Services
Psychological Counselling & Therapeutic Services
Denise provides a therapeutic counselling service on the Sunshine Coast
These early experiences can present in many forms with children as they develop and grow into adults. Parents may experience children with behavioural issues, social isolation and difficulties, bullying, learning disorders, poor concentration, hyperactivity, dysregulation of emotions and many more.
It is well documented that the importance of attachment and exposure to trauma has a direct impact on our emotional, psychological and physical development and is critical to how every individual perceives their world and builds foundations for their future.
However on the other hand, often many children have been given the very best start in life and may still experience some of these social situations such as bullying, low self-esteem, social isolation, learning difficulties, hyperactivity, suggestions of a mental health diagnosis OR in many cases can be a high achiever but struggles with social skills and fitting in.
It is through the use of art and play therapy that children learn to find their unique and authentic self to build on their confidence and self-worth.
This is complemented with the use of body talk which helps the individual to feel balanced and addresses the underlying issues. All sessions are designed for the individual in mind, are non-intrusive and factors in a holistic approach.
Counselling provides people with a safe and confidential space to work through personal and relationship issues that are troubling them. Counselling can help people to identify existing strengths, learn new skills and coping strategies to enhance their self-awareness and resilience.
Counselling can also transform traumatic experiences into strength and wisdom which instigates healing, personal growth, self-worth and positive change in their lives.
Denise’s overall therapeutic model is child and family focused which is underpinned by attachment & trauma theory, evidence based practice, strength and solution focused. Her general counselling style is humanistic and collaborative.
Together in a safe and respectful space Denise and the client look at what the client would like to be different in their lives and work towards these goals.
Within the larger therapeutic frameworks, Denise draws on a variety of counselling and therapeutic modalities including CBT – cognitive behavioural therapy, ACT Acceptance and commitment therapy, Brief Solution Focused attachment & trauma theory, narrative, experiential, somatic and sensory attachment therapy, sensorimotor initiatic art therapy and body talk.
The option of combined modalities and interventions used will be influenced by the client’s framework for viewing the world and personal style and preferences, the presenting issues, counselling goals and the stage of therapy.
Denise does not operate a crisis response service and works on a strictly scheduled appointment basis. If you feel you need immediate mental health support or any other immediate support please call 000 or alternatively one of the support numbers click here.
Book Appointment Online
Psychoeducational Programs
Denise is an experienced, dynamic and approachable trainer. She uses a combination of informative and experiential learning, visual aids such as power point, short videos, small group discussions and activities in her programs. Her most popular programs delivered are:
Challenging Behaviours for Day Care Educators
Innovative Solutions and Inclusion Support
Circle of Security® Parenting™
is a parent-reflection program offering the core components of the evidence-based and internationally acclaimed COS protocol.
The program presents video examples of secure and problematic parent/child interaction, healthy options in care giving, and animated graphics designed to clarify principles central to COS. Circle of Security Parenting implements decades of attachment research in an accessible step-by-step process for use in group settings, home visitation, or individual counselling.
Bringing Up Great Kids
For helping professionals and parents build a relational relationship with their child.
Parenting Program (developed by the Australian Childhood Foundation) uses the metaphor of ‘Messages’, to encourage parents to explore and reflect upon the evolution of their parenting style and resources them to examine the messages they pass onto their children through their behaviour, interactions and emotional reactions.
Parents learn about the brain development of their children and understand how to meet their children’s growing needs. Through the program, they are supported to build attentive communication with children. Parents also reflect on and explore the meaning behind their children’s behaviour and develop an awareness of the cues that trigger off unhelpful or ineffective responses.
Both programs are based on attachment theory, parent self-reflection and support parents to:
- Develop emotional intelligence and resilience in your children
- Understand the underlying cause of behaviour and reduce, rather than contain it
- Understand what your unconscious parenting style is
- Know how to change cyclical family parenting styles
- Help your children sleep independently and gently at their pace
- Improve your relationship with your partner and get on the same page with parenting your children.
- Survive the early years of childhood without losing your own self identity
Clay field Therapy
Sensorimotor Initiatic Art Therapy
Contact Denise to discuss your training needs.