Therapy
A supportive space to slow down, reflect, and be understood
Therapy can be a place where you do not have to carry everything on your own. It is a space where your experience is met with care, curiosity, and steadiness, rather than pressure or judgement.
People often arrive here when something about the way they are living or working no longer feels sustainable, even if they are still functioning and managing.
You might be coming here because:
- you find yourself awake in the early hours, worrying about how long you can keep doing this work
- you can’t remember what it feels like not to be tired, overwhelmed, or under constant demand
- it feels harder to rest, switch off, or feel fully present
- everyday decisions seem heavier or more loaded than they used to be
- you are carrying responsibility for others while your own needs are often pushed aside
These experiences are common, particularly for people who are capable and care deeply about supporting others, including therapists and clinicians.
- Nipaluna / Hobart-based
- Working across Lutruwita / Tasmania and nationally
- In-person and online
Sometimes as helping professionals we can think that we need to soldier on. We tell ourselves:
“I’m tough”
“I can handle it”
“It’s part of the job”
“They need me”
“I shouldn’t complain because this is nothing compared to the daily reality of my client / patient / student”
“It’s great that *name of colleague* is getting help, but I don’t need that”
But we can’t help others and continue to do good work if we don’t look after ourselves.
Symptoms of workplace related stress may include:
- Feeling tired, hopeless, numb or empty
- Dreading going to work
- Difficulty completing tasks or staying focused
- Working harder than ever but struggling to meet goals
- Difficulties with sleep and struggling to slow down
- Feeling isolated
- Taking extended sick leave
Symptoms specific to PTSD can include:
- Intrusive thoughts / memories of an event, person or community
- Flashbacks and / or nightmares
- Avoiding places associated with the event, person or community
- Difficulties with sleep
- Feeling numb, empty or cut off from yourself
- A state of hypervigilance or feeling revved up, angry or irritable
We know that prolonged stress can habituate us into patterns of:
- hypervigilance (feeling revved up and on-the-go)
- shut down, or
- a combination of both.
And, that we typically manage this pain by disconnecting from our experience, both physically and emotionally. Over time this can result in the symptoms described above.
Tempo encourages you to support yourself by moving from the intellectual to the physical through music listening, creative arts and embodied processes.
Individual therapy will support you to:
- Develop a restorative practice of rest and relaxation
- Reconnect with your body and feelings
- Process intrusive thoughts, memories and / or somatic responses
- Work through grief and loss
- Build your capacity for self compassion
- Ground yourself and develop tools to support you in stressful situations
- Find clarity and focus
Book your initial conversation here
Get started with therapy today
Book your appointment in New Town here
Get started with online therapy today
What’s involved?
Individual therapy will respond to your needs as they arise.
Our areas of focus will include:
- A stepped approach to creating safety and trust
- Using the breath and music listening to support rest and relaxation
- Developing imagery and music listening as inner resources (that you can use anywhere)
- Developing greater awareness of your feelings and body responses
- Connecting with hope and positive experiences
And plenty of opportunities to practice and explore:
- focused music listening
- breathing exercises
- approaches to relaxation
- guided imagery
- drawing
I'm not an artist or musician, does that matter?
Absolutely not!
Using creative arts in these sessions is part of a process of getting to know yourself. You don’t have to be an artist or a musician to benefit. In fact, I often encourage people to imagine they are 3 years old when drawing to remove the pressure to ‘perform’.
Is individual therapy right for me?
If you:
- Prefer or need to have individual support at this point in time
- Are experiencing PTSD symptoms
- Have a proactive approach to finding ways to look after yourself
- Need skills to support yourself that are not only talk-focused
- Are having difficulty practicing self care
- Need a confidential space to share your worries
Then individual therapy is right for you.
Liaison with other health professionals
In our first session we will discuss the importance of having a supportive team around you as you move towards improved health and wellbeing. Depending on your needs and what you are comfortable with, I can liaise with your GP, psychiatrist or any other health professionals in your team, to ensure clear communication and a cohesive approach in supporting your needs.
What will I need?
- A private and comfortable space.
- Somewhere that you can lie down or lounge during music listening, relaxation inductions and guided imagery (think warmth, comfort, cushions).
- Art materials as required.
Fees
Fees for individual sessions are
- $185 (+ GST) for 50 minute appointments - both face to face and Telehealth appointments.
Please note: Fees are payable the day before your appointment.
If you have the relevant cover, you can claim private health insurance rebates with:
- Police Health
- Emergency Services Health
- Bupa
- St Lukes Health
- Medibank Private
- GMHBA
- Westfund
- Phoenix Health
- CUA Health
- AHM
Please contact your provider to see if you are eligible.
Depending on your workplace, you may be able to access support through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) - contact me to find out more.
Header image: Hans