Colibri Counselling and Psychotherapy welcomes people from all walks of life.
My practice is a safe, respectful, non-judgmental,
and affirming space.
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I honour the richness of diversity
and approach each person’s unique story with empathy, grace, and humility, while recognising the values and experiences that shape who they are.
Who I help
I work with teenagers (12+), adults, and older adults experiencing grief, loss, trauma, emotional overwhelm, existential concerns, and major life transitions
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Many people I see come to grief counselling after the death of a loved one — a partner, parent, friend, pet, or even a version of themselves that feels lost. Some are facing prolonged or complicated grief, or the unspoken kind of grief that others, or society, may not fully recognise.
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Others come to therapy during major life transitions — separation or divorce, relocation, displacement, illness, caregiving, or shifts in identity and purpose. These experiences can leave people feeling unanchored, anxious, or unsure of who they are becoming.
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I also support people experiencing ongoing stress, anxiety, depression, exhaustion, or feeling emotionally reactive and overwhelmed. This may include trauma-related difficulties such as complex trauma (CPTSD), attachment wounds, or long-standing patterns shaped by early experiences.
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My practice includes people preparing for end-of-life, supporting a loved one through illness, processing trauma, or seeking deeper self-understanding and growth.
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I work in a neurodiversity-affirming way with autistic and ADHD individuals. I also support partners and family members seeking to understand and navigate neurodiversity within their relationships.
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Together, we work toward clarity, balance, and a stronger sense of self.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The stories below reflect composite experiences drawn from my clinical work. They illustrate some of the ways people arrive in therapy and how change can unfold over time. You may recognise parts of your own story or similar feelings in some of these reflections.
​​Grief & Loss
​​​Loss of a Parent — Several months after her mother’s death, Sarah felt emotionally numb and increasingly overwhelmed. Although she continued working and caring for her family, everyday life felt strangely empty and tears appeared without warning.
Sarah gradually understood that her exhaustion and emotional swings were natural expressions of love and loss. As she allowed herself to grieve more openly, the intensity softened. She still missed her mother deeply, but grief no longer consumed her life.
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Sudden Loss — When her brother died unexpectedly, Emma felt strangely numb and detached. She began to worry that something was wrong with her because she could not even cry.
Emma came to realise that numbness had protected her from unbearable shock. As the loss was explored safely in therapy, her emotional world began to reopen. She could remember her brother with sorrow and warmth, without being dominated by disbelief.
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Loss of a Partner — After losing his wife of 45 years, Peter, 74, began counselling for the first time with encouragement from his son. Living in rural Australia with limited social contact, Peter had become increasingly withdrawn and irritable, describing his days as something he had to endure.
Over time, he recognised that beneath his anger lived profound loneliness and shame. As he re-engaged with familiar routines and relationships, he began to feel more like himself, not unchanged, but present again. His grief remained, yet he was no longer retired from his own life.​​
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Loss of a Child — Following the death of her son, Margaret felt as though the world was still moving while her own life had stopped. Unbearable waves of grief came without warning. Alongside the sorrow lived relentless questions: what she might have missed, what she could have done differently? At times, the weight of guilt felt almost as heavy as the loss itself.
Margaret was not asked to move on, but to sit with what was. Her pain was met with presence, sometimes in silence. Space slowly opened for compassion. She found ways to remain connected to her son while slowly re-engaging with life.
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Unresolved Childhood Grief — Years of alcohol dependence and emotional numbness eventually led Kate to enter psychotherapy. She described moving through much of her adult life on autopilot, feeling little joy or connection in her relationships. Her father had died suddenly when she was a child, a loss she believed she had resolved.
As Kate revisited that early grief with compassion rather than judgment, she began to feel more alive. Over time, she developed healthier ways to regulate her emotions and gradually stopped relying on alcohol. What had once felt like emptiness began to give way to a deeper sense of connection with herself and others.​
Life Transitions, Ruptures & Changes
Migration — Relocating internationally to support her husband’s career left Claire feeling isolated and unsure of her place in her new life. Without familiar work, friendships, or routines, her confidence slowly began to erode. She withdrew from social opportunities as self-doubt grew.
In therapy, Claire began to recognise how the move had stirred deeper patterns of insecurity about her own needs and identity. As these experiences were explored with curiosity rather than criticism, she learned to separate uncertainty from inadequacy. She reconnected with her values and capacities. Her confidence returned, not because the challenges disappeared, but because she felt more aligned within herself.
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Divorce — After his 25-year marriage ended, Jack found himself unsure who he was outside the relationship. Much of his adult life had been shaped around the partnership, and its absence left him feeling disoriented. Alongside the changes of separation lived heartbreak and the loss of the shared future he had once imagined.
Jack began to reflect on his approach to intimacy, conflict, and emotional needs in relationships. He rediscovered parts of himself, interests, friendships, and values that had once mattered deeply to him. As he clarified what was important moving forward, a new sense of direction began to emerge. The separation remained painful, but it no longer defined his future.
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Family Violence — When her father left the family home following a period of violence, Lily was referred for counselling. Although the home was now safer, Lily continued to feel anxious and overwhelmed by what she had experienced, sometimes finding it difficult to concentrate at school or feel settled in her daily routines.
Lily was given a space to understand what had happened and to express feelings she had struggled to name. As her body gradually learned that it was no longer in danger, her sense of safety returned. Over time, the changes at home began to feel less frightening and more manageable.
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Existential Crisis — Despite being successful and established, Elena began to feel increasingly unsettled within herself. The life she had built, her work, routines, and relationships, no longer felt as meaningful as they once had. She questioned how she had arrived where she was and whether the direction of her life still reflected who she truly was.
Elena was able to explore these questions without rushing to resolve them. Rather than seeing the crisis as a failure, she began to understand it as a moment of transition. As she reflected on her values, choices, and hopes for the future, the uncertainty became less frightening. She began to reconnect with a deeper sense of authenticity and direction.
Displacement & Collective Trauma
​Having left her country of origin as a child under violent circumstances, Maya later found herself unsettled as global conflicts resurfaced in the media. Memories she had left behind began to re-emerge, bringing back feelings of fear and helplessness. Maya functioned well in her daily life. Internally, however, she felt fragmented, caught between cultures, and carried a silent grief for a homeland and childhood others could not fully understand.
Maya came to recognise how early displacement and repeated exposure to collective trauma had shaped her sense of identity. As she began to integrate these experiences rather than push them away, she felt more grounded and whole. She realised that complete peace might never be possible in the way she once imagined, but acceptance and meaning were. She became better able to live with her own complexity and without feeling so overwhelmed.
Illness, Mortality & Existential Concerns
​Fear of Mortality — In her early twenties, Sophie became increasingly preoccupied with thoughts about death and uncertainty. What began as occasional reflections grew into persistent and intrusive fears. Though physically healthy, she found herself caught in deep cycles of questioning and worry, feeling overwhelmed by life's fragility.
Sophie explored her fear of mortality as something to understand rather than eliminate. As she clarified what gave her meaning and developed a greater tolerance for uncertainty, her anxiety softened. She began to feel more present and engaged in her life.​
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Facing End of Life — When David was diagnosed with a life-limiting illness in his early fifties, much of his fear was not about death itself, but about what would happen to his children after he was gone. Thoughts about the future he might not witness left him feeling anxious and deeply sad.
David spoke openly about these fears without overwhelming his family. As he reflected on what remained meaningful, his focus shifted toward connection, love, and the moments that were still possible.
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Anticipatory Grief & Caregiving — While caring for his partner living with a degenerative illness, Daniel became emotionally and physically depleted. Alongside the demands of caregiving, he carried the strain of facing the illness on his own.
Daniel explored the complex mix of anticipatory grief, love, fatigue, and fear he had been carrying. As he strengthened boundaries and self-care, he felt less alone and more confident in supporting his partner while also attending to his own needs.
Trauma & Nervous System Distress
Complex Trauma & Emotional Dysregulation — Nicole entered therapy with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). She described intense emotional swings, unstable relationships, a deep fear of abandonment, and a persistent sense that something was fundamentally wrong with her. She also carried the weight of feeling misunderstood and stigmatised.
As her story unfolded, it became clear that many of her patterns had developed in the context of repeated stigmatisation and relational trauma. Through a trauma-informed lens, including the impact of complex trauma (CPTSD), Nicole began to understand her emotional intensity as an adaptation rather than a defect. Over time, her nervous system became more regulated.
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Traumatic Experience — Laura began counselling after witnessing a fatal accident. She experienced intrusive memories and reactivity. She avoided driving, felt anxious crossing busy streets, and was startled by sudden sounds or movement around traffic.
With regular support, Laura understood how her nervous system had remained on high alert after the event. Over time, her body settled. She regained a sense of safety and was no longer overwhelmed by reminders of the accident.
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Stress, Anxiety & Fear of Judgement — Persistent burnout and emotional reactivity led Julian to seek therapy. He described feeling constantly on edge, as though his mind and nervous system could never fully calm down. The stress showed up in his body as well. Tension, recurring back pain, and occasional panic attacks left him feeling exhausted. He avoided meetings and social situations, worrying about being judged or saying the wrong thing.
As he learned to understand his emotional patterns and regulate his stress responses, the intensity of his reactions decreased. He experienced greater clarity in his relationships and felt more grounded and intentional in his daily life.​​
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Everyone's story is unique. If you are unsure whether I am the right fit for you, feel free to contact me. I am always happy to answer your questions or provide referrals.​​
Names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy.
How I help
Colibri Counselling and Psychotherapy is an online practice offering individual therapy to clients across all Australian states and territories.
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Sessions take place in a confidential and protected space using a secure Australian-owned telehealth platform (Zanda). Therapy is accessible wherever you are located, provided you have a stable internet connection, allowing you to attend from your home or any other place where you feel comfortable.
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Appointments are available at flexible times to accommodate work, caregiving, or study commitments.
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Resources, reflections and optional exercises are shared through emails.
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Sessions are offered in English or French.
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If you would like to explore whether this approach feels right for you, you are welcome to book a complimentary 25-minute consultation or to reach out with any questions.
