Let me introduce myself and why I came to the counselling profession…

I have been a passionate Physiotherapist and Psychosomatic Health Coach for many years in Germany, and working now as a Manual Lymph Drainage Therapist and Reflexologist for more than 10 years in Australia. Throughout my career, I had the opportunity to work in various areas but specifically enjoyed supporting acutely injured para- and quadriplegic patients on their road to recovery. Witnessing their progress and helping them regain functionality to lead fulfilling lives was a very satisfying part of my work.

During this time, I became very involved in my patient’s daily challenges, setbacks and frustrations as they strived to establish a ‘new normal’. I grew to be not only their physical therapist, but also as someone who supported their mental and emotional recovery.

To expand and strengthen my skills at that time, I embarked on a three-year course in Psychosomatic Health Coaching. Through this program, I leaned to assist individuals facing significant life challenges, addressing both their physical and mental symptoms with a holistic and multidisciplinary approach. In that role I also presented and worked with employers of VW in Germany during Health and Wellbeing workshops, focused on wellbeing and prevention of burnout and stress related health conditions, specifically for those in high ranking and stressful positions.

Living now for many years in Australia, I have spent a lot of time working with individuals with acute and chronic illness and associated physical obstacles. In my quest to deepen my understanding, I pursued a Diploma of Counselling, enabling me to offer a more comprehensive range of services to my clients.

Within the field of counselling, my primary interest revolves around the Management of acute and chronic Illness, Loss and Grief, Relationship and Mindfulness Counselling, applying a person-centred approach working with the framework of Solution Focused Brief Therapy as well as ACT, Acceptance and Commitment therapy.

Loss and Grief have been captured my interest because I was challenged myself with many losses early in life and I had been very lucky that I always got the support I needed to learn to live with it.

Those times taught me as well how important relationships are, when you are young and throughout the years later in life - emotional support, compassion and unconditional positive regard from family and friends and sometimes even from strangers are paramount.

Mindfulness Counselling had been part of my Health Coaching in Germany already and was to me most powerful when implemented into other therapies.

Ultimately, I firmly believe that a holistic approach, with my knowledge and many years of experience in treating people, is the key to successfully helping individuals regain balance, health and happiness in their lives again.