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​Natalie Murley

Counselling & Psychotherapy

I specialise in working with individuals experiencing difficulties related to anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, chronic or life-threatening illness, life changes, addiction, and grief/loss.  I also work with people who wish to explore existential issues, personal growth and spirituality. 

​In addition to private practice, I also work part-time at a Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA).

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.

Meditation

I've been a student of meditation for 30 years.  Whilst meditation inspires all my work, I provide individual guidance in meditation, and develop and deliver courses. 

I attended my first meditation retreat in 1988 and began teaching in 1996.  In 1997 I had an opportunity to study and volunteer at a Buddhist meditation centre in Ireland.  I then returned to Australia in 1998 where I continued developing and delivering meditation courses.

Wishing to deepen my practice, I completed an intensive 3-year meditation training, culminating in 15 months retreat in France, from 2007-2009. 

As a lifelong student of meditation, I'm committed to  daily practice, regular retreats and on-going study programs.  

lifestyle medicine

I've always had a passionate interest in health and wellbeing, and specialise in supporting people affected by chronic and/or life-threatening illness.

I studied primary education at Victoria University, majoring in Health & Physical Education.  Whilst living in Ireland, I re-trained in reflexology and energy healing and set up my first practice on the west coast. 

Returning to Melbourne, I continued in private practice and delivered professional training in natural healing.

After completing 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 people affected by cancer, multiple sclerosis and other chronic conditions. 

I continue to accept referrals from The Gawler Cancer Foundation, as well as from Drs Ian and Ruth Gawler. 

I welcome anyone who wishes to explore lifestyle options for improving wellbeing and treatment outcomes. 

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Brendon Murley

COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY

​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 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.