EXPERIENCE. KNOWLEDGE. INTUITION.
Drawing on my own lived experience
At the age of 23, a serious nervous breakdown left me with global amnesia. This and other symptoms were later diagnosed as Complex-Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. (C-PTSD)
What followed over decades was my search for the truth: the sense of self, personality and values I'd lost. Throughout the process, I had to find ways to overcome extreme fears and despair whilst developing a new identity.
Without help, I battled alone for years to reinvent myself. I didn't realise, at the time, that the techniques I developed in my desperation to help myself would one day help thousands of others to transform their lives.
A quest for spiritual meaning
My quest for meaning led to a lifelong study of world faiths, philosophies and metaphysics.
My broad knowledge is enhanced by psychic and spiritual experiences grounded in evidence. These capabilities allow me to specialize in existential and spiritual crises.
Catalyst and Pioneer
My Australian peers refer to me as a catalyst and pioneer. My short courses are considered a benchmark for excellence in the personal development industry.
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I pioneered presentations on career-planning in schools throughout Melbourne, setting a trend for business-people to conduct mock interviews in schools.
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I wrote the first prescribed school-to-work transition text used in schools throughout Australia and the Pacific Basin for over a decade. (Give Yourself a Go! Longman Cheshire1991, six reprints, including Penguin Paperback and Braille editions.) My work became the model for school-to-work transition programmes.
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I was commissioned by the then Department of Employment Education and Training (DEET) to write a text for government retraining programmes. Career Comeback (Pitmans 1992) addressed the needs of mature people in career transition, including women re-entering the workforce.
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I was the first to conduct short courses and workshops on personal topics like confidence-building in Australia, again setting a trend. Previously, short courses had focused solely on professional development. Each new course I developed filled a gap.
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I was the first to conduct workshops on the emotional needs of retirees. Previously, courses had only addressed financial planning.
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Long before podcasts were created, I produced and presented my own weekly talk-back radio show Wise Ways for 20 years. Questions and comments were received from as far afield as England and America.
Corporate Consulting and Executive Coaching
I have over 40 years’ experience working in and consulting across a wide range of industries in both public and private sectors.
This has given me a keen understanding of key issues, enabling me to coach and train individuals to better deal with work-related challenges and to significantly improve their competencies, confidence and contribution. I have secured a reputation for getting results.
Media Exposure
Because of my personal story and my broad professional experience, I was regularly contacted for interviews and to provide expert commentary for Australia's national press, radio and television.
Presentations and Tutoring
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Keynote and topic-specific speaker to audiences (sometimes over 1000) at corporate conferences, clubs, festivals and lifestyle exhibitions with consistent enthusiastic audience feedback.
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Regular tutor and examiner of first-year medical students at Monash University for over a decade, in topics such as Mindfulness and interpersonal skills.
Counselling and Psychotherapy
As an Integrative Counsellor, I integrate a variety of therapies and techniques to suit each client, frequently designing resources for their ongoing use. My psychotherapy approaches are based on lived-experience.
Examples of Consulting
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for the amalgamation of four private primary schools—developed the strategic and marketing plans, new policies and procedures
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for a university Rural Mentor Scheme to encourage doctors to work in rural areas—developed processes including all documentation
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for various professionals and associations including charities, local government and small businesses—created strategic plans and structures and compliance documentation and developed cost-effective and efficient practices
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for both public and private sector firms
- conducted needs analyses for training requirements and morale-measuring surveys to reduce high turnover
- developed and designed human resource protocols and documentation including performance appraisal schemes, recruiting and exit interview processes and anti-discrimination
- created and delivered training programmes in topics such as leadership, teambuilding, time management, workflow systems and conflict management
Qualifications and Certifications
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Master of Counselling (Edith Cowan University)
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Graduate Diploma Clinical Supervision (BASA Education Services)
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Advanced Diploma Solution-Focused Counselling (Centre for Effective Therapy)
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Diploma Solution-Focused Counselling (Centre for Effective Therapy)
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Advanced Diploma Transpersonal Counselling (International Institute for Healing Arts and Sciences IKON)
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Diploma Transpersonal Counselling (Phoenix Institute)
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Intuitive Use of Archetypes (Dr Carolyn Myss)
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Reiki Level I: Ushui Centre
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Reiki Level II: Ailee Chin
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Fellow of the Institute of Linguists (English & French) (London)
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Advanced Certificate in Business Communications London Chamber of Commerce
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Master Certified Coach (Pentangle)
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Master Certified Coach (Go Mad®)
Licences
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Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) Levels I and II
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Strong Interest Inventory® (career planning tool)
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Personal Archetypal Readings (Barbara Stone)
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Intuitive Use of Archetypes (Dr Caroline Myss)
Professional Memberships
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Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) (Clinical Level)
PACFA College of Supervisors -
Australian Counselling Association ACA (Level 4)
ACA College of Supervisors -
CG Jung Society
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Australian Society of Authors