I’ve had an interest in the positive and negative influences on our ability to learn and how to improve, since childhood.

Why is it, that as we progress along life’s continuum, those things which were barriers, still impact us?

In between the demands of everyday life, raising a family, conducting a rural business, working in administration, as well as the many volunteer roles women typically fulfill, I took time out at age 30 to invest in myself.

I commenced university studies, completing a first degree which proved an excellent grounding to understand Australian society, counselling and research.  I realised that it is not just our internal thoughts but also the systems within which we live; family, work, education, government, which play an unrecognised role in what can reasonably be achieved in life.

That was a beginning but it wasn’t enough…  I continued studying, completing a graduate degree in Social Work, a profession which recognises these systems and for me, that was ‘the fit’ between systems and counselling.  Or, acknowledging the impact of these systemic stressors on our ability to fully utilise the counselling space.

Then I progressed to a Graduate Certificate in Loss, Grief and Trauma Counselling, specialising in group and individual therapy work with children, family and teachers, returning to full-time work as a Social Worker in middle-age.

After some years, I moved into hospital and community, adult mental health team Social Work and here I am now with 52 years government and non-government sector work experience in administration and Social Work.

It’s fair to say that I understand what it is to ‘do the juggling’ between self, workplace and family.

I continue to learn, understand, improve and I bring this wealth of personal, work and education experience to clinical supervision and counselling.  I firmly believe that through dialogue, education and reflection we can improve our practice and health.