A little bit about me

I’m Shannon — a qualified and registered clinical counsellor and psychotherapist who is incredibly passionate and committed to supporting people in their process of self-exploration, healing, recovery, acceptance and personal growth.

Since my late teens I have been fascinated by psychology, relationships and the intricacies of the human experience. This curiosity, combined with my personal life experiences and self-study eventually led to my years of clinical training and work as a therapist, supporting people from all walks of life.

Along with private practice, I have extensive experience working with adolescents and adults across a variety of settings including NGO’s, hospitals, high school, community and crisis support.

At the heart of my work, I am driven by my belief in the adaptability, strength and resilience of individuals and their capacity to grow, heal and recover in ways that are meaningful to them. This is something I have had the privilege of witnessing time and time again. I also believe the quality of our relationship to self and to others is fundamental to our mental health and wellbeing, and therapy can be a safe, open and creative space for this to be explored and transformed.

See below to get a feel for ‘how’ I work with my clients.

Qualifications & Memberships

I hold a Bachelor degree in Counselling and I am a candidate for the Master of Science in Medicine (Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy) with The University of Sydney.

I am registered as a Clinical Counsellor and member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) which has rigorous ethical and professional development standards and requirements to maintain registration.

I am also a trainee member of the Australia and New Zealand Association of Psychotherapy (ANZAP)

Will be collaborative, relational and down-to-earth. I want professional, evidence-based therapy to feel accessible and relatable, not cold and clinical. I meet you with curiosity, compassion, and with a wholehearted acceptance of the messiness that comes with being a human.

Whilst my practice is grounded in psychodynamic psychotherapy with a focus upon attachment, I take an integrative, ‘whole-person’ approach to my work, meaning I draw from a range of therapy modalities to meet the unique needs of each person I work with. I consider all the parts and systems that make up you and your ‘world’— both past and present — to support you to make sense of what’s going on for you currently. I also consider the nervous system and body-mind connection, and the relationship between somatic (bodily) and psychological and emotional challenges.

As a trauma-informed therapist with specialised training in working with complex trauma, I have a deep understanding of the complex and lasting effects of trauma in its various forms — how it shapes the way we see ourselves, our relationships and how we move through the world. This understanding sits at the heart of how I work.

Therapy with me…

I draw from and integrate my experience and training in a range of evidence-based models of therapy that includes long-term psychotherapy, in combination with more focused and practical approaches.

  • Contemporary Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

  • Attachment Theory 

  • Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB)

  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Self-Psychology

  • Developmental Psychology

  • Mindfulness-Based Therapy

Approach & Modalities

I work with people who are needing support with:

  • Relationship Challenges - intimate / romantic relationships, dating, family, friends, community, work

  • Trauma - childhood trauma, relational trauma, Complex PTSD, PTSD

  • Emotion Regulation Challenges

  • Developing Healthy Coping Mechanisms

  • Anxiety and Depression

  • Adolescent Mental Health Challenges

  • Grief and Loss

  • Relationship to Self / Identity

  • Navigating and Adjusting to Change and Life Transitions

If you're dealing with something not listed here, don't hesitate to reach out. We can discuss whether I would be the right fit, or I can connect you with someone who may be a better match.

Who do I support?