“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.”

— Peter Levine

At its core, trauma is about feeling overwhelmed and alone in something that was too much to process at the time. We can experience trauma in our system after a single event or from ongoing stressful experiences. The experience of trauma can show up as tension, anxiety, shutdown, or a sense of disconnection.

Sessions initially look like talk therapy. You come in and sit in a chair opposite me like traditional Counselling. I start to get to know you and together we track the felt sense of what we are working through. Our sessions may incorporate some Somatic mobilisation (movement of incomplete responses) practices. Some people will prefer traditional talk therapy with me, and that is ok too.

Optional bodywork is available if appropriate—with consent, gentle, fully clothed touch may be used alongside talk therapy to support regulation and awareness of what’s happening in your body

“Felt sense” is a term used to describe the subtle, physical awareness we have inside our bodies. It’s not a thought or an emotion alone — it’s the body’s direct experience of something. You might notice it as a tightness in your chest, a heaviness in your stomach, warmth, tingling, restlessness, or a sense of ease or expansion.

In Somatic Experiencing, we pay attention to the felt sense because the body often holds important information about our emotions, stress, boundaries, and past experiences — sometimes before we can put words to them.

Traditional therapy often focuses on thoughts and behaviours. Attachment-focused somatic work includes your body's wisdom and nervous system patterns. We're not just talking about what happened – we're helping you experience safety in relationship, often for the first time.

The journey we take together…..

My work draws from several modalities, grounded primarily in attachment theory, Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing approach to trauma resolution and Janina Fisher’s Trauma-Informed Stabilisation Treatment (TIST) approach.

We create safety first
Before anything can shift, your nervous system needs to feel safe. This develops through a consistent, boundaried, and attuned therapeutic relationship—often different from what you may have experienced before.

We understand your patterns
We explore how your early relationships shaped the way you relate to yourself and others. We make sense of your patterns—those developed along the way to protect you, why certain responses show up, and what your body may be holding.
This is the reflective, talk-based aspect of our work.

We work with what’s held in the body
Through Somatic Experiencing®, we recognise that trauma is held in the body as well as the mind. By gently tracking your felt sense, we support your system to process and release what has been held over time.

We work with all parts of you
Using Trauma-Informed Stabilisation Treatment (TIST), we understand that trauma can fragment the self.
Rather than focusing on the event itself, we work with its effects—supporting a more compassionate, connected relationship with your feelings, impulses, and parts.

You develop an inner sense of safety
The aim isn’t long-term dependence, but helping you internalise a sense of safety and regulation—so you can move through your life and relationships with greater ease and authenticity.

Even loving parents can struggle to provide consistent attunement if they're dealing with their own stress, trauma, or nervous system dysregulation. This isn't about blame – it's about understanding why your nervous system responds the way it does and giving it what it actually needs.

No, not necessarily. Your nervous system holds the patterns even when your mind doesn't remember details. We work with what's happening in your body and relationships now – that tells us everything we need to know.

Healing takes time because we're literally rewiring nervous system and relational patterns that have been in place for decades. Some people feel shifts quickly, but deep healing and regulation is usually measured in months or years, not weeks.

Absolutely. As you heal your own attachment patterns, you naturally become more capable of secure, authentic connection with the people you love. Many clients find their relationships transform as they do this work.

My approach draws from many wise teachers:

Attachment theory pioneers like John Bowlby, Mary Ainsworth, and contemporary teachers like Stan Tatkin and Diane Poole Heller, whose work illuminates how we can heal our capacity for secure connection.

Peter Levine, founder of Somatic Experiencing, who taught me to trust the body's innate healing wisdom.

Kathy Kain, co-creator of Somatic Experiencing Touch Work, whose work brings a profound sensitivity to working with developmental trauma, especially through the lens of early needs, touch, and the restoration of safety within the body.

Janina Fisher, whose integrative work bridges trauma, neuroscience, and parts-based approaches, helping us understand and gently work with the protective adaptations that arise from overwhelming experiences.

Gabor Maté, whose compassionate work explores the connection between trauma, stress, and illness, and invites a deeper understanding of how our early experiences shape our patterns, behaviours, and capacity for self-compassion.

Kelly McDaniel, author of Mother Hunger, whose work on the three pillars of mothering deeply informs how I understand therapeutic relationship.

My own therapist and supervisors, whose boundaried, consistent presence show me what a regulated therapeutic relationship looks like.

My private fees range between $165 and $180 per 50 min session.

Clients with BUPA and ARGH health funds may be eligible for a rebate.

I am an approved Victims Services Counsellor and I accept self-managed or plan-managed NDIS clients.

Payment Options

Direct Debit is my preferred method of payment (that way we all save on bank fees). I also accept cash. If you want to pay via credit card, I can use STRIPE online, however I pass on the small transaction fee to you.

Reach Out
Send me an email sharing what's bringing you here. I'll respond within 24 business hours. What's helpful for me to know:

• What's bringing you to seek support right now

• Any previous therapy experience

• What you're hoping might be different this time

Brief Phone Connection
We'll have a 15-minute conversation so we can get a sense of whether we are a good fit for each other and I can answer any initial questions.

Three Session Foundation
I recommend starting with three sessions. This gives your nervous system time to assess safety and decide if this relationship feels right.

I will contact you within 24 business hours to arrange a brief 15min phone chat to connect and see if we are a good fit for each other.

Following this, I will send a Service Agreement outlining how we will work together including confidentiality and privacy information.

Once you have agreed to work with me by signing the agreement, I will send an automated Client Intake form. This needs to be completed at least 2 business days prior to our first session.

I will provide clear directions to our session location.