Hi, I’m Vanessa. One of my favourite things about working as a counsellor is watching people’s progress and witnessing their amazing capacity for change. People are mysterious and complex and it’s such a privilege to get to walk alongside someone during some of the most challenging moments of their life. I’m a gentle yet bubbly person, curious and kind with a wicked sense of humour.

My main goal is to provide a space where my clients can discuss their challenges freely without fear of judgement or shame. I feel honored when a client feels safe enough to share their story and allow me to assist them in working through their challenges.

I’ve lived in Ballarat for 7 years and am a proud part of the LGBTQIA+ community. I am non-monogamous and love working to understand the intricacies of relationships and helping folks to find more security, connectedness and joy in their romantic an sexual connections. I’m an avid animal-lover and enjoy yarn crafts, reading and board games in my spare time.

I’ve been fascinated by psychology since I was in high school. I love learning about the mysteries of the mind and finding new techniques that can be used to better understand ourselves and make our lives easier. I studied a Bachelor of Behavioural Science at Latrobe University, and then went on to complete my Diploma of Counselling with the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors. I completed advanced study majors in Grief and Loss Counselling, Relationship Counselling, Mindfulness Based Therapies and Expressive Therapies. I am also a registered member of the Australian Counselling Association.

---

After graduation, I experienced a difficult period of my life that was punctuated by a series of significant losses. One of these losses was the death of my grandmother, Dorothy, whom I was very close to. I had helped to care for my grandmother during the final months of her life, and her illness and death impacted me greatly. It was this event that sparked my interest in grief and loss counselling. My experience gave me an appreciation for the profoundness of grief, and I wanted to develop the skills to support others who found their lives turned inside-out after a loss. My grandmother’s favourite bird was the Fairy Wren, which I adopted as my practice’s mascot to act as a constant reminder of her kindness and empathy.

I’ve worked in a number of different roles, including three years as an administration manager for a paediatric allied health clinic. During my time in this role I worked with a diverse range of families with a variety of specialised needs. When the COVID pandemic hit, I found myself spending hours every day fielding calls from clients who were distressed and needed someone to chat to. I realised that offering support and empathy to others was energizing and fulfilling for me, and I felt motivated to open my own counselling practice.

In addition to running my counselling practice, I regularly appear on ABC radio to discuss topics related to mental health and LGBTQIA+ issues. In November 2023 I made an appearance on Lance TV in Ballarat, talking about my work as a grief and loss counsellor. I have also been a guest on The Movie Health Podcast. In my first guest appearance I talked about Clueless and how teen movies from the 90’s and 2000’s impacted our views of sexuality (and inspired me to write a book: Apple Pies and Other Lies). My second guest appearance focused on my work as a grief and loss counsellor through the lens of the movie Big Hero 6. In my third episode, I delved into the Scream franchise and how horror, grief and resilience often intersect. I also appeared on the Foremind podcast to chat about LGBQTIA+ affirming care.