Coaching means assisting clients to get from the situation they find themselves currently to where they want to be professionally and personally. Coaching can help people to set actionable goals to improve their work life or performance in a particular area. Sometimes, there are challenges and obstacles or people feel confused or believe they have lost their way or they don’t know what they really want. Coaching helps them to re-discover, re-think and re-frame their goals, beliefs and expectations. They get to crystallise what is really important to them, personally or professionally, and the outcomes they want.

A coach works by asking searching questions of the client, unearthing their motivation and background, listening attentively, reflecting on what is said with keen insight. Often the coach may reframe or challenge the client’s thinking in a way that enables the client to refine and set new or better goal/s.  The pace is faster and smoother than if the client had done it on their own. The client’s confidence and self-esteem grows, their aims become clearer and they develop a more focussed approach to life.  Why? Having support and someone who understands and guides you helps in clarifying and achieving goals besides re-discovering your passion in life.  I believe the purpose of coaching should be “Never try to be a copy of someone else; just become a better version of yourself.”

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) supports employees with work-related and personal problems which may impact their job performance, health & mental well-being.  An EAP offers employer-funded confidential counselling for employees (for a number of sessions) as well as on-call support for managers and supervisors to address employee and organisational needs.  (Employers are only invoiced when a call for services is made.)

Businesses can see the effectiveness of an EAP through the ongoing rehabilitation of their workers and rise in their work productivity. Our EAP programs include support for employees with relationship, emotional, financial, migration/relocation, gambling and drug abuse issues. We also work with employees showing depression, anxiety and occupational stress which may stem from harassment and bullying at work or in personal arenas. We also assist employees from CALD and other ethnic backgrounds in a culturally appropriate way because of our deep knowledge, continuing experience and networks.

Employers who provide an EAP can help themselves and their employees by lowering risk and liability, improving employee satisfaction and morale. Other benefits are lower medical and psych-related costs, reduced turnover/absenteeism, and higher productivity. The stress for small business owners or those without large HR departments is decreased particularly when they juggle numerous responsibilities with little support.

Key differentiators of our Employee Assistance Program:

• Direct Access via an email or phone number.
• Quick Response via telephone, zoom or face-to-face visit
• Highly qualified and experienced counsellors
• Confidentiality and Privacy assured

Service support provided by our Employee Assistance Program includes:

• Bullying & Harassment Support
• Domestic Violence Counselling, Support and guidance
• Anger Management and Behaviour change program
• Anxiety, Depression and stress
• Relationship issues
• Traumatic events
• Financial counselling & debt management support
• Critical Incident Support
• Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Counselling
• Grief & Bereavement Counselling
• Family & Parenting Counselling
• Separation & Divorce Counselling
• Culturally appropriate counselling for CALD clients

Our Services are also available in the case of Redundancy or Termination

• Termination Counselling (employee or team members)
• Redundancy Support (ongoing for up to 3 months)
• Resume Writing support
• Manager Coaching, Support & Advice for a wide variety of events

I have over 30 years of consulting experience with private and publicly listed companies as well as not-for-profit organisations.  My experience ranges from Change Management in organisations undergoing restructuring or mergers, implementation of new systems, or change of leadership.  This comes from years of Human Resources experience at Executive Suite level in developing People & Culture, Organisation Development, Learning and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategies to link securely to the organisation’s values and goals.

Our experience includes developing and implementing Performance management systems; Learning and Development programs and ongoing workshops to address skills and knowledge shortages; writing customised Induction and On-boarding programs; developing Reward and Recognition strategies and programs to suit individual organisation’s needs.

We have recent experience in working with Aboriginal-led organisations in Change Management, Employee Assistance and Performance Development programs. This includes developing up-to-date Employee Manuals in Human Resources and Work Health & Safety Policies and Procedures for Aboriginal and Not-for-Profit organisations as well as suites of current Job Descriptions in line with Government/NFP recommended Competency-based Frameworks.

We conduct audits and advise organisations on their Diversity, Inclusion and Equity programs. Our recommendations are drawn from the perspective of a multi-cultural Australia (people from diverse ethnicities, backgrounds and lived experiences), with a range of cultures and values, which need to be incorporated and accepted from employees’ and organisational perspectives

Our Education programs aid organisations to optimise job performance and skills of individuals and groups within teams and business units. Often calledLearning and Development, the process is educational and involves the maximisation of skills and concepts, adding to employee knowledge and developing changes of attitude to help employees reach personal and company goals.  This is done through one-on-one coaching and mentoring if required or via team workshops.  In group learning programs such as Leadership skills or Teamwork, we start by doing an organisational needs analysis, understanding participants’ experiences and expectations and then aligning these with the objectives and content of the program.

We are licensed to use Team Management Systems with tools such as Team Management Profile (similar to Myers-Briggs type indicator), QO2 (how candidates address Risks & Opportunities) as well as using the WoWV (Window on Work Values).  We also use DISC and other licensed tools for Organisation change.  In both Coaching and Education, our work is based on Adult Learning principles as well as Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques.

Some of my educational programs have included –

• Embedding Human Resources skills in Line Managers
• Employee Surveys – discussing results with Teams
• Employee Assistance Programs – at Termination and post-termination
• Resume Writing – assisting Employees in Groups and Individually
• Team Workstyles and Integration (using TMI and DiSC)
• Cultural Mindfulness – cultures and differences within the organisation,
• Cultural Audits incl. organisational history, leadership styles, change management
• Leadership programs for First Nations Leaders and Managers
• Leadership programs for Manager/Supervisors

The art of psychotherapy involves being flexible and creative enough to use a practical “what would work best here” rather than a “one size fits all” approach. More important than any specific technique or philosophy is the relationship between therapist and client, which studies show is the strongest predictor of success in therapeutic outcomes. My style is warm, approachable, and interactive which enables my clients to feel comfortable and understood. This sense of personal connection is crucial for therapeutic change.

My integrated approach draws on a growing body of research on evidence-based treatments and strategies for well-being as well as the training/experience I have gained in a number of  therapeutic approaches including –  Somatic Therapy Person-Centred therapy Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Hypnotherapy Narrative therapy Psychodynamic Therapy and Positive Psychology

Psychodynamic therapy is the psychological interpretation of mental and emotional processes and while it comes from traditional psychoanalysis, it is simpler, shorter and just as effective.  It allows us insights into how psychological processes started and are maintained, and thus become contributors to current problems. This therapy also looks at emotions, thoughts, early experiences and beliefs we have formed. Then along with the use of parallel therapies, we seek to reduce symptoms and improve people’s lives.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): In Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), we understand that two things that seem contradictory can both be true. For example, just as we need to accept ourselves as we are, we might also need to change. Through DBT, awareness is raised around the polarities of ‘black and white thinking”, finding ways to entertain and integrate contradictory thoughts. DBT incorporates healthy doses of Mindfulness skills, or being fully present in the moment.

Positive Psychology: Academically, psychology has focused on treating psychiatric illness. Positive psychology is one of the newest branches of psychology to emerge, and the research in this area examines how people can live happy, fulfilling, prosperous lives. Studies suggest that sometimes even small changes can yield significant results. For example, expressing gratitude on a regular basis leads to better physical health, optimism, progress toward goals, and well-being. In the field of positive psychology the goal is not simply to decrease the “bad stuff,” but to “grow the good.” A special emphasis is placed on identifying and expanding the client’s strengths to build mastery, resilience, and a sense of meaning into their lives.

Narrative therapy: We aim to understand people’s identities and struggle for happiness through the stories they tell us about their lives and problems they have experienced. We do this in a respectful way allowing people to be the experts of their own lives. When they talk of their problems, we see these as separate from the people themselves; we work from the perspective that they have the skills and abilities to work out their current obstacles and challenges in a way which suits them. Every conversation between the therapist and the client opens possibilities for many intersections, journeys and possible directions. In these conversations, we maintain a sense of curiosity (without being inquisitive) about what has been happening for them and asking them respectful questions when the answers are not obvious. This comes from the belief that they are the masters of their lives.

Somatic Therapy: This therapy includes many tools to help in developing more awareness of our bodies and its sensations. At times, clients may be in their heads (mulling over intellectual beliefs) and may need grounding, our coming out of ‘fixations’ or stresses. We help them to call on their emotional resources and encourage movement (which may include yoga, walking, breathing, stretching and other physical techniques).  Some other therapies included here are Autogenics (Relaxation and Visualisation, Influencing and Balancing our autonomic nervous system) and Radix (working with the energy flow that gives rise to and unites the emotions, body, mind and spirit)

Meditation / Mindfulness: Meditation is an ancient tradition of calming the mind and body to experience a greater sense of inner peace. You learn to focus your attention on one thing, remaining fully present in the moment. There is much scientific evidence that meditation/mindfulness can help with everything from lowering stress/depression levels to improving School/University grades to sleeping better. Mindfulness includes simple practices that you can incorporate into your daily life which will help you to let go of the “clutter” in your mind and achieve a calmer way of being.

I am a certified Clinical Supervisor for mental health professionals helping them in their ongoing development.  I aim to build a working alliance with them and help them in critical reflection of their recent work experiences – particularly ones they are struggling with, want to understand more fully or want to explore further.

I believe clinical supervision has three main purposes:

• Formative – developing the person’s skills and expertise via education and experiential learning
• Restorative – helping them stay effective by supporting their journey through stress and distressful experiences
• Normative – supporting them in maintaining established standards as well as the quality control aspects of their clinical practice.

Usually, I meet regularly with the counsellor/therapist (via zoom or in person) and explore how they may improve their practice – reviewing circumstances and techniques they may have used or suggesting different modalities – all in a safe space for reflection and showing  trust and positive regard .

I specialise in providing clinical supervision for Cross cultural services, Family and Domestic Violence workers, Indigenous mental health and Trauma work teams.  I do not take over from your organisational manager but always maintain an independent relationship thus allowing for honesty, preventing a conflict of interest and promoting the building of the practitioner’s professional skills through increased awareness and understanding of the complex human, environmental and ethical issues within their work practice.