about kate

Mother of two and adventurous at heart, I decided to leave my corporate career behind because it just didn’t align with my values and priorities anymore. I completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling (University of Southern Queensland) and realised my dream of becoming a Registered Counsellor (Australian Counselling Association).

In 2021 my family relocated to Tasmania and fell in love with the wild state. We currently reside in Hobart.

My first passion and degree was in Politics and International Relations. I often get asked how I ended up being a counsellor. In my humble opinion, the causes of our pain and trauma can be traced beyond individuals to far reaching social, political and economic structural issues, policies and challenges. In a way, the most political thing I can do is to support someone through healing and recovery.

I have particular interest in supporting families through the pregnancy and postnatal period as I trained as a doula in my 20s and then experienced my own journey with post natal depression and anxiety with my two children. My wish is that no mother should walk the journey of matrescence feeling alone. I was so passionate in this space that I worked as an educator in the maternity care sector alongside Midwives, Allied Health professionals, naturopaths, acupuncturists and yoga instructors promoting collaborative care models and practices. It’s the philosophy that I bring to my counselling work too.

Mothering two big energy kids means I have had to delve deep into the world of parenting theories, models and strategies. I bring a relatable, honest approach to what it is to raise children in today's modern world. My kids watch TV a few times a week and tell me I am the worst mother in the world when I say no. I am finding my way too.

I have experience working with a variety of trauma, grief and loss, relationship challenges and difficult life circumstances. I have worked for several years with individuals and families experiencing complex mental health issues or experiencing significant life transitions and changes.

The Formal Bits

Graduate Diploma (Counselling), University of Southern QLD

Doula Training, Australian Doula College

Bachelor International Relations (Political Science), Griffith University

Working with Vulnerable Persons Check (TAS)

National Police Check (Current)

Professional Development

Gottman Couples Therapy Level 1 (June 2022)

Introduction to Internal Family Systems (October 2022)

Solution Focussed Brief Therapy (May 2023)

Introduction to ACT with Russ Harris (Nov 2024)

Advanced Grief and Loss Workshop (Nov 2024)

My Approach

 

At Wander Within, I work integrativelly, which means I weave techniques, counselling theories and models to develop a bespoke, unique approach for each person. No two weaves are the same.

I can work with you using a mix and blend of theories and strategies from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Compassion Focussed Therapy, Mindfulness and Internal Family Systems Therapy….or whatever works best for you! After all, you are the expert in your own life and I am here to serve as a guide and space holder for your own process of discovery and healing.

 
 

COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is possibly the most established, researched and widely accepted modality for treating mental health issues. It understands the whole person as having thoughts, feelings and behaviours which all influence each other - both positively and negatively. When our mental health is poor or we have prolonged low mood or unhelpful behaviours, we can often understand them better and make changes by looking at the three parts as a system that reinforces itself. This is called the Cognitive Triangle or Dyad. The Cognitive Triangle can be harnessed to bring about sustainable and long term change for a whole range of challenges, patterns, habits and mental health conditions.

Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS or Parts Work)

Developed by Dick Schwarz, these model of therapy is based on the premise that we have ‘parts’ of us that operate in different areas of our lives with their own feelings, behaviours and motivations. You may hear yourself say ‘there is a part of me that feels xxx and another part of me that feels xxx’. This model helps us move out of ‘parts’ running your day to day life and back into your centre Self. The work we do in IFS can be transformational, healing and lead to profound positive changes. The core philosophy is that ‘there are no bad parts’ which means even the most hurt and challenging parts of us, trying to protect us with their difficult behaviour, are welcomed. 

MINDFUL SELF COMPASSION WORK

Based on the work of Kristin Neff and Chris Germer, this model offers the ingredients and recipe book for learning a new way of relating to ourselves and the world. Some studies have shown it is can be the direct remedy for the key areas of struggles reported by new mothers. If you have ever wondered but HOW do I be more self compassionate, then this is the model for you.

BRIEF SOLUTION FOCUSSED THERAPY

Ever wondered about coming to therapy looking for solutions and yet all the focus is on talking about problems? In this short-term goal-focused evidence-based therapeutic approach that features positive psychology principles and practices clients are supported to change by constructing solutions rather than focusing on problems. In the most basic sense, SFBT is a hope friendly, positive emotion eliciting, future-oriented vehicle for imagining a world without and around the problems that exists. It helps us lift our eyes out of the muck and see the forest for the trees.