselves and in our relationships.

Of course, I have had my own experience of sitting in the client’s chair as part of my own healing, exploring and learning to manage my own anxiety and developing a stronger connection to myself and the world around me. Therapy has been helpful to me in navigating challenging times in my own life. I am Irish and live in Sydney for the most of 10 years and it has not always been an easy time (despite the sunshine). 

I have experience working with all age groups. It is my preference to work with women and it is my intention to hold a safe and non-judgmental place for any client I work with. 

Professional Qualifications

Masters in Social Work

I am currently completing my post graduate training in Gestalt Therapy at the Relational Clinic of Australia and am a student member of PACFA

Hi, I'm Michelle, reach out to me if you need to feel heard, with non-judgmental support building up your resilience to life’s challenges.

Life isn’t straight forward, there’s no manual is there? Sometimes it’s overwhelming and we all need a helping hand or good ear to guide us through - what can feel like impossible storms.

With over 15 years of dedicated experience helping vulnerable people. I am committed to offering guidance and support to those in need.  I’ve navigated myself, and others through difficult times. My own journey has led me to work extensively with individuals facing homelessness, relationship issues and navigating the complexities supporting complex family dynamics. Whilst working with individuals with complex trauma, I have been drawn to develop my practice by studying Gestalt therapy.

I moved to Australia from the UK, leaving family and friends behind, I understand the difficulties that being away from home can bring. The feeling of loss is always a pain that comes in waves. The feeling of loneliness and feeling displaced, doubting our choices we’ve made, can impact our ability to be satisfied within our daily life.

“Michelle helped me when I was at my lowest, caring and pragmatic, she was the human I needed to help me out of my single parenting despair.”