​Specialising in creating a safe space where you can befriend yourself,
​explore and extend what you like, what you value,
​and what brings ​joy to your life.
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​About Natalie
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Register No. 23300
In addition to private practice, I work part-time at Northern Centre Against Sexual Assault (NCASA). 

I specialise in working with people experiencing difficulties with anxiety, depression, stress, sexual assault, trauma, chronic or life-threatening illness, life changes, addiction, and grief/loss.

I work from a person-centred, feminist, trauma-informed foundation, integrating emotion-focused and somatic methods to suit each person.

I hold a Master of Counselling at La Trobe University and am a registered clinical member of the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). Committed to on-going learning, I undertake regular supervision and professional development.
Lifestyle Medicine
I help people implement evidence-based lifestyle medicine to live well and enhance their healing capacity. I specialise in working with people affected by chronic or life-threatening illness,

I studied primary education at Victoria University, majoring in Health & Physical Education. After teaching for a short time, I left Australia in 1988 to travel the world. A couple of weeks later, I landed at my first meditation retreat in Ireland. Thus began my healing journey...

Eventually I re-trained in body/energetic therapies and set up my first practice. In 1997 I moved to a Tibetan Buddhist centre on the south-west coast of Ireland to continue learning meditation and train in supporting people facing death.

In 1998 I returned to Melbourne, again set-up private practice, and assisted Dr Ruth Doherty (Founder, Annwn Institute) to deliver professional development programs in natural healing for health professionals.

In 2007 I undertook an intensive 3-year meditation training, culminating in 15 months retreat, then completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Counselling & Human Services.

​I worked at the Gawler Cancer Foundation for 3 years, providing counselling and teaching lifestyle medicine for those affected by cancer, multiple sclerosis and other chronic conditions.

In addition to supporting anyone dealing with chronic illness, I continue to be available for on-going support to people who have attended programs with The Gawler Foundation, or Drs Ian and Ruth Gawler.
MEDITATION
I'm an accredited meditation teacher with  the Meditation Association of Australia. 

Having taught for 18+ years, I specialise in the therapeutic use of meditation for health and wellbeing. 

I offer Relaxation & Meditation courses, short retreats, and tailor professional development for groups and organisations.

Meditation has been part of my life since 1988 - pivotal in my own healing.  Daily practice, regular courses and retreats deepen the benefits of meditation and strengthen my ability to face whatever life brings with more serenity, clarity and openness than I ever imagined possible.  

These are some of the gifts of meditation that I love sharing with others.
​About Brendon
COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY
Register No. 23299
​I work with individuals, couples and families, and supervise other therapists.  I also consult with organisations to help them improve their internal & external working relationships.  

​My expertise includes working with addiction, separated families, palliative care, psychiatric rehabilitation, higher education, workplace counselling, and family transitions.  I'm particularly interested in working with people who experience themselves as marginalised by common workplace, therapeutic, or educational practices and assumptions.

I work from a person-centred foundation, integrating Process/Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT/PEEFT), psychodrama, and psycho-education according to need.

I hold a Master of Counselling at La Trobe University, and Post-Graduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology at Curtin University.

I am dedicated to developing my knowledge and skills through on-going supervision and professional development, and am a registered clinical member of the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). 
EDUCATION & training
I've been teaching communication skills and counselling at La Trobe University since 1997.  

In 1996 I became the inaugural Volunteer Trainer & Coordinator at McCulloch House Palliative Care.  For 7 years I trained volunteers in skills and qualities necessary to effectively help people with terminal illnesses.  Breaking the mould of colleagues' expectations by recruiting undergraduate university students, I discovered another passion - helping others act on their own passion for helping others!

I've also designed and delivered training for various palliative care agencies, and conducted qualitative assessment of staff training programs for Melbourne University.
IMPROVISATION & PERFORMANCE
I trained in jazz at Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and acting at Sydney Drama Action Centre.  

In 1992 I joined Playback Theatre Sydney, and throughout 1994 I travelled throughout Australia, New Zealand, North America and UK performing with various Playback Theatre companies, and trained with Jo Salas and Jonathan Fox in New York.

On resettling in Melbourne, I trained with Al Wunder at Theatre of the Ordinary in improvised theatre for many years, culminating in three entirely improvised shows.

Other performances include: composer & musician in "Sex and Death" (Alchemy Dance); assistant director in "Black Dog", Monash Uni Student Theatre; assistant director, composer & musician in "The Vampire Is Chasing" Theatre Of Love And Fear; and improvisor in "TOTO Leaves Home" Melbourne Fringe 2002.

The spontaneity and delight of improvisation continually inspires all my work.  I'm currently exploring opportunities to teach this art form.