Our People

Hi,
I’m Kate

I have been informally counselling and caring for people who are at their most vulnerable for over 25 years as a Registered Nurse. I have worked in the public, private and not for profit sectors in cancer support. With the experience of my own personal losses and challenges and those of many others who I have helped throughout my career, I have gained a deep understanding of the complexities of the varied emotional, physical and mental challenges that we face in our daily lives and our diverse individual responses. 

With a special interest in Counselling those affected by a cancer diagnosis, I have been in environments when good and bad news has been delivered, through frustrations of managing treatments, through acute illnesses, surgical procedures and through times that should be celebrated. I have held the hand of a loved one as they have neared the end of their life and comforted patients and families as they try and navigate the myriad of emotions a cancer diagnosis can bring.

Above all I have been there to listen when those affected by a cancer diagnosis have felt they have not been heard.

As a Registered Counsellor, I bring experience and a personal and empathic approach to counselling to help you navigate the various emotions that you’re probably experiencing right now. I’ll help you work through these emotions within a safe and non-judgemental space to help you make sense of what is happening and to help you find strategies to move forward.

I use an Integrated Counselling approach – this means using a variety of techniques that are person-centred and individualised to you. These may include, but are not limited to, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behaviour based approaches. I’ll work with you to help you identify your concerns, to find your inner resources and to support you in your decision making.   

Qualifications             
Bachelor of Applied Science, Nursing
Diploma of Counselling (AIPC- Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors
Advanced Study Major – Grief and Loss Counselling (AIPC)
Advanced Study Major – Mindfulness Based Therapies (AIPC)
Advanced Study Major – Relationship Counselling and Conflict resolution(AIPC)
Cert IV in Bereavement Support - Australian Centre of Grief and Bereavement

Professional Memberships              
ACA – Australian Counselling Association
CV- Counsellor’s Victoria
AACBT – Aust. Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy
CNSA – Cancer Nurses Society of Australia
AHPRA – Aust. Health Practitioner Regulation Agency

Hi
I am Nikki. 

I have worked in healthcare for the past 20 years, across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. I have been working as an Oncology Nurse for the past 10 years.

In this time, I have closely supported many individuals and families through the challenges, anger, uncertainty, confusion and worry that invariably accompanies a life-altering cancer diagnosis.

My own personal experiences with loss, as well as the usual challenges that are part and parcel of daily human life, inspired me to formalise the emotional care, support and counsel I instinctively offer when caring for someone. 

As a Registered Counsellor, I want to work with you. What I can offer you is a toolkit of ideas, approaches and strategies as we work together to re-discover your own unique resources and strengths.

In essence, I adopt a holistic Person-Centred approach, placing you at the very centre of our work together. Whilst I draw upon the principles of various counselling-based approaches, namely Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, I am committed to tailoring our work together to you – to your individual needs, beliefs, values and hopes. I also have a firm belief in the mind-body-breath connection, routinely incorporating various Mindfulness-based techniques to support and expand our work together.

But, ultimately, sometimes all that we just need is a listening ear.  Someone who will listen without judgement, or an agenda to ‘fix’. I promise to always bring compassion, warmth and care as we walk together to harness your innate resources.

Qualifications
Bachelor of Health Science in Human Movement, First Class Honours
Bachelor of Nursing
Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing and Palliative Care
Breast Care Nursing Foundations for Practice
Graduate Certificate in Bereavement Counselling and Interventions
Diploma of Counselling – Study Majors in Addiction Counselling, Abuse, and Relationships & Conflict Resolution
End-Of-Life Doula Training
Funeral Celebrant
Yoga Instructor
Bowen Therapy Practitioner
Reiki Level I and II

Professional Memberships
ACA - Australian Counselling Association
CV – Counsellor’s Victoria
AHPRA -Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Association
ANF - Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation
CNSA - Cancer Nurses Society of Australia
Australian Doula College
Natural Death Advocacy Network
Physical Fitness Australia