About Heather
Hello, I’m a registered counsellor (Level 1) with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and an experienced psychosocial key support worker in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire.
I support people who are navigating grief, various forms of loss, trauma and major life transitions, including the quieter, more complicated losses that can be difficult to name.
I offer a safe, calm, compassionate and respectful space to talk, express, reflect, or be, and begin to find steadier ground at a pace that honours your experience.
My own journey with grief has shaped this work deeply. After losing my mother unexpectedly to cancer, I came to understand how profoundly loss can change our way of being and how we navigate through life, leaving us feeling confused as to how to move forward without that very special person in our lives (in the physical form).
Over time, I have also experienced other forms of grief—the loss of my sister-in-law, our beloved pets and even parts of my own identity following a chronic physical injury. These experiences continue to inform me that grief is not limited to one kind of loss; it is deeply personal, and every story deserves individualised care, patience, listening and understanding.
Experience and Training
I have over six years of experience supporting individuals with complex mental health and psychosocial needs, alongside more than 20 years working across health, government and community service environments.
A Diploma of Counselling, along with ongoing advanced study focused on grief and loss, continues to broaden my knowledge and inform a thoughtful and responsive approach to care.
Areas of professional interest include:
Trauma-informed practice
Psychosocial well-being and recovery
Crisis management
Strengths-based counselling and goal-focused change
Professional experience includes work with Victim Support in the UK, providing sensitive assistance to individuals impacted by violence, trauma and bereavement, including sexual violence and homicide loss.
Ongoing professional development includes training in motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), trauma-informed practices, complicated grief and mourning, psychosis and substance use, suicide prevention and effective communication.
Moving Forward
The aim is to provide steady, grounded support, creating a sense of even flow during times that might otherwise feel uncertain, chaotic, painful or difficult to navigate.
If you are feeling grief-stricken—confused, overwhelmed, lost and/or simply needing a safe space to tell your story, reflect and process what you are carrying, you do not have to face it alone.
Over time, many people begin to notice subtle shifts—the heaviness feels a little lighter, emotions become less overwhelming and consuming, there is more space to breathe and reflect, daily life starts to feel more manageable again, and a clearer sense of steadiness and direction can slowly emerge. Grief reactions might not completely disappear, but you can learn to hold them with greater support and meaning.
I would welcome the opportunity and be privileged to support you through your unique grief journey with warmth, respect and gentle guidance.
I offer sessions in person, online and in home. You are welcome to get in touch with me to arrange a free 15-minute appointment or ask any questions.