Psychotherapy may support participants whose disability affects their emotional wellbeing, relationships, communication, confidence or ability to participate in daily and community life.

Depending on your individual needs and NDIS goals, therapy may help you:

• Recognise and communicate emotions

• Develop emotional regulation skills

• Build self-confidence and a stronger sense of identity

• Improve relationships and interpersonal skills

• Develop healthy boundaries

• Strengthen communication and self-advocacy

• Manage stress and difficult emotional experiences

• Increase confidence in social and community settings

• Develop practical coping strategies

• Build greater independence and participation in everyday life

Therapy does not focus only on symptoms. We explore how your experiences affect your daily functioning, relationships, choices and ability to engage with the world around you.

My approach is trauma-informed, person-centred and respectful of each participant’s individual needs, pace and preferences.

Rather than asking, “What is wrong with you?”, trauma-informed therapy considers, “What has happened to you, and what support do you need now?”

Sessions are designed to promote emotional safety, choice, collaboration and empowerment. You remain actively involved in identifying your goals and deciding what feels helpful throughout the therapeutic process.

Living with persistent pain can affect every aspect of life, including emotional wellbeing, relationships, confidence, sleep, work and participation in everyday activities. When pain continues beyond the expected period of healing, the nervous system can become increasingly sensitive, making everyday experiences feel more difficult and overwhelming.

Therapy provides a supportive space to better understand the connection between the body, emotions and the nervous system. Rather than focusing solely on pain itself, sessions help you develop greater awareness, emotional resilience and practical strategies that can reduce the impact pain has on your daily life.

My approach is compassionate, trauma-informed and tailored to your individual experiences. Together, we work towards improving your quality of life, increasing confidence, and supporting meaningful participation in the activities that matter most to you.

How Therapy Can Help with Chronic Pain

Psychotherapy can support people living with persistent pain by helping them:

• Better understand the relationship between the nervous system, emotions and chronic pain

• Reduce the stress, fear and anxiety that often accompany persistent pain

• Develop emotional regulation and self-awareness

• Improve coping strategies for difficult days

• Build confidence and self-efficacy

• Improve relationships and communication with family, carers and health professionals

• Increase participation in work, education, family and community life

• Reconnect with activities that bring meaning and enjoyment

• Develop greater acceptance while continuing to pursue valued life goals

Therapy complements medical and allied health treatment and can form part of a multidisciplinary approach to managing persistent pain.

A Whole-Person Approach

Persistent pain is rarely just a physical experience. It can influence thoughts, emotions, behaviour, sleep, relationships and overall wellbeing.

My therapeutic approach recognises that every person's experience of pain is unique. Together, we explore the factors contributing to your experience while building practical skills to support both emotional wellbeing and everyday functioning.

Whether pain has developed following injury, illness, surgery or other life experiences, therapy offers a safe and collaborative space to move towards greater confidence, resilience and quality of life.

Chronic Pain and NDIS Participants

Some NDIS participants experience persistent pain alongside their primary disability. Where therapy aligns with a participant's NDIS goals and funding arrangements, sessions may support emotional wellbeing, confidence, community participation, relationships and daily functioning.

Therapy is always tailored to the individual's goals and is designed to complement the care provided by their medical and allied health team.

Depending on your age, circumstances and goals, therapy may incorporate:

• Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt therapy supports greater awareness of your emotions, body, thoughts, behaviours and relationships. It can help you understand recurring patterns and discover new ways of responding to difficult situations.

• Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy

Trauma-informed psychotherapy recognises how overwhelming experiences can affect emotional regulation, relationships, confidence and daily functioning. Sessions proceed at a safe and manageable pace.

• Play Therapy for Children

Children do not always have the words or maturity to explain what they are experiencing. Through therapeutic play, children can explore feelings, develop confidence, practise new skills and make sense of their experiences in a developmentally appropriate way.

• Nature-Based Therapy

Where appropriate, nature-based approaches may be incorporated to support grounding, sensory awareness, emotional regulation and connection.

• Support for Children and Young People

Children and young people may benefit from therapy when they experience difficulties with:

• • • • • Understanding or expressing emotions

        • Emotional regulation

        • Confidence and self-esteem

        • Social interactions and friendships

        • Behavioural or sensory challenges

        • Change and transitions

        • Anxiety or fear

        • Family relationships

        • Participation at school or in the community

Therapy is adapted to the child’s age and developmental needs. Play, creativity, movement and sensory experiences may be used alongside conversation.
Parents and caregivers may also be involved where appropriate, while respecting the child’s privacy, safety and therapeutic needs.

• Support for Adults

Adults may seek therapy to develop greater understanding and capacity in areas such as:

• • • • • Emotional awareness and regulation

        • Trauma-related functional challenges

        • Confidence and self-advocacy

        • Relationships and communication

        • Social connection

        • Managing change and uncertainty

        • Personal boundaries

        • Everyday coping skills

        • Community participation

        • Developing a stronger sense of self

Therapy is collaborative and focused on goals that are meaningful and relevant to your everyday life.

As an unregistered provider, I may be able to work with:

• Self-managed NDIS participants

• Plan-managed NDIS participants

• Participants paying privately

I am currently unable to directly provide funded services to participants whose relevant support budget is fully NDIA-managed.

Before commencing therapy, participants should confirm that the proposed service is consistent with their NDIS plan and goals. Plan-managed participants may also wish to confirm the service and payment arrangements with their plan manager.

Fees, session length and payment arrangements will be discussed before therapy begins.

For plan-managed participants, invoices may be sent to the nominated plan manager. Self-managed participants may pay directly and manage reimbursement in accordance with their NDIS arrangements.

Funding availability cannot be guaranteed. Participants remain responsible for confirming that they have sufficient and appropriate funding available within their plan.

With your informed consent, I can communicate with members of your support network, which may include:

• Parents or caregivers

• Support coordinators

• Psychosocial recovery coaches

• Plan managers

• Speech pathologists

• Schools or educators

• Other treating professionals

Collaboration can help ensure that therapy remains connected to your broader goals and supports. Information is only shared with consent, except where disclosure is required by law or necessary to address an immediate safety concern.

Referrals from support coordinators, psychosocial recovery coaches, plan managers and other allied health professionals are welcome.

When making a referral, please include:

• The participant’s name and contact details

• Whether the plan is self-managed or plan-managed

• The participant’s relevant goals

• The primary reason for referral

• Any communication, accessibility or safety requirements

• The preferred person to contact regarding the referral

I am also available to discuss whether my therapeutic approach may be suitable before a formal referral is made.

1. Initial Enquiry

Contact me to briefly discuss the support you are looking for and whether the service may be suitable.

2. Funding and Service Confirmation

We will confirm whether the participant is self-managed or plan-managed and discuss fees, invoicing and service arrangements.

3. Initial Session

The first session provides an opportunity to understand the participant’s needs, experiences, strengths and goals.

4. Individual Therapy Plan

Together, we will identify an appropriate therapeutic direction based on the participant’s circumstances and goals.

5. Ongoing Review

Therapy goals and progress will be reviewed regularly. With consent, relevant updates may be provided to the participant’s support team.