About Joanne:

I believe that people are inherently oriented towards healing and growth, and that many of our struggles occur when aspects of our lives, or parts of ourselves, are impacted though trauma and difficult life experiences. In my own journey, I have traversed and spun through painful places just like many of my clients.  Our shared humanity allows me to meet you with the deep presence, respect and care required for powerful change to take place.

As a Gestalt psychotherapist I have spent many years working with people effected by complex, relational and intergenerational trauma including children, adolescents, parents, families, schools and other professionals. I have provided individual therapy, family work, group work and training.

I welcome any enquiries to support intergenerational healing, for example working with adults and their mothers, as I believe that impacting trauma across generations creates small steps towards healing our world and our society.

I am also experienced working with war trauma having worked with veterans. I have lived and worked in remote aboriginal communities, and have experience working with other minority groups including the GLBTIQ community.

From my experiences I have crafted a therapeutic approach orientated around meeting you where you are, not needing to discover what’s ‘wrong’ with you – nor to ‘fix’ you – but to skilfully traverse levels of self and disowned parts, supporting you to regain your inherent wisdom of growth; to be re-known and re-owned. Working therapeutically through contemporary psychotherapeutic processes, I support you to understand trauma and healing through mind, body and relationship, helping to re-connect to self, to other, and to community.

Children & Adolescence:

A passion of my work is supporting children and adolescents.  My practice in this area has included specialised training and several years of working within out-of-home care services supporting parents, children and service providers through complex family issues.

At Thrive, I work with children and young people in connection with parents, seeing the most benefit when issues facing our children are looked at through the whole family system.  

I offer play therapy for younger children, which is a gentle yet powerful way of allowing children to share, process and heal their inner world and their difficulties in a way that makes sense to them. I introduce more talk therapy with older children whilst still incorporating creative and playful elements as needed, and provide parenting support to integrate a young person’s growth back into the family environment.

I completed Gestalt Psychotherapy training at Gestalt Therapy Australia in Melbourne, followed by a Masters of Gestalt at Gestalt Therapy Brisbane. I am a clinical member of PACFA, have a current working with children’s check and police check.  My work has included providing professional, respected and sought-after therapy and training to clients suffering from PTSD, addictions, anxiety, depression and other mental health difficulties.

Private Health rebates are available through me with Medibank, ARHG, Ahm and Bupa health funds.  In addition, I am  an approved Victim Services Counsellor.

In am currently at Thrive on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  I’d be delighted to hear from you…