MY STORY
For more than 20 years, I worked in family law, where early help had often not been accessed and communication had gradually broken down. I sat with couples and individuals at some of the most difficult points in their lives and saw how quickly communication can deteriorate, how resentment can build over time, and how conflict can take hold once trust begins to erode. Once trust was lost, positions hardened quickly, and the impact extended far beyond the couple, affecting children, finances, mental health, and the stability of their family's future. Children were often caught in the middle, absorbing stress they could not name, while parents struggled to make clear decisions under pressure. Ongoing tension and uncertainty took a toll on daily life, making it harder to feel grounded or hopeful about what lay ahead.
I also witnessed the contrast. When communication remained respectful, even in the middle of separation, outcomes were different. Conflict was reduced, decisions were made more thoughtfully, and the strain on everyone involved eased. The situation was still painful, but it was not destructive.
What stayed with me over time was not the legal complexity, but the emotional cost. Many people had not intended for their relationships to end. They had gradually lost their way with each other, and by the time legal processes began, frustration and hurt had often been building for years. Relationships usually start with love, hope, and shared intention, yet I saw how easily these can become buried under stress, defensiveness, and unresolved pain.
This led me to question whether some of that damage might have been reduced if support had been offered earlier, when conversations were difficult but still possible. That reflection drew me towards training as a counsellor. Coastal Connect Counselling was created from the belief that conflict does not have to define the next chapter.
I care deeply about this work and about the people who walk through my door. Counselling allows me to work at a more personal point in the process, before conflict deepens or while separation is undergoing and stability is most needed. Separation is not only a legal experience; it often involves grief for the life once imagined, uncertainty about the future, and sometimes a shift in identity.
Relationships sit at the centre of people's lives. Whether I am supporting a couple under pressure, helping someone who feels torn about what to do next, or walking alongside a person adjusting to separation, the focus is the same: helping people move through this period with greater composure and less suffering. Being able to offer that support has shaped my career and continues to guide my practice.
MY APPROACH
I work in a calm and structured way. My presence is steady, shaped by years of working in high-pressure and emotionally charged environments. Sessions are paced and guided carefully, with clear direction and practical focus. Avoiding difficult conversations rarely leads to change but addressing them with care often does. I am not afraid to have those conversations and approach them with empathy, kindness, and understanding.
With couples, I draw on specific tools and strategies to reduce conflict, improve communication, and strengthen the relationship where possible. The focus is on rebuilding friendship, increasing emotional responsiveness, and developing healthier ways of managing conflict so patterns do not continue to escalate.
With individuals, we work on identifying goals, putting practical plans in place, and developing skills that support emotional regulation and thoughtful decision-making. Part of individual counselling may involve coming to terms with the reality that a relationship is ending. This can include addressing unresolved grief or trauma from the breakdown of the relationship, rebuilding confidence and identity, and adjusting to life after separation or family change.
Part of the work involves helping people stay regulated when conversations become difficult. I use practical tools and strategies to reduce overwhelm, including breathing techniques, mindfulness skills, meditation strategies, and structured pauses when needed. In couples work, Gottman tools are used if someone becomes emotionally flooded, allowing stress and tension to settle before continuing.
What I value most in my work is empowerment, honesty, and integrity. I aim for clients to leave sessions feeling better than when they arrived, with a clearer sense of their strengths and a stronger belief in their ability to make sound decisions for themselves and their future. My goal is not for people to rely on me indefinitely, but to leave with the skills and confidence to handle future challenges independently.
Please note, I am no longer a practising solicitor and do not provide legal guidance. Where clients remain involved in legal processes, their lawyers provide that advice. My role is therapeutic. I support people emotionally so they can move through these circumstances with greater stability.
MY QUALIFICATIONS
My work is grounded in professional training, lived experience, and ongoing learning.
Qualifications
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Diploma of Professional Counselling
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Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Certification Consultation Training
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Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training
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Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
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Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
Professional Memberships
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Registered Member – Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
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Member – Psychology Today
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Provisional Member – Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA)