Every individual is unique, with their own view on worldly matters, their own reactions and responses to circumstances and situations that take place in their lives and their own reasons for considering counselling.

Whilst making initial contact with a counsellor can seem a little daunting, the process of counselling gives you the opportunity to speak with someone non-judgemental, who will really listen to what you are saying and who will try to understand you.

Some people are still reluctant to choose counselling as an option when things are tough. In some circumstances people leave it until it is so unbearable, that the person finds that there is no other alternative than to see k help.

Sometimes the people closest to you may not understand your situation, or you may feel you do not want to burden them with your worries. Or they may well be part of the problem you are experiencing… Counselling isn’t magic, counselling can’t change the external circumstances you have to deal with. Counselling can help you explore strategies that assist you in coping with your difficulties, as well as allow you to gain some insight into your own behaviour. This is really valuable information for change, especially in times of stress when we all find it hard to see things clearly.

• Individual Counselling

  Individual counselling can be useful at many different times in a person’s life. It can help you to gain insight into your thoughts, feelings and behaviour as well as provide you with strategies for coping with significant changes or transitions which are causing you difficulties. This is really valuable information for change, especially in times of stress when we all find it harder to see things clearly.

  Counselling may also help people who are struggling with confidence and self esteem. Often this presents itself in how you relate to others through your work, your relationships and your social life.

  Whether you are aware of your self esteem or not, it is constantly present and influences all aspects of your life. Self esteem means how you value yourself, what you believe about yourself, and what you believe others think about you. It is a state of mind which is reflected in many of the things you say and do. Often self esteem is damaged by neglect or abuse at some stage in our life. Having a healthy self esteem is mostly about being at peace with yourself and having the confidence to believe in your ability to take responsibility for your desires, thoughts and actions.

  Whilst making initial contact with a counsellor can seem daunting, the process of counselling gives you the chance to talk in private with a person who will really

  listen, try to understand you and if necessary provide you with the tools which will help you bring the desired changes into your life. It can be a great relief to talk to someone outside your situation who is non-judgemental, who will not offer advice, and who won’t be hurt or upset by what you say.

  If you feel that individual counselling may be useful to you, or if you would like further information, please contact me.

• Relationship Counselling
  Maintaining a healthy relationship is a life-long commitment. Regardless of our age or life experience, relationships will continue to challenge us throughout our lives and every relationship will have its own unique set of issues to deal with along the way. Like anything of value, relationships need to be looked after and to do this both parties need to be committed and available.

  There are a great many factors that can send a relationship into crisis. The most common are when:

  • The trust in the relationship has been shattered by an affair or a violation of boundaries
  • There is a growing lack of respect
  • There is unresolved conflict that persists and affects the quality of the relationship
  • Difficult conversations are avoided there is no effective communication to resolve problems
  • There is a loss of loving feelings or diminished desire between partners
  • There is a lack of commitment to keep the relationship a priority
  • There is an inequality of power where one person feels controlled in the relationship
  • There is abuse in the relationship

  Counselling can help you to identify your own areas of concern as well as offer tools that can help you develop skills to improve the communication, health and vitality of your relationship. If both parties are willing to accept responsibility for their part in the problem and work towards change, it is possible to come out at the other side with a stronger, more fulfilling relationship. Counselling can also help with difficult life transitions after relationships have ended. If you would like more information about how counselling may be able to help you, please contact me by either phone at 0459 321 967 or email me.
• Grief & Loss Counselling
  Grief is the reaction people have to any loss in their lives.  It includes a wide range of responses which vary with each person, the type of loss and its meaning to them, and their particular circumstances and experiences.  The death of a significant person in one’s life is a major loss, but grief can be felt about many losses.

  Examples include:

  • The ending of a relationship
  • Moving or migrating
  • Losing a job, health, a pet, a role in life
  • Giving up something that mattered a lot
  • Losing a dream

  When people grieve, they are coming to terms with what has changed in their lives.  At the same time, they are beginning to find new ways of going about their lives to cope with the gaps that the loss has created.  .

  Coping with Grief – am I going mad?

  It may certainly feel like it at times! Many people feel such intense emotional pain following a death or significant loss that they wonder if they can survive.  Grief affects people physically, emotionally, psychologically and spirituality.  At the same time, many people are forced to make major adjustments to their lives and learn new skills at a time when they feel least able to do so.  Receiving validation and permission to grieve is important in the recovery and healing process.  It may be hard to believe it in the early days, but the pain does ease and thoughts about the person who has died become more comfortable and the happy memories are treasured.

  How Long Will This Go On?

  Grief is not an experience that has a tidy beginning, middle or end.  The journey through grief is a unique and highly individual experience which can take varying periods of time.  Rather than focus on a timeline it is perhaps more helpful to focus on its intensity and duration.  Numbness, yearning, anger, and despair are just some of the many and varied feelings which are experienced while grieving and progress is made as these feelings are worked through.  Freud called this grief work.

  What’s the Best Way to Cope with Grief

  All of us are individuals with different cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, personalities and life experiences which influence the way in which we deal with grief.  Every person needs to make meaning of the loss for themselves, and find a way of healing the wound that the loss has created and in this sense, there is no right way or wrong way of coping.

  Its important to remember however that grieving is a natural and necessary process that most people are able to experience and emerge from in a healthy manner.  However, sharing your experience with others may help you to combat the aloneness, loneliness, sadness, depression and rage that can overwhelm you.  Support can also provide acceptance and a safe place to sit with your grief and your unique way of grieving.

  Any continued fears or anxieties about your well-being or thoughts of self harm should be addressed by seeking help.  Prolonged intense emotion or obsessional thoughts or behaviour that makes functioning difficult may also require help.

  If you would like help in coping with a grief or loss situation, please feel free to contact me.

• FAQ's
  Is the service confidential ? ” Yes, the content of the sessions is wholly confidential, however there are exceptions in extreme circumstances. How many sessions will I need? This varies from person-to-person and can depend on the sort of issue you are bringing. We can talk about this further after the first session, but as a general guide, counselling lasts for as long as you are finding it is beneficial and useful for you to attend. How long do sessions last? Sessions last approximately one hour, however a longer session can be requested when booking. Where are you located? I’m located at Shop 7/11 Boys Avenue, Bellhilltop Maryborough Queensland. How much does a counselling session cost? My fee for a one hour counselling session is $50.00. Please note that Medicare rebates are not applicable. Do you accept payment by paypal or direct debit to my account? Yes I do, the money needs to be in the account prior to the session beginning.  If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me
• Informed Consent
  The process of informed consent provides an opportunity to ensure the shared venture of counselling is fully understood.

  The Counselling Process

  Download Consent Form The length of the counselling session over the phone is one hour.  The attached consent form will need to be signed and returned to me before the first session starts.

  After the initial session we will mutually agree to how many counselling sessions are required, taking into consideration the nature of the presenting issues.

  Confidentiality

  I will make every effort to ensure what my clients share in our sessions remain confidential.  There is however some legal and ethical requirements that may make it necessary for me to discuss information about our counselling together with other professionals.

  These situations include:

  • If you advise there is any danger of you harming yourself or another person
  • If you are under 18 years of age and report any sexual abuse to which you have been subjected.
  • If I am required by the courts to release any information

  Protecting Your Privacy

  I am committed to maintain the highest standards in protecting your privacy, and I make every effort to adhere to the Guidelines for Federal and ACT Government World Wide Websites developed by the Australian Privacy Commissioner.

  Basically, these guidelines state that the following principles will be upheld:

  • Collection of information must be lawful and fair
  • Inform people why information is collected
  • Ensure personal information collected is of good quality and not too intrusive
  • Limit the use of personal information to the purpose for which it was obtained
  • Prevent the disclosure of personal information to external parties

  The only information collected by this web site is that which is provided specifically by you on the Contact page. That information will be used solely for the purpose for which you provide it. Your email address will not be added to any external mailing lists, nor will any of the information you provide be disclosed to any other party for any other purpose, without your prior consent.

Testimonials

I can highly recommend a visit to Stacey or even a phone session . I have had some tough times to get through and without stacey advice , help or guidance . I would not be here today , as a man that was at rock bottom . She helped me back on track !!!! The best by far !! Michael Talbot