Hello and welcome!

My name’s Claire. I am experienced in supporting young folks and adults to heal from a variety of challenges, including:
- anxiety, depression
- trauma, complex trauma
- relationship strain or breakdown
- grief
- life purpose, spirituality, identity
- career challenge or change, burnout
- addiction: alcohol, substance, behavioural
- life complexity

I celebrate diversity, and am respectful of each person’s unique experience of sexuality/ gender, neurotype, ability, culture, and more. I have walked alongside Aboriginal persons therapeutically, and am committed to ongoing development as a meaningful Ally.

I hold a Masters in Social Work (Qualifying), am currently on the Accredited Mental Health Social Worker pathway, and am a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers. I also have a Certificate in Sandplay and Symbol Work (Expressive Therapies) and a Bachelor of Science (University of Queensland).

My professional experience includes:  
- therapist at a residential mental health and addiction recovery service
- flexischool for adolescents from difficult backgrounds
- state high school
- domestic and family violence coordination service
- transitional housing service
- festival wellbeing
- disability support
- horse-facilitated learning service

Sessions can be:
- in my hinterland home office
- at Mary Cairncross park: private seated areas, a café , and all-ability access tracks through the rainforest
- online or via phone (so, I can be of support to you wherever you might be)
- at the Mooloolaba Salt Caves
I offer a free 20min initial consult, so that we can get to know each other and see if it’s a good fit for moving forward. If for some reason it’s not, I’m happy to support you in collaboration with another service, or refer on to better meet your needs. Sessions are $120, the first three options above are up to 1 1/2 hrs, at the Salt Caves is 1 hr. Accessibility is important to me, please reach out if finances are tight and we’ll try and find a win-win solution

Aspects of my approach

  • In sessions, you are always the boss, and will always have choice. You get to take as long as you need to decide how much you can trust me, and it’s ok for this to change. I assume that everyone who makes contact has experienced hurt of some kind before, it’s unfortunately common. Just know that it’s not neccessary to go in to detail about the awful things you’ve been through in order to heal, unless you want to. My primary job is to provide a safe, or safe enough, space for you to begin to breathe better again.

  • You are the expert on your life. I will support you to access the wisdom that you do have within, and then that leads the way. Active listening, including use of open questions and paying attention to non-verbal communication, assists content to be unfurled and explored

  • I believe that we are all doing the best we can with what we’ve got. It’s all too easy to be hard on ourselves. You will have amazing resources and insight that you are already using.

  • Your environment will be impacting your wellbeing, for better or worse. What relationships are you in? How is your family history, neighborhood, school, workplace? Do social norms or government policy affect you somehow?

  • Emotional and mental states cannot be separated from the physical body. At times I may ask you to bring attention to any physical sensations that you may be experiencing in the moment- it will show us the way forward.

  • Using figurines and perhaps a tray with sand to explore your reality. Normal therapeutic conversation may continue, or some may prefer silence. Particularly useful for working with different aspects of self, relationships (eg families), and trauma. Often incorporates art therapy and somatic techniques.

  • CBT- related therapy skills particularly useful for safety and stabilisation. Dialectics involve being able to see truth in two seemingly opposing ideas, eg fully accepting myself while also seeing a need for change. Includes mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal skills.

  • The ability to have attention in this present moment, rather than the past or future. A multitude of methods exist: exercise, meditation, art, martial arts… even washing the dishes. We can find out what suits you best. Empower yourself to be free, and more effective in life.

  • At times, it could help to discuss a theory relevant to your situation. I may provide handouts, worksheets, or recommend other resources.