Hi I'm Mary
As a young mum, married to a Defence Force employee, constantly moving, it was not uncommon for me to be left alone with children. Having no family to fall back on for support I struggled at times with parenting. I am familiar with dealing with the stresses of illness, hospital visits, school issues, a child with additional needs and my own sanity. I wish I knew then what I know now through experience, education and various career paths.
In my practice I work with children and their families on Behavioural support, Social and Emotional regulation, Confidence and Resilience building, Grief and Loss, Managing Anger and Coping with Fear. Children's emotions, behaviours. education and social interactions affect all areas of their lives. Work on one area and results will flow into all other areas.
Not only do I work with children but I also work with their parents/carers, teachers, families and other supporting Specialists. It's a struggle being a parent/carer sometimes, especially when all we really want is someone to be there to help guide us through the minefield that this often feels like. Let me be that person for you - the person I wish I had when raising my own family.
Teachers too, struggle, not only with their severely curriculum-packed days, but all those extra pressures put on them, dealing with large classes with many and varied students, each with their own challenges. It's no wonder they are leaving the system in droves. I was one of those teachers.
I have found through my own journey with Artistic and Expressive Therapies just how powerful they are. Children find this type of therapy fun, yet powerful, as they 'play' with the toys (symbols) in the sand, with puppets, draw, paint and sometimes dramatise what is going on in their lives as they tell their stories. Adults too, have the opportunity to freely express what is sometimes hard to put into words.
A counselling session with me may look like this - we sit and have a chat about what brings you here and work on a plan as to how this might take place. You may wish to explore Artistic Therapies using the sandtray and symbols or you might like to delve into the art side of things. You may wish to work with a more somatic (body-based) approach or if you wish we can go and sit in the rainforest and just have a chat. Counselling can be combined with Reiki and/or Australian Bush Flower Essences. Each session is designed to suit you where you feel most comfortable.
It is my privilege to work with children, their families and teachers as they let go and find peace in their lives.