My Profile
I am a qualified counsellor with specialist study in grief, loss and bereavement. My skills lie in addressing the feelings of loss surrounding the death of a loved one and grief associated with parenting children with additional needs. I am also passionate about working with individuals experiencing all types of loss, including the premmie baby experience, to fertility issues and prenatal loss. My approach is non judgemental and one of compassion and empathy.
Master of CounsellingGrad Cert (Bereavement Counselling and Intervention) Dip Counsell MEd (SpEd Iccl&Early Int)BEd, DipTeach(EC)NDIS registered
My working life began as a kinder teacher where, for 15 years, I supported children and families experiencing a myriad of issues. I decided to return to study in 2011, gaining my Masters in Special Education. My move to intervention work involved supporting parents of children with additional needs, including premature babies. Throughout the course of my work and personal journey as a parent of children with additional needs, I continually noted the positive impact that one on one support in the counselling room can offer.
TESTIMONIALS
I approached Kate because I had struggled with the loss on my beautiful mother over the last 18 months or so, coupled with other major challenges in my life and could not see a way out.Kate helped me by actively listening to me talk about everything going on in my head. I had a lot of information to spill. The result was I walked away from our first meeting with a huge sense of relief ... a massive load off my shoulders.One thing I liked was her ability to make me feel at ease. That I felt comfortable talking to her about everything and anything. I found the experience provided me with an actual forward moving direction in my mind and for my life. I am extremely grateful to Kate for helping me work through what I needed to do to get my life back on track and out of a hole.I would recommend Kate to people who need help, guidance and support in times of tragedy, loss, conflict and uncertaintly.
-Thank you Kate, ML
After both of my two children were diagnosed with ASD, life took a toll and I was heading down a road to a dark place. Crying myself to sleep, drinking too much too often and I couldn't talk about my kids with out breaking down in tears. I was functioning but I was desperately unhappy and suffering in silence. After reaching a really low point, I decided I didn't want to be unhappy anymore, for my own sake and for my the sake of my kids.I was reluctant at first at the thought of attending counselling sessions and yes it was confronting and emotional but looking back now, it was a major turning point and the best thing I could have done. Kate helped me through the most difficult time of my life. I was broken. I felt completely comfortable to pour my heart out to her. I cleared my soul. She guided me and gave me the tools to put myself back together.Since then I have attended various seminars where they have emphasized the importance of looking after yourself and your own happiness because that impacts on your children too. I don't think that it's a complete coincidence that since I have improved myself, that my children also improved.I now have a better frame of mind, a more positive approach and outlook, more hope, confidence and a better acceptance of who I am and how our life is. I will forever grateful and so glad I took that leap of faith with Kate.
- Monique Cain Author: The Everyday Autism Series www.theeverydayautismseries.com.au (click address for link)
Ethically Responsible Practice
At Peppertree Counselling ethically responsible practice is of upmost importance. This includes:
- Informed consent
- Dignity and respect
- Principles
- Duty of care
- Boundaries
- Dual relationships
- Self-disclosure
- Confidentiality and its limits
- Privacy
For a detailed brochure please click here.
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