Each counselling session is personalised for you. Your life experience is unique and valued by me.
I will understand and work with you. You will dictate the pace - I will provide the tools in a professional and caring environment.
I will understand and work with you. You will dictate the pace - I will provide the tools in a professional and caring environment.
Assisting you with:
Alcohol & Drug Addictions
Alcohol and drug use affects your whole life and the life of those you are close to. Talking to someone can help you understand the cycle of dependency and offer ways to move forward without this burden on your shoulders.
I can assist you in understanding ‘why’ and offer tools and support in making change for a healthier and more positive future.
I can assist you in understanding ‘why’ and offer tools and support in making change for a healthier and more positive future.
Anxiety & Stress
Anxiety is similar to feeling worried and often faces us when we are feeling challenged. Some of the physical symptoms you may experience include increased heart rate and/or breathing, sweating, shaking, muscle tension, queasiness in the stomach. These symptoms can be sudden and their intensity increase, taking you by surprise.
I can help you take control of your thought processes and give you some insight and skills which may allow for a greater sense of personal empowerment and gaining greater control in your every day life.
I can help you take control of your thought processes and give you some insight and skills which may allow for a greater sense of personal empowerment and gaining greater control in your every day life.
Breakups & Divorce
Separation can be an extremely challenging time for anyone as you experience emotional and physical upset, as well as financial change.
Having a Counsellor to guide and support you through this process can ease the pain. I can offer mediation, support, the facilitation of respectful conversations and agreement, if you have decided that the relationship cannot continue.
Having a Counsellor to guide and support you through this process can ease the pain. I can offer mediation, support, the facilitation of respectful conversations and agreement, if you have decided that the relationship cannot continue.
Child, Adolescent & Family
Raising families
can be a challenging experience as our children develop their own beliefs
systems and voice. There can be times
when they may need additional support to work through challenges or
problems. Some of the more common themes
that I have helped young people with include:-
Anger
Depression Drug of Alcohol Use Risk Taking Behaviour |
Anxiety
Family Conflict Grief |
Bullying
Relationships Self Harm |
I understand these concerns and am experienced in talking with young people. I can offer and help develop effective tools and ways of managing stress and challenges.
Depression
Depression can also develop over a period of time, or be triggered by something specific including relationship issues, work changes, grief, loss trauma or illness. A chemical imbalance in the brain can also cause depression.
Some of the symptoms of depression include:-
Counselling has been proven to be effective in overcoming depression. You can live your life with a greater sense of well-being. Please call me to discuss how together we can improve your quality of life.
Some of the symptoms of depression include:-
- Persistent low mood or emotional numbness
- Poor concentration or forgetfulness
- Feelings worthless or hopeless
- Feeling of sadness that won’t go away
- Losing interest or pleasure in your normal activities
- Crying for no apparent reason
- Loss of energy, lethargy, tiredness or fatigue
- Feelings of irritability
- Excessive anxiety, agitation or worry
- Lack of motivation
- Reduced interest in sex
- Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
- Suicidal thoughts
Counselling has been proven to be effective in overcoming depression. You can live your life with a greater sense of well-being. Please call me to discuss how together we can improve your quality of life.
Grief & Loss
Grief and mourning is a very personal process and has no time limit. There are stages we need to go through in order to find inner peace and acceptance. These stages include, but are not exclusive to:-
Denial and Isolation - A normal reaction for our body when we are faced with overwhelming information to protect ourselves. We can do this through the blocking out of words and facts allowing us a temporary space in which to process and accept.
Anger - can sometimes be a very normal response. As the effects of denial and isolation wear off and the pain begins to emerge our body can feel anger as a defense mechanism.
Seeking to regain control - we often berate ourselves saying “if only I had ….”
Depression and Sadness - This is the beginning of the final process. This can be a practical part of the grieving process when we prepare ourselves for acceptance or maybe a farewell.
Acceptance - No one will know the pain that you have experienced but they can offer acts of kindness in the form of words and actions. This can also be a time of reflection and for some a celebration.
Denial and Isolation - A normal reaction for our body when we are faced with overwhelming information to protect ourselves. We can do this through the blocking out of words and facts allowing us a temporary space in which to process and accept.
Anger - can sometimes be a very normal response. As the effects of denial and isolation wear off and the pain begins to emerge our body can feel anger as a defense mechanism.
Seeking to regain control - we often berate ourselves saying “if only I had ….”
Depression and Sadness - This is the beginning of the final process. This can be a practical part of the grieving process when we prepare ourselves for acceptance or maybe a farewell.
Acceptance - No one will know the pain that you have experienced but they can offer acts of kindness in the form of words and actions. This can also be a time of reflection and for some a celebration.
Health & Mind / Body
When the health of our mind and body is not in great shape we can experience a range of symptoms including stress, anxiety, loss of concentration, poor sleep, reduced libido, irritability, lack of energy or motivation, increased or reduced appetite or not enjoying life as we normally would.
Talking through these issues and understanding what is happening to you is the first positive step forward in creating change. I am here to help you address and reduce those triggers that can create disconnect within your mind or body.
Talking through these issues and understanding what is happening to you is the first positive step forward in creating change. I am here to help you address and reduce those triggers that can create disconnect within your mind or body.
Low Self Esteem
Your self esteem is centered around your core beliefs and the type of person you are. When your self esteem is low you may have negative thoughts and beliefs. This can affect your personal relationships, performance at work and leisure activities.
Your thoughts about yourself may be negative, critical, self-blaming and doubting.
These beliefs can affect your behaviour, causing you to avoid or be fearful of challenges or opportunities. You may find yourself continually apologising or struggling to assert yourself.
Your emotions can also be affected. You may experience guilt, shame, frustration, anger, sadness or withdraw or feel disconnected from those close to you.
Physically you may feel extremely tired or tense.
It is important to work out what has led to feelings of low self esteem. These low feelings may be linked to something you have experienced during your formative years, an unhappy relationship or situation, or it may be related to Depression.
Together we can work towards restoring your confidence and/or address those issues which may be causing concern ie. Relationship issues, anxiety, major or long term illness etc.
Don’t let low self esteem affect your life in a negative way –
it can be managed.
Your thoughts about yourself may be negative, critical, self-blaming and doubting.
These beliefs can affect your behaviour, causing you to avoid or be fearful of challenges or opportunities. You may find yourself continually apologising or struggling to assert yourself.
Your emotions can also be affected. You may experience guilt, shame, frustration, anger, sadness or withdraw or feel disconnected from those close to you.
Physically you may feel extremely tired or tense.
It is important to work out what has led to feelings of low self esteem. These low feelings may be linked to something you have experienced during your formative years, an unhappy relationship or situation, or it may be related to Depression.
Together we can work towards restoring your confidence and/or address those issues which may be causing concern ie. Relationship issues, anxiety, major or long term illness etc.
Don’t let low self esteem affect your life in a negative way –
it can be managed.
Major Life or Career Transitions
Throughout our lives we will experience many changes. Those changes we choose are usually easier to manage than those that surprise us. How do you cope with change or major decisions in your life? Do you feel anxious, undecided, stressed, sad, paralysed?
Talking through these changes with someone can make the process so much easier. I have strategies that will be helpful in making these decisions and changes.
Talking through these changes with someone can make the process so much easier. I have strategies that will be helpful in making these decisions and changes.
Mediation
Are you in a situation that you are struggling to resolve such as parenting, finances, parenting orders or visitation with your children, family situation etc?
I can facilitate a positive mediation process where there may be a conflict or misunderstanding of a situation. I will ensure:-
I can facilitate a positive mediation process where there may be a conflict or misunderstanding of a situation. I will ensure:-
- The process is safe and comfortable
- Provide unbiased support.
- Allow for the presenting issue to be clearly understood by each party.
- Clarify each party’s viewpoint that needs to be resolved/understood.
- Create/develop an Agreement for the parties concerned.
Mental Health
We all have mental health – are you struggling to concentrate, feeling overwhelmed, tired and frustrated, feel as though you are not making the progress you wish?
Counselling can help you identify what is happening and isolate the triggers or issues that may be getting in the way of greater happiness and fulfillment in life.
Counselling can help you identify what is happening and isolate the triggers or issues that may be getting in the way of greater happiness and fulfillment in life.
Motivation
Motivation is what causes us to get a glass or water, get out of bed or read a book. It is a process that initiates, guides and drives goal-focused behaviours.
There are 3 major components of motivation:
Activation - getting started
Persistence - maintaining the effort towards that goal, despite any obstacles you may encounter
Intensity - the concentration and effort into reaching that goal
If you are feeling stuck or the obstacles just won’t move – talking to someone may help move those obstacles allowing you to become unstuck.
Talking to Fiona can help.
There are 3 major components of motivation:
Activation - getting started
Persistence - maintaining the effort towards that goal, despite any obstacles you may encounter
Intensity - the concentration and effort into reaching that goal
If you are feeling stuck or the obstacles just won’t move – talking to someone may help move those obstacles allowing you to become unstuck.
Talking to Fiona can help.
Pregnancy
Are you pregnant? Feeling confused and unsure how you are going to manage?
Talking to an unbiased person who is skilled and understands the complications of pregnancy and family life can be helpful.
I can discuss your options, provide resources and information to help you make the right decision for you.
Talking to an unbiased person who is skilled and understands the complications of pregnancy and family life can be helpful.
I can discuss your options, provide resources and information to help you make the right decision for you.
Relationship Issues
Throughout our lives we enjoy many different relationships. Some of these are within our family, friends, sexual relationships, marriage or partnerships, sporting groups or work environments.
When relationships are not working as well as we would like them to feelings of sadness, anger, despair and frustration can arise.
If you wish to improve a relationship with someone or a group of people give me a call.
When relationships are not working as well as we would like them to feelings of sadness, anger, despair and frustration can arise.
If you wish to improve a relationship with someone or a group of people give me a call.
Sex & Intimacy
Couples often talk about sex and intimacy as one – yet there is a difference.
Intimacy includes physical closeness that can result in sex. There is also emotional, intellectual, having deep heart to heart conversations, the sharing of common goals and spiritual intimacy.
Talking through these issues in a caring and trusting environment can help the development and understanding of intimacy that is desired in your relationship.
I appreciate and understand that sex and intimacy can be an uncomfortable topic. My role is to make you feel comfortable, safe and secure in allowing appreciation and exploration of the issues that are important to you.