About Shirley

My path into counselling has been shaped by a lifelong curiosity about how light shapes what it shines on, belonging, healing, and what it means to feel at home in ourselves and the world.

Having experienced migration, displacement, grief, chronic illness, and significant life transitions, I understand that healing is not often a matter of fixing what is broken. More often, it involves creating space to listen deeply to our stories, our bodies, our relationships, and the places that sustain us.

I am a PACFA-certified counsellor offering trauma-informed support to individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, grief, loss, life transitions, identity, displacement, and experiences of not belonging . My approach integrates contemporary counselling practice with embodied awareness, somatic approaches, Process-Oriented Psychology, Narrative Exposure Therapy, mindfulness, and nature-based practices.

At the heart of my work is a belief that every person carries an innate wisdom that can guide healing and growth. Together, we create a compassionate and reflective space where difficult experiences can be explored safely, new perspectives can emerge, and a deeper sense of connection can be cultivated.

I offer counselling in Bendigo and online across Australia, working with people from diverse cultural, spiritual, and life backgrounds.

Whether you are seeking support through a difficult period, processing past experiences, or exploring questions of meaning, identity, and belonging, I welcome the opportunity to walk alongside you.

How Am I a Counsellor?

I hold a Master of Counselling (Holistic Practice) and have undertaken additional training in Sensorimotor Guided Drawing, Somatic Eco-Psychotherapy, and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET). I am also training with the Australian and New Zealand Process-Oriented Psychology Association (ANZPOP) towards a Diploma in Process-Oriented Psychology, a professional doctoral-level training.

I currently work as a counsellor and advocate supporting people who have experienced torture, trauma, forced displacement, and refugee-related experiences. My previous roles have included working within sub-acute residential mental health programs, out-of-home care services for young people, community drop-in centres supporting people experiencing substance use challenges, and in-home care for older adults.

These diverse experiences have deepened my appreciation for the many ways people navigate adversity, healing, resilience, and belonging. They continue to inform my therapeutic practice, which is grounded in compassion, curiosity, and respect for each person's unique lived experience.

My Promises to You

Your grief is welcome here.
I witness every day the courage it takes to sit with sadness, loss, uncertainty, and despair. You do not need to hide your tears or carry your burdens alone. All parts of your experience are welcome.

I believe in your capacity to heal and grow.
My role is not to tell you who to be, but to walk alongside you as you discover your own wisdom, strengths, and possibilities. When trust in yourself feels distant, I will hold hope with you until it becomes easier to find.

I will strive to offer a safe enough space.
I am committed to working with integrity, healthy boundaries, compassion, and transparency. My intention is that you feel seen, heard, respected, and accepted exactly as you are.

Here are our options for connecting.