BA (Hons) Theology, MA (Counselling), PhD, CCAA Member
Psychotherapist, EMDR Therapist, Gottman Couples Therapist

I have been involved with psychotherapy for the past 25 years. My experience initially was with marginal communities in Africa, people devastated by HIV (Aids). This resulted in a pioneer work called ‘Hands of Hope’. This NGO cared for orphan children who had lost both their parents. This care involved physical, emotional, and educational needs. This was my genesis into the field of psychotherapy. My initial work was mainly family and marriage counselling. My supervisor at University in South Africa was instrumental in giving me a love and passion for psychotherapy. I studied my MA and PhD with him and undertook clinic work in many communities that needed mental health as a result of trauma and loss. I immigrated to Australia in 2009 to continue my work as a psychotherapist in private practice.

I realised that a strong and healthy home is everything. When the marriage is threatened, the flow down effect upon each family member is huge. If we have healthy families, we have strong communities that can benefit society. This sparked my interest and informed my training to become a Gottman-trained therapist. The Gottman method is an approach to couples therapy that includes a thorough assessment of couples’ relationship and integrates research-based interventions with the goal to disarm conflicting verbal communication; increase intimacy, respect, and affection; remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy; and create a heightened state of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship.

Having served in the armed forces for 3 years, I understand the effects of anxiety and PTSD of those coming out of active service. I have a deep passion to help both men and women who struggle with trauma, which sparked my interest in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Its effective treatment in a wide range of mental disorders has been very encouraging, hence the reason why I provide EMDR as an evidence-based treatment modality at Zest Infusion.

My work in Christian counselling has also involved pastors who have suffered with burnout and emotional fatigue. Many of these people have no one to turn to and I believe this an important part of my psychotherapy.

I am an approachable and compassionate psychotherapist, working with several evidence-based therapies. These include CBT, ACT, EMDR, and Gottman Institute Couples Therapy. I see and work with adults. This work ranges from mental, behavioural, and emotional needs.

Areas that are of special interest to me include:

1. Marriage and relationship issues
2. Work transitional counselling
3. Depression
4. Anxiety
5. Trauma
6. Burnout and emotional fatigue
7. Grief and loss