About Counselling…

Counselling is flexible and set up to meet your needs offering:

  • Office based appointments in a central location. (Indoor appointments can include nature-based therapy through creative arts and other modalities).

  • Nature-therapy/outdoor appointments.

  • Outreach

My Approach:

  • Trauma-informed and nervous system-aware

  • Relationship and attachment-focused

  • Strengths-based and collaborative

  • Mindfulness and experiential approaches tailored to suit young people

  • Nature-based and ecotherapy-informed practices

Referrals:

Self-referrals and referrals from GP’s, schools, agencies and other health professionals are welcome.

About Nature-Based Therapy…

Time with nature can support healing, growth, and a sense of balance in a busy and overwhelming world.

Nature-based therapy is a wholistic, evidenced informed approach that uses immersion in natural environments and/or working with natural materials to reconnect the mind, body and spirit. It is based on the concept of Biophilia - that humans have an innate need to connect with the natural environment within which they have evolved.

Nature-based therapy can support:

  • Emotional regulation and restoration

  • Connection and belonging

  • Creativity, curiosity, and reflection

  • Mean-making and healing

  • Opportunities for movement, rest, and play

Nature-based therapy can be practiced outdoors or indoors and offers an alternative to traditional talk therapy. It can create space to focus on the activity itself rather than focusing on the person and their difficulties. And to reconnect to self, others, community and the natural world.

About Me…

Hi, I’m Rachel. I’m a mother, a daughter, a sister and a wife. I am happiest and most grounded when I am outdoors. Whether it’s drinking coffee and watching the sunrise, swimming in the ocean, camping in wild places or doing yoga in my backyard. I have a passion for nature and for connecting, and connecting with people.

I am a social worker with nearly 20 years experiencing working with youth. This includes counselling, groups, case management and outreach. I am currently completing my Advanced Accreditation in Nature-Based Therapy.

I have extensive experience working with young people with complex trauma and mental health issues and barriers to engaging with main stream education. This includes 9 years as a youth drug and alcohol counsellor (including some time as a senior counsellor), facilitating groups and counselling in schools for young people disengaged from mainstream education and case management of young women leaving Banksia Hill Detention Centre.

I am a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).