From the moment you get in touch, I’ll make sure that you feel comfortable, supported and heard.  I’ll work to understand what’s going on for you, the challenges that you’re facing and the changes that you’d like to make. Then we’ll work at your own pace to gain more insight into the issue, explore your emotions and thoughts and find creative ways to spark change. 

I can help with a range of issues including:

• • Managing anxiety and stress
  • Relationship Issues (including non-traditional relationship structures such as non-monogamy and polyamory).
  • Couples counselling
  • Grief and loss (including pet loss, relationship break-ups and perinatal loss)

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• • Making big decisions
  • Changing unhelpful patterns of behaviour
  •  Self-esteem and self image
  • LGBTQIA+ issues 

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Stress and Anxiety Management

If you’re struggling to manage your stress levels, feel burned-out or constantly on-edge, I can help you. I use a range of evidence-based approaches to help you to learn what stress is, explore how it is impacting you and find practical strategies to reduce stress in your life. 

Relationship counselling

Relationships bring a host of challenges, and these often cause feelings of distress, anxiety and uneasiness when they arise.  Whether you’re feeling anxious or distant in your relationship, want to improve your communication skills or feel stuck in a constant cycle of conflict, I can help you to gain a  deeper understanding of what’s going on and find practical ways to address it. 

Non-traditional relationship structures such as non-monogamy, polyamory and kinky relationships are supported here.  I can help you to work through challenges including jealousy, coping with adding new partners to your polycule, conflict or competition with metamours, negotiating boundaries, communication skills, repair after a relationship rupture and healing attachment wounds. I also love combining my knowledge of anxiety management with relationship counselling to help people who are experiencing intense anxiety as a result of opening up their relationship or exploring polyamory. 

This is a sex-positive practice that affirms everyone’s right to bodily autonomy.

LGBTQIA+ Inclusive

I celebrate diversity and people of all genders and sexualities are welcome here. If you identify as a member of the LGBT community, or are questioning your gender or sexuality, this is a safe space for you. Even if your concerns don’t center around your gender or sexuality, it can be comforting to speak to a counsellor who supports your right to be yourself. I run a weekly clinic at Qhub in Ballarat every Friday which is open to members of the LGBTQIA+ community, their families and carers.

Grief and Loss Counselling

Grief is often associated with bereavement, but it can also show up after the end of a relationship, after losing your job or during a big life transition. Grief counselling isn’t about “getting over” the loss or finding ways to forget what’s happened. It’s about exploring the feelings that arise and finding ways to validate and honour your experience. Every loss is unique, and I will support and comfort you as you move through your grief. You will be empowered to move at a pace that feels right for you as you begin to come to terms with your loss.

Flexible Service Delivery

I offer online counselling sessions to clients Australia-wide.  Attending your appointments online means that I can help you even if you live far away. This might be comforting to you if you live in a small community, and would prefer to see a counsellor that you aren’t likely to run into at the supermarket!

You can attend your appointment in the comfort of your own home or office, and you don’t have to worry about travelling or parking.  I offer sessions outside of business hours to accommodate clients who have busy schedules to make it easier for you to access counselling support. 

If you’re not sure if counselling is right for you, give me a call or send an email to ask me a question. I’d be happy to chat with you to help you to decide if Fairy Wren Counselling is a good fit for you.

Fairy Wren Counselling is not a crisis counselling service. If you are struggling with a matter that is urgent or life threatening, please call 000 or phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 for 24-hour telephone support.