Guiding principles
The following principles as described by Blue Knot Foundation - National Centre for Complex Trauma Excellence underpin CHC's approach to supporting clients recovery from trauma.
Safety
Your physical and emotional safety is paramount. CHC offers respectful, confidential support tailored to your needs and delivered at a pace you're comfortable with.
Choice and Control
Your right to access information and make informed choices about what will be helpful in your recovery will be supported and fostered.
Trust and Collaboration
CHC will listen, check in, and work with you to support you in reaching goals that are relevant to you and your situation.
What is trauma informed counselling?
What is trauma?
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Trauma refers to distressing experiences that overwhelm a person’s ability to cope. It can result from events like abuse, accidents, loss, or violence.
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Complex trauma is repeated, ongoing, and significant interpersonal (between people) trauma – such as violence, abuse, coercive control or exploitation.
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Trauma can affect our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, how we physically feel, and our relationship with ourselves and others.
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​CHC offers:
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A phased approach to trauma counselling that is tailored to your needs and delivered at a pace that supports your sense of safety and empowerment.
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Information about the impacts of trauma on our bodies and brains - to help you understand what might be happening with your thoughts, feelings, behaviours and physical responses.
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Strategies to help safely calm and reset the internal systems of our bodies that can become overwhelmed in response to experiences of trauma.
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Support to understand and manage the impacts of trauma on our sense of self and in the context of connection and relationships.
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Referrals to services and support to assist with your safety, recovery, connection and achieving the goals that are important to you.
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“Trauma-informed services do no harm i.e. they do not re-traumatise or blame victims for their efforts to manage their traumatic reactions, and they embrace a message of hope and optimism that recovery is possible. In trauma-informed services, trauma survivors are seen as unique individuals who have experienced extremely abnormal situations and have managed as best they could”. (Dr Cathy Kezelman)
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About Me.
Hello! I'm a compassionate, approachable, down to earth professional based in Lithgow NSW and I am honoured to have worked with people who have experienced interpersonal trauma for the last 20 years. After an early career in travel, events and television, a strong sense of social justice influenced my decision to recommence study in social work. I started this new chapter working with victim-survivors of domestic and family violence while living in Canada. After moving to Australia, I completed my studies (BSocSc, DipCouns, DipComServ(AOD/MH), DipApQualAud, CertIVTAE, CCTP), and I have been working in the fields of domestic and family violence, homelessness, and community work ever since. I have 15 years of direct counselling experience as well roles in complex case management and consulting - primarily assisting community service organisations with accreditation, funding and policy development. I am passionate about offering equitable and accessible services within the community, and have served on various Boards for local community service organisations. I am committed to ongoing professional development with a keen interest in the neurobiology of trauma. Other modalities that underpin my practice are Narrative and Somatic therapy, Response Based Practice, Mindfulness, CBT and ACT. Outside of work I can be found marvelling at nature and exploring the beautiful landscapes that I am lucky enough to live in.
Registration and Memberships
Australian Counselling Association Registered Level 4 Counsellor #15223
The Australian Counselling Association is a peak body for counselling in Australia. Registered Counsellors are required to adhere to practice standards, and are accountable to a professional code of ethics and complaints procedure.
Victims Services NSW Approved Counsellor #A3008
In addition to practical and financial support, Victims Services offers counselling to victims of crime within NSW. As an approved Victims Services Counsellor, I must adhere to Counselling Guidelines and clients are protected under the Charter of Victims Rights.
Blue Knot Foundation Professional Member
Domestic Violence NSW Associate Member
Blue Knot Foundation is the National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma and Domestic Violence NSW, is the peak body for Specialist Domestic and Family Violence services in NSW.
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CHC is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional