What is very exciting and absolutely fact is that you are the expert of your life and you have all you need within to bring clarity and agency to your life!
Maybe it doesn’t feel quite that way right now but together lets try to understand this a little better.
Your experiences and the language you use to make sense of those experiences are the framework around your life. We all make decisions based on what we consciously believe to be true about ourselves. But what about the unconscious? Which part of you is actually driving your bus?
Together in partnership, we can explore the origins of your beliefs, understand your suffering and gain agency of life being informed by the Internal Family Systems model, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, somatic or body awareness, mindful awareness, art activities, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT or Tapping) to process emotions and more.
I invite you to join me in a private and respectful space where you can relax and be you while together we explore, get creative and uncover what you seek.
A Little About Me
I am a registered social worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers and have over 18 years’ experience supporting people within the community.
I really love seeing the growth people create for themself when they get to know who they really are. I love seeing people really enjoy being them. I think we can get lost in negativity and self-doubt about ourselves because the world can be really tricky to navigate at times. People have history, people have many various experiences and often we don’t have to the tools to make sense of it all. Let me help. I am constantly learning from you, from being personally challenged and from continuous professional learning. My emphasis is on together, together we can discover the answers to your wonderings, the wisdom in your own answers and the marvelling at how heart filling to journey actually is.
Lets get curious together!
I have a Bachelor in Behavioural Science, a Masters in Social Work, have completed the 8 months Internal Family Systems Counselling Association training: Stepping Stones and Stepping Deeper (for more information click here: https://ifsca.ca/ )
and… I am certified in Emotional Freedom Technique also known as EFT or Tapping. EFT is a research supported and approved modality in therapy. Check out more on the EFT page.
I love to play with art in my spare time and we can use art as a tool to express and learn. I want you to feel safe and understood at all times so I am guided by you.
Click on the LinkedIn icon below for my full CV.
NDIS service provision
I also specialise in Assessment Recommended Therapy and Skills Training and Functional Capacity Assessments for individuals and groups for people with NDIS plans (see Fees for further information).
Testimonials
“I have been in counselling with Donella on and off for a couple of years and I can’t recommend her highly enough. Donella has been an absolute inspiration in helping me deal with my own personal emotional difficulties. Her knowledge and understanding for the way the human emotions evolve and distract is phenomenal. I have seen a few different therapists before but have never had anyone able to help me in the way that Donella has. Her very relaxed easy going approachable techniques had me feeling more like I was chinwagging with an old friend rather than attending therapy.” – J.B
“Donella’s exceptional understanding, compassion and effective tools empowered me to move forward and overcome challenges I was facing. Donella created a safe and non judgemental space where I felt comfortable. One aspect of Donella’s approach that truly resonated with me was her integration of art therapy into our sessions. Donella skilfully utilized the insight from art to guide our discussion and interventions. Donella helped me recognize patterns, identify limits and develop strategies. I whole heartily recommend Donella to anyone seeking a therapist whom has empathy and understanding.” – KMA
“Donella was my Mentor during my Placement Practice with A R C Centre. We developed a friendship in this time and I continue to see her as my Mentor. She’s incredibly kind and open minded and her ability to think deeply into any situation made me look deeper into myself. Donella is the most encouraging person I know, who truly aims to help others to recognise their inner strengths and beauties. Donella helped me to believe in myself and I owe a significant amount of my confidence to her. I wholeheartedly recommend Donella to all who are wanting to become more in touch with themselves and who are wanting to feel more at peace with who they are. She’s amazing and she will definitely help you to recognise how amazing you are too.” – RJR