I am a credentialled mental health nurse therapist. I am passionate about providing clinical supervision and therapeutic support that includes creative methods. My approach is built on strong, collaborative partnerships.

I have nursed for over 38 years in Melbourne and London, initially gaining experience in medical/surgical, palliative care and sexual and reproductive health nursing. My keen interest in emotional and mental health led me to complete qualifications in counselling and mental health nursing. Since 1998, I have been employed in counselling and mental health positions, including primary healthcare settings in Melbourne’s east and south east. From 2008, I have worked as a credentialled mental health nurse, providing specialist mental health nursing care for those living with complex mental illness. This has involved working collaboratively with individuals and members of their care teams. I have experience with a broad range of mental illness presentations and comorbidities, working across the sector in acute, community, primary healthcare, private practice, senior mental health positions and NDIS. My roles have included work in the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program (MHNIP) for 9 years since its inception, after which I was employed in the Mental Health Integrated Complex Care program for 4 years. I have provided mentorship and clinical supervision since 2016.

From October 2021, I left organisational employment to focus on my private practice, especially to provide clinical supervision and personal development opportunities for individuals, and holistic mental health nursing support for participants under NDIS.

Diploma of Applied Science (Nursing) (1987-1989), Palliative care nursing post grad certificate (1992-1993), Adv. Dip. Integrative Counselling in London UK (1997-2001), Psychiatric Nursing Practice Post Grad Cert. (2005) in Melbourne, Clinical Supervision for Role Development training (endorsed program) with Paul Spurr at Clinical Supervision Consultancy (2016), Music & Imagery for Health.

Cert. (1 year in 2013) and the Level 3 Advanced Training in Guided Imagery and Music (2019-2022). I have completed the 3 years of training in guided imagery and music as required to be a registered guided imagery and music therapist.

I am committed to my ongoing learning and development, attending regular training, conferences and personal development sessions. I enjoy staying up to date with latest evidence-based approaches.

Memberships: Australian College of Mental Health Nurses, Australian Clinical Supervision Association, Music and Imagery Association of Australia, Association for Music and Imagery.

I strongly believe that self-care and supported reflection are vital to sustain us, improve practice and assist to prevent burn out. Clinical supervision is an important part of this, and I know its value first-hand, having received a high standard of clinical supervision throughout my career. In providing clinical supervision, I want others to receive the same benefits as I have.

Clinical supervision facilitates us to explore, reflect and gain insights. This enhances our reflective practice and development. Work in healthcare is often challenging, especially when engaged in the intense work of caring for those with significant health issues, and within the limits of organisational systems. As we develop reflective skills after key events, we become better able to reflect and consciously choose our responses in the moment. This decreases our potential for reactivity, fatigue and less effective responses, while increasing awareness and more therapeutic interventions. This leads to improved outcomes and increased confidence and work satisfaction.

My approach is collaborative and underpinned by nursing, mental health nursing and integrative psychotherapy. I draw upon a variety of therapy approaches, including creative methods. I often use the role development model after completing Paul Spurr’s ‘Clinical Supervision for Role Development’ training (endorsed program) in 2016.

I also offer music and imagery for those wanting this, finding these techniques to be very effective, either for personal or professional development, including clinical supervision.