Essence Counselling and Art Therapy | Medical and health

Essence Counselling and Art Therapy

Phone: +61 407 001 670

Address: Edenbrooke Estate, Seventeen Mile Rocks 4073 Seventeen Mile Rocks, QLD, Australia

Website: http://essencecounselling.com.au

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24.01.2022 Having trouble sleeping? Have you ever tried doing some art just before bedtime or when you awake during the night and can’t get back to sleep? It can be something as simple as a Scribble drawing, moving the pencil around in whatever way feels right and then colouring in if you wish. It is another alternative to journalling, where thoughts and feelings are written down. Words can be added to the artwork too. Around or throughout, or even on another page. Simple art supplies... will suffice and no art skill is needed. If all you have is a pencil or pen that’s fine too. In this instance I used coloured highlighter markers as that’s all I had to colour it in. Notice how this simple exercise impacts on your sleeping patterns. You may notice you sleep better or go back to sleep more quickly and easily. However if it doesn’t improve or gets worse it may be time to seek professional help. There are many reasons for sleep disturbance so a holistic view can be important. I frequently work with this issue and provide 1:1 counselling and art therapy sessions for women and teens. If you or someone you care about has trouble sleeping I’d like to connect with you. Call/ text on 0407001670 or message me through this page.

21.01.2022 We are very pleased to offer private health fund rebates for counselling services. This currently applies to Medibank, AHM, and ARHG (Police Health, Emergency Services Health, Phoenix Health, and St Luke's Health Funds). We are still waiting on provider numbers for Bupa, however expect these to arrive in the next few weeks. This has been a long time coming, and we hope more health funds will jump on board. This acknowledges the considerable training and professionalism of c...ounsellors, and the benefits they can provide for members. If you would like to find out more send a message or give us a call/text on 0407001670.

21.01.2022 What were you doing 10 years ago? Sometimes it is useful to look back and see how far you have come. Your achievements, how you got through tough times, and how you have become the person you are today. If you are going through tough times now, it is also useful to see that you came through tough times before, and you can do this again now. You have strengths and resources you can draw upon, and there are people that can help you along the way. ... Ten years ago I was a single Mum raising 2 teenagers. I was on the cusp of finishing a counselling degree with only a few subjects to go, and I was doing my prac in Ipswich. I was supporting people at the end of their lives, their families, and the newly bereaved. I also provided counselling support for people who had been through the 2011 floods and whose lives had been turned upside down. Through that time I also managed to do studies in natural health in remedial therapies, pushing myself to the absolute limit in what I could achieve in the time frame. I went on to complete another prac in Inala working with women and children to complete the counselling degree. Following this I started a business in holistic health working mainly with women, and also worked as a sub contractor to another business. I moved from our family home of 18 years into another smaller home, all while working 6 days a week. It nearly broke me, and to this day I say "Never again!" I repartnered a few years later, so life was looking up. Not one to rest of my laurels, I started studying art therapy to complement my other skills, and finished a Diploma of Arts Psychotherapy in 2018. I then changed the name and focus of my business to solely counselling and art therapy. I discovered this was my true passion. However all was not well on the home front. One of my children developed severe mental health problems in his late high school years which became worse and worse. Frustratingly, we were not able to get the doctor or the psychologist to take it seriously at the time. Help took way too long and then was not enough. My son took his own life in mid 2019. My frustrations with the mental health system remain to this day. For anyone who has lost a child, you will understand the devastation that follows. There are no words to express the pain. It is like the bottom has literally fallen out of your world. So I fell into the pit of grief for a good 6 months or so during which I almost closed my business. I did not know how I would go on. Slowly the veil of grief has lifted. I am learning to live with the loss, as hard as it is. Business has opened again, and I am slowly rebuilding. I've had a lot of help along the way. I am learning how resilient I am. That's another story in itself.

19.01.2022 Finding it hard to get to a counselling session? Here at Essence we are making it easier by offering phone or video link up counselling through Zoom. Although face to face counselling is often the preferred option, both for us and our clients, sometimes a phone call or video link up is better. Having a phone or video call means you do not have to leave the comfort of your home to get support. This may be preferable for you if you are busy, concerned about cross infection, h...ave transport problems, or disability that interferes with you getting to a counselling session. Or it may simply be that you prefer this form of contact. Phone and video counselling is not suitable for everyone, so it is important to weigh up the pros and cons beforehand. If you are not sure we can talk it through with you. Give us a call/text on 0407001670 or send a message through this page. Just like a regular face to face counselling session, appointments are essential.

19.01.2022 Due to the latest Covid outbreak in Brisbane and surrounding areas, and pending 3-day lockdown, we will be offering only online and phone counselling sessions until restrictions are lifted. This decision has been made to keep all of us as safe as possible. If you already have an appointment with us, we will contact you to arrange an online/phone consult or reschedule your session. All art therapy sessions in this lockdown period will be rescheduled as these are not currently able to be conducted online. Hopefully we will soon be back to normal. Or as normal as we can be. If you are finding this time difficult and need someone to talk to, message us to arrange an appointment. Call/text 0407001670 or message through this page.

18.01.2022 FREE ART ACTIVITY for anxiety I recently shared this art activity in my Open Studio group and thought I’d share it here too. This one is aimed at building psychological resources, something that is really useful for counteracting anxiety. The more strategies you have in your toolbox the better, especially in the current environment where the Covid is on our doorstep. ... Just as the imagination can be used to envisage all sorts of horrible scenarios and keep us in the trauma cycle, it can also be used for good. To imagine safety, comfort, and whatever else is needed at the time. Although it may seem counterintuitive, focusing on where we feel safe and comforted allows us to better deal with challenging circumstances. It quells our nervous systems, bringing reason back online and allowing us to make better decisions for us and our loved ones. You don’t need to be a master artist to do this activity. As you can see from the picture below, whatever level of art ability you have is fine. This is for you, not anyone else. So if it speaks to you, get out those art supplies and give it a go. The first step is to choose an animal, or let it choose you. Next think about the environment your animal would like to live in. Where it will feel comfortable and safe. Think about what it might need. You can go to town here and add in whatever you like. The main thing is that it adds comfort and safety to the image. Once that’s done, sit back and spend some time looking at it. Notice how it impacts your felt body sense. Your breathing, your posture, your body tension. Particularly focus on the comforting elements. Sometimes anxiety producing elements will appear and so if that happens, notice these and take your attention back to the comforting elements. If you think something needs changing in your picture, do that too. Take a photo of your art on your phone so you can easily access it when needed. Or put it somewhere handy. Glancing at your picture over the day can help bring a better sense of equilibrium. Let me know how you go with this activity. If you have problems with it or find it doesn’t help, I can discuss other strategies with you. I provide 1:1 private sessions where we can explore strategies that will specifically help your situation. You can contact me by messaging me through this page or calling/texting 0407001670.

17.01.2022 Do you have a teenage daughter who you are worried about? Maybe it goes along with the territory of being a parent. We worry, we stress, and we wonder what is going on in the minds of our teens. Sometimes we notice changes, little signs that all is not well. We wonder if this is normal behaviour for teens, or something more sinister. Our worry goes into overdrive.... At the same time, teens do not necessarily want to confide in parents, or other adults for that matter. Even if we find out what is wrong we may not know what to do about it. That's where art therapy can be useful. Art therapy is well-suited for working with teens. It is commonly experienced as non-threatening and enjoyable as the focus is on the art work rather than them personally. Skill level is not important. Many teens will discuss what is bothering them while working on their art, and often the artmaking helps them express it in a non-verbal way as well. This can create further discussion during or after the artmaking and lead to new understandings and actions. Like any therapy, this generally takes place over several months and has a greater effect if done on a regular basis. Often weekly or fortnightly. If you or someone you know has a teen they are worried about, I would like to connect. For enquiries or to book an appointment, use the message link on this page, or call/text 0407001670.

17.01.2022 Yes we are open again for business after a two week holiday break. Thank you for your patience while we took time out for family, rest and relaxation. Our new consulting hours for this year are: Tuesday 9am -5pm... Wednesday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 12 midday We look forward to hearing from you. Contact us on 0407001670 or message through this page. :)

11.01.2022 So often that first call is the hardest. It takes courage to make a call or send a message. It's not uncommon for people to wait for months or years even, struggling along, sometimes doing better than others, and then finally making that appointment. We often think we should be able to sort it out on our own. We do our best to hide our struggles from others, to carry on as normal. Yet behind the scenes it is anything but. I know what it is like because this has happened to m...e too. There are often fears of not being accepted, of being dismissed and not taken seriously, of being judged, of being perceived as weak. Of not being enough. Yet even heroes need help sometimes. It takes courage to ask. It takes putting yourself first. It takes making you and your wellbeing important. So important that you put on your big girl pants and your hero cape, and you make that call or send that message. Many people say they feel relieved after making that first appointment. Now that help is at hand the future starts to become brighter. So if you, or someone you know, is struggling with anxiety or depression and has been putting off getting help, I'd like to hear from you. I offer 1:1 face to face, zoom, or phone counselling or face to face art therapy sessions for women and teens on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

09.01.2022 Who else likes Fridays? Taking time out to relax, refresh, and recharge is very important for good mental health and wellbeing, and what better way than with art. If art is not your thing, find out what is. Whether it be gardening, walking in nature, catching up with friends, or sailing on the high seas, the main thing is it nurtures you - mind, body and spirit. :)

08.01.2022 How did you support your emotional well-being during our recent 3- day lockdown in South East Queensland? For me it was making art, spending time chatting with my partner, connecting with family and friends via the internet, doing a jigsaw puzzle, and celebrating the end of each day with a delicious food platter on the back deck. Choosing options that are healthy and least harmful is the way to go when looking after your well-being. Having a variety of options at your fingert...ips rather than just one go-to can be more helpful, as different things work at different times and in different situations. If you are not so happy with the way you managed in the latest lockdown and would like to find more healthy ways to cope, I’d like to connect with you. Call/ text me on 0407001670 or message through this page. I provide 1:1 counselling and art therapy for women and teens.

07.01.2022 There is something exciting about buying new art supplies for my art therapy room. Because it means the old ones are being used up by my clients. And that makes me feel happy. This week I have added a new set of acrylic paints, several new marker pens, and a couple of new art pads. But the real fun starts when the clients come in the room. Another name for the art therapy room is the Play Space. We do serious work here and at the same time we make it playful.

07.01.2022 What animal do you need right now to help you in your life? Animals are often used in art therapy, in various ways. Often as a support or anchor. Today I am introducing the owl which I drew earlier today, inspired by an owl statue at my hairdresser. I wrote a few words about my experience of the owl that I would like to share with you. The owl has the superpower of being able to see in the dark. She conserves her energy until the time is right and then she moves swiftly to ...catch her prey. Once sustained she settles back on her branch, waiting patiently until she needs to move again. As the night draws to a close she blends back into the landscape, cleverly camouflaged from her predators. We can learn much from the owl. She moves as much as she needs and no more. She waits patiently trusting that sustenance will be there. She uses her incredible sight to see where others cannot. She keeps herself safe from danger. What a clever little owl! Used as a metaphor for life, owls have a lot to offer. However the owl might not appeal to you right now. Perhaps it is another animal you need. If you would like to explore this further to support you in your life and circumstances, I would like to connect with you. Individual sessions are available by calling/ texting 0407001670 or messaging me through this page.

03.01.2022 We are closing for the year today to take a holiday break to spend time with family, rest, and relax. Business will open again on the 4th January 2021. Wishing everyone a happy Christmas and New Year filled with hope for the future. Go gently if this is a challenging time for you.

03.01.2022 FREE WEEKEND ART ACTIVITY In art therapy animals are often used to represent people. You have probably heard phrases such as they are clumsy as an elephant or quiet as a mouse or sly as a fox or slippery as an eel. These are just some of the ways we use animals to describe human attributes or characteristics. The interesting thing is that each characteristic has an upside and downside or light side and shadow side. For example a sly fox, which we might usually judge... as a negative characteristic, might also be seen as savvy. Clever even. He might be good at getting what he needs and providing for his family. Someone who is very naive might do well to take on some of Mr Fox’s characteristics, particularly the positive aspects of them. This does not mean we think it is okay to harm people. Each negatively judged characteristic can have its positive side and help us in our lives. We can also use animals to identity strengths within ourselves that are yet unacknowledged. For example we may see an elephant as strong, and then think of all the ways in which we are strong too. These might be little things or big things. Acknowledging these is good for our mental health. So if you would like to give this art activity a go here are the steps: Choose an animal or let it choose you. You could use a picture, photo or toy animal for inspiration if you like. Then using art materials of your choosing, spend time creating the animal. This could be pencil, pastel, paint, ink, collage or sculpture materials. Recycled or used materials too. Keep in mind that this is art for wellbeing so the process is more important than the product. Once your animal is finished, place it a little distance from you. Using pencil and paper, write down the animal’s characteristics as they come to you. Ones you perceive as negative as well as the positive. Look at the positive characteristics you have written down and think about how they apply to you and your life. Spend time noticing these strengths in yourself and how it feels in your body to acknowledge this. Then consider the negative characteristics of your animal. For each negative, write a positive aspect of it. Using the fox example above to help you if needed. Spend some time with this also, noticing how it is to see the negative characteristics from a different perspective. Think about your own life. Reflect on how this animal and its characteristics apply to you. What characteristics did you previously see as negative and now see as helpful? Consider how you could integrate these into your life if appropriate. I hope you enjoy this activity and find out something new about yourself. If you have trouble with it let me know. I provide individual counselling and art therapy sessions too. Simply call or text on 0407001670 or send a message through this page.

02.01.2022 Are you feeling stuck and wondering what to do? Most of us feel stuck at some time in our lives, particularly at key points when what is currently happening is not working so well for us. For example in our intimate relationships, our work, or our family life. We might be fluctuating between staying put, and putting up with what is happening, and moving on. The fear of making the wrong move and making things worse can be holding us back. This stuckness is often what brings p...eople into my therapy rooms. Often the discomfort has reached a peak, and it is no longer an option to stay in the same position. However they are frequently on the precipice and no clear direction has been formed. They are instead peering out into the unknown. If you are unhappy in an intimate relationship, particularly one that is long-term, questions may arise such as: Should I leave my relationship or stay? What will happen to the kids? What will happen to me? Will I be able to cope financially? Where will I live? What will my family/friends/workmates/religious networks think of me? Will I get the support I need? You can probably think of a whole lot more. There are many questions and not a whole lot of answers at this point. It can all seem quite overwhelming. The overwhelming nature of it can often make it hard to think clearly, which tends to complicate matters. No wonder it becomes a stuck point. However you do not need to stay stuck. Through our work together, a whole lot of things can happen. Your situation can become more clear Your options can open up You can discover a new way forward You feel supported through it Depending on the complexity of your situation, the length of support will vary. So if you, or someone you care about, feels stuck and would like to find clarity and a way forward, I would like to connect. 1:1 counselling and art therapy sessions are available by messaging through this page, or by calling/texting 0407001670 to make an appointment.

01.01.2022 On a recent trip to the seaside, I found myself peeking through the gnarly, tangled mangroves to a most glorious view. It was a boat sitting serenely on the sparkling blue waters. In a sheltered position, the boat did not seem to have a care in the world. What struck me was the contrast between the mangroves and the boat. One was darkened, dirty, and twisted, and the other so beautiful. An awe-inspiring sight. It reminded me of life. The dark times, the losses and tragedies,... and also the beauty and hope. Hope is often what keeps people going. Hope for a better future. Hope that their situation will change. Hope that their loss will become easier to bear. Hope that they will experience joy again. People come to see me because of hope. Their hope so often increases as a result of our work together. Their lives often change for the better, even if at first there are some hard times to work through. Hope keeps us going. If you, or someone you know, feels hopeless, is losing hope, or is hopeful and wants more hope I'd like to hear from you. I provide private and confidential 1:1 counselling and art therapy sessions. Call/text on 0407001670 or leave a message through this page.