Introducing our visiting therapists:
Visting therapist is a therapist who uses the counselling rooms at the Macquarie cottage counselling service but is also working elsewhere. Appointments for visiting therapist can be done the same way as booking for Macquarie cottage team therapists via the contact page and sending an inquiry.
Vanessa Taylor
BEd.MCouns/member ACA.
Vanessa is an accredited practising counsellor and holds a Masters of Counselling from the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC). She is experienced in trauma-informed client work, supporting people affected by complex childhood trauma, domestic and family abuse, chronic illness and disability. She has worked more broadly with people experiencing relationship and family problems, grief, self-esteem issues and social isolation.
Through compassion, empathy and trust Vanessa works collaboratively with you, drawing on your own skills, competencies, beliefs, values, commitments and abilities to reduce the influence of problems in your life. She draws on a style that integrates narrative therapy, mindfulness-based therapies, solution-focused therapy and art therapies.
Vanessa was born in Sydney and has worked in education, business and fashion. She spent time working in the UK, travelled extensively in Europe and has lived both in Sydney and rural NSW before settling in the Blue mountains in 2010. As a woman living with Multiple Sclerosis she has lived experience of chronic illness and disability. She is a ‘sometime’ creative and maker who also draws strength from swimming and meditation and mindfulness practices.
Vanessa currently provides ongoing counselling services at Penrith Women’s Health Centre two days a week and manages her own private therapeutic practice Insitu-counselling.
She is a member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), a registered NDIS provider and registered Health Fund Provider for BUPA, Police Health Fund, Medibank/AHM and Doctors Health Funds.
Martin Roberts
Dip FA, BA (Hon), MA Ath, AThR
Martin is a fully trained arts therapist and counselor holding a Master of Art Therapy, and is a professionally registered member of ANZACATA (Australia New Zealand Creative Arts Therapy Association). He has over 20 years experience of working in the arts and using creative therapies with individual clients, groups and in the community sector.
Martin uses an integrative and creative arts therapy approach in his therapeutic work with clients, focusing on getting to know each person as a whole. Through developing an understanding of where each person needs support, he draws on different theoretical and therapeutic approaches to tailor the sessions to best suit their individual needs and personal circumstances.
His work is trauma informed, always mindful of the effects of trauma on the mind and body and the impact it has on people’s lives. And he draws on his experience with a wide range of art forms including fashion, costume, textiles, painting, sculpture and story telling, to encourage people to explore their unique inner creativity to develop insight, achieve personal growth and make improvements in their lives.
Martin’s areas of expertise include working with children and young people, mental health, and diverse and minority groups including the LGBTQIA+ community. He has worked at headspace on a program for children and young people with acute mental health and behavioural difficulties, and has first-hand experience of working with emotional trauma. He has worked individually with adults with different mental health issues, including PTSD and complex trauma, DID, depression and anxiety. He has also facilitated numerous group therapeutic creative workshops, supporting people to creatively process their lives and develop new ways of expressing themselves.
Martin is available for individual arts therapy and counseling sessions, as well as for group workshops. For more information visit his website, www.martinroberts.com.au.
Florence Thum
Florence Thum
MCAP, LLM, Grad.Cert. in Ed. (Learning and Leadership), BCom
Website: Transfigure Therapy
I am a psychotherapist and coach, and a member of PACFA and ANZMH. I hold postgraduate degrees in psychotherapy, education and law, and have worked in different professional industries.
I work with people between 14 and 60 years of age from diverse gender, ethnicity, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. I practice predominantly in areas of
· stress and anxiety
· interpersonal relationships
· education and schooling
· mid-life questioning
· existential or spiritual issues
· grief and loss
· personal growth and development
· communication and conflict
Are you ready to attend to the vital things in your life which bring you aliveness?
My integrative practice is client-centred, drawing on value- and strength-based approaches. Being solution-focused, I will work with you towards awareness and change.
Our session together is a safe space empowering you to shift from “what is going wrong” to “what can be”.