Finding My Way to This Work
My path to becoming a therapist has been anything but straightforward. At thirty, I left a good marriage, only later understanding how trauma had shaped me. Through my forties, I searched; men's groups, various therapies, looking for something I couldn't quite name. It wasn't until sixty that my most transformative work began: years of steady therapy that helped me make sense of my wiring and meet my parts with compassion.
That journey taught me what I now know in my bones: the struggles we face aren't failings but adaptations; brilliant ways our system has tried to keep us safe.
An Unconventional Background
Before therapy, I spent decades in teaching and IT consulting. In 1980, I was using computers to help kids learn at a time when computers were only just entering schools; not because I was visionary, but because I saw how technology could reach students who struggled with traditional methods. Those "difficult" kids everyone wrote off? I recognised something of myself in them.
Being neurodivergent in a world that didn't yet have that language meant spending decades feeling fundamentally different. Now I understand this difference as variation, not deficit; a perspective that shapes how I work with anyone who doesn't fit narrow categories.
Meet Me
In this short video, I introduce myself and share my approach to working with clients. You'll get a sense of who I am and how we might work together in creating a safe, comfortable space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Why This Work Matters to Me
My 14-year-old daughter recently told me about the mental health crisis in her school. I see young people trying to manage overwhelming experiences with limited tools. I see adults carrying decades of being told they're "too complex" or "treatment resistant." Having been through my own labyrinth of searching, I know these labels often reflect system failures, not personal ones.
After hundreds of hours of my own therapy, I'm not afraid of sitting with pain, complexity, or the parts of ourselves we've been taught to hide. This isn't about having answers; it's about being willing to stay present with whatever emerges.
How I Work
I bring together Gestalt therapy (present-moment awareness and relationship) with Internal Family Systems (compassionate understanding of our different parts). Your protective strategies aren't problems to eliminate; they're trying to help. We'll work WITH them, not against them, finding new solutions at your pace.
What makes my practice different:
- You're the expert on your experience; I'm a curious companion
- All parts of you are welcome, especially the "difficult" ones
- We explore what happened TO you, not what's wrong WITH you
- Focus on integration and wholeness, not just managing symptoms
Professional Foundation
I began formal study later in life, completing a Master of Gestalt Therapy in 2024. My qualifications include:
- Master of Gestalt Therapy
- Diploma of Teaching
- Certificate in Holistic Counselling
- IFS Level 1 Official Training (completed)
I am a PACFA Certified Practising Counsellor (Registration No. 31720), adhering to the professional and ethical standards of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
I hold a current Queensland Blue Card (Working with Children Check) - Card No: 2468463/1, Type: P - ensuring I meet all requirements for working with children and young people.
I maintain regular supervision and my own therapy because this work is too important to do alone. Every client teaches me something new about resilience and adaptation.
Who I Am in the Room
I'm a cisgender man who welcomes all gender identities and expressions. As someone neurodivergent, I don't make neurotypical assumptions. Whether you're navigating trauma, feeling stuck despite years of trying, or simply sensing that something needs to shift, we'll create a space where you can explore without judgment.
Our first session is about understanding your unique story. There's no right way to "do" therapy; we'll find what works for you.
What is Gestalt Therapy?
Gestalt therapy is an experiential, humanistic approach that emphasises awareness, presence, and the therapeutic relationship. It encourages clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations in the here and now, recognising patterns and meaning as they arise in the present moment. Rather than analysing the past, we bring attention to how it lives in your current experience and interactions.
What is Internal Family Systems (IFS)?
IFS is a therapy model based on the idea that we are made up of different parts, each with its own perspective and role. Some parts protect us, others carry pain, and all are trying to help us in their own way. IFS helps create a compassionate inner relationship, guided by what's called the Self; a calm, curious, confident presence that can listen and lead. IFS and Gestalt work beautifully together in deepening awareness and fostering inner healing.
Confidentiality & Boundaries
I treat everything you share in our sessions with the utmost care and respect. Our work together is confidential, with rare exceptions where I'm legally required to disclose information; such as if there's an imminent risk of harm to you or others, or in cases involving child abuse. Where appropriate and possible, I will discuss any necessary disclosures with you beforehand.
Use of AI Tools: To maintain accurate clinical records and support professional supervision, I may use AI tools to help create session notes. When using these tools, all identifying information is removed; no names, addresses, dates of birth, or other identifying details are ever shared with AI systems. This de-identified approach helps ensure comprehensive documentation while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality.
Our therapeutic relationship is supported by clear boundaries. We'll meet during scheduled sessions, communicate professionally, and I do not engage with clients on social media. These boundaries help create a safe, contained space where meaningful therapy can unfold.
I adhere to the ethical standards set out by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). You can read more about these standards in the PACFA Code of Ethics.
If you have any questions about confidentiality, boundaries, or the use of AI tools, I'm happy to discuss them during our initial consultation.