My approach

I am an intuitively compassionate counsellor, with a strength based focus. I come from a place of confidential and respectful curiosity, learning more about you to support you. 

I am Registered Clinical Counsellor and Accredited Supervisor with PACFA (#27920) with over 20 years of experience as a counsellor, clinical supervisor, group facilitator, educator and speaker. I work with individuals, couples, and families. I have done so in a variety of settings such as NGOs, private practice, education, corporate, and with fertility clinics. I have extensive experience in the area of grief, loss and trauma having worked at the Post Adoption Resource Centre (The Benevolent Society), in Palliative Care, as a Fertility Counsellor and as a Bereavement Counsellor at Rednose supporting those grieving sudden unexpected death in babies and children, stillbirth, pregnancy loss, termination and neonatal death. I provide support in the perinatal period, and the adjustment to parenthood.

My clinical practice is very much influenced by my own lived experience of grief and loss.  I have found myself on this professional trajectory, determined to provide services of support to those experiencing grief.  I know first-hand how helpful it is to have someone guide you to support yourself.   

My own lived fertility experience informs my practice, with a knowing and respect that each person’s is uniquely theirs. The fertility road can be so lonely, akin to the grief road.  I am passionate about ensuring there is real conversation, support, and less aloneness.  I liaise closely with fertility clinics and specialists, and I am a Registered ANZICA Counsellor (The Australian & New Zealand Infertility Counsellors Association), a Member of the FSANZ (Fertility Society of Australia & New Zealand) and Aspire (Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction). I am an Associate Member Practitioner of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDRAA) Therapy.

I have a strong academic and clinical background, I am an experienced educator, teaching for many years, at ACAP, JNI, Relationships Australia and currently at the University of Canberra. Teaching is a passion of mine to link practice and theory, to contribute to the learning space.

I normalise difficult conversations and lived experiences and I am an advocate for our communities to talk openly and directly. I welcome you to connect with me and we can work together on what your needs are at this time.

Le grá.

Órlaith (pron. ‘Orla’)