Inside the Therapy Room

Tanya shares insights into Dramatherapy, debunking myths and highlighting its therapeutic power for all ages. From its somatic approach to trauma to its fun activities in group settings, she explains its effectiveness and who can benefit. Tanya emphasises the distinction between dramatherapy and therapeutic drama, showcasing its adaptability and dispelling misconceptions along the way.

Who Is Tanya?

Tanya is a Master’s degree qualified and registered Dramatherapist. She undertook her training in England in 2010 and then worked for the UK's National Health Service for 10 years primarily in child and adolescent mental health. Upon returning to Australia three years ago, she was the Clinical Lead for Victoria for Canteen- a youth charity organisation supporting adolescents and young adults impacted by cancer. In August this year, she decided to branch out into private practice and founded ShortStories Therapy- offering dramatherapy to people of all ages on the Mornington Peninsula. Tanya strongly believes in the impact that creative arts therapies can have for so many people and is committed to raising the profile of dramatherapy here in Australia.

Links

• Tanya’s Website - http://www.shortstoriestherapy.com.au
• You can find Tanya on Facebook & Instagram.

• Sam’s Website - https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/
• You can find Sam on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
• You can also find Sam’s other podcast Beyond the Surface here.

In this episode, Bronwyn dives into Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM) and Polyamory, clarifying the 'ethical' aspect and debunking myths around these relationships. She shares insights into the stigma against non-traditional relationship structures and how misconceptions arise, including the idea that ENM can't be committed or stable. Highlighting her experience with clients facing negative therapy experiences and the media's role in shaping perceptions, Bronwyn addresses the capacity for loving more than one person, the therapy dynamics for ENM relationships, and challenges the notion that jealousy is inherently negative in these contexts.

Who Is Bronwyn?

In their private practice, Bronwyn specialises in ethical non-monogamy (ENM) and chronic illness. They feel passionately about providing a service that is positively aligned with the neurodivergent, LGBTQI+, kink, and BDSM communities.

In 2022, the release of their first book, "The Beginner's Guide to Ethical Non-monogamy," which marked a significant milestone in their career.

Links

• Bronwyn’s Website - https://www.floraisonmentalhealth.com.au
• You can also find Bronwyn on Facebook & Instagram

•  Sam’s Website - https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/
•  You can find Sam on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
•  You can also find Sam’s other podcast Beyond the Surface here.

In this episode, Sarah delves into her varied experience in community work. She introduces Child-Centred Play Therapy, emphasising the importance of therapeutic relationships. We discuss Filial Therapy's benefits and the universal applicability of Play Therapy, highlighting its advantages for expressive and somatic healing. Sarah explains Play Therapy's significance for neurodivergent individuals and the dynamics of a therapy session, including the contrast between home play and therapeutic play, and the use of individual versus group sessions. Additionally, she touches on the misconceptions surrounding Play Therapy and the therapeutic tools used in her practice.

Who is Sarah?

Sarah is an Accredited Social Worker, currently working in the capacity of a SW with a regional hospital, as well as PT Private Practice. Sarah specialises in Child Centred Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, Circle of Security program facilitation, AutPlay and EMDR. Sarah has worked in Out of Home Care, community youth & family organisations, and managed youth programs focusing on supporting young people, families, and education engagement. Clinical experience includes Specialist Behaviour Support, child and adolescent mental health and developmental trauma. Sarah owns, Connect to Thrive, where therapeutic interventions are grounded in attachment theory, neuroscience, and interpersonal neurobiology.

Links

• Sarah’s Website - https://connect2thrive.com.au
• You can find Sarah on Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn

• Sam’s Website - https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/
• You can find Sam on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
• You can also find Sam’s other podcast Beyond the Surface here.

In this episode, Khadine introduces Emotion Freedom Techniques (EFT) or EFT Tapping, a powerful mind-body therapy. We discuss its effectiveness in addressing diverse mental and physical concerns, including a notable case with a client experiencing Parkinson's disease. Khadine shares insights into trauma's somatic impact and her personal journey into EFT. She highlights its broad applicability, especially for non-verbal individuals, and dispels myths around its evidence-based nature.

Bio

Khadine has a combined experience of 33 years in the healing and community services professions. With her knowledge of natural therapies and social work she brings a holistic, strengths-based approach to her work with clients and providing EFT Tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques) training.

In her client work Khadine specialises in supporting people living with the impacts of trauma, phobias, and other life challenges. She has been providing EFT Tapping Practitioner Training for 5 years around Australia. Khadine is dedicated to giving back and last year provided 14 full scholarship places for her EFT Certification training.

She also fosters traumatised cats and helps them to trust and heal so that they can having loving forever homes.

Links

• Khadine’s Website - https://embraceempowerment.com/
• You can find Khadine over on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

• Sam’s Website - https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/
• You can find Sam on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
• You can also find Sam’s other podcast Beyond The Surface here.

Emma Nelson is Mum, wife and friend first. Therapist and helper second. She runs an Art Therapy practice called Zen Zebra Art Therapy and is a lover of all things cake and cheese however not cheesecake.

In this episode, Emma provides an insightful glimpse into the world of art therapy. She discusses her journey into art therapy, the diverse beneficiaries, and how creativity provides unique avenues for expression. Emma explores the intuitive nature of her approach, distinguishes between art therapy and art as therapy, and highlights the power of creativity in articulating experiences beyond words

Links

• Emma’s Website - https://www.zenzebra.com.au
• You can find Emma on. Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

• Sam’s Website - https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/
• You can find Sam on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
• You can also find Sam’s other podcast Beyond the Surface here.

Have you been hurt by the church? Maybe you have experienced abuse at the hands of clergy or a minister? Or maybe you are part of a marginalised group often discriminated against by the church. This episode with Sam and Jane, Religious Trauma therapists is for you.

Today’s episode is a double whammy, because Religious Trauma is the speciality of both host Sam and guest Jane.

In today’s episode we explain what religious trauma is, how it presents and what some of the causes are including spiritual bypassing. We discuss why lived experience is so important in the religious trauma space. We both share parts of our own stories and talk about the impact on the queer community.

Sam is a Queer Therapist specialising in Religious Trauma - currently offering therapy locally to Goulburn, NSW and online worldwide (except US & Canada)

Working from a trauma informed and lived experience stance, and understanding the profound impact that religious experiences can have on individuals, Sam is here to provide an accepting and non-judgmental space to explore your inner world.

Sam will be releasing her new workbook “Embracing Queerness and Faith” early 2024 which she is hopeful will bring an internal sense of authenticity and freedom to many.

You can connect with Sam on website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au

 Or via social media – www.instagram.com/anchoredcounsellingservices

Jane Kennedy is a Sydney-based Counsellor. She has lived experience of religious trauma and is committed to supporting people as they leave church and/or faith.

She brings language and framing for the complexities of religious trauma to the counselling space and together we have begun to create a network of other Australian and New Zealand therapists to broaden knowledge among those working with affected clients.

 Jane has written her story, an e-book, The Sentimental Non-Believer, on Loving & Leaving God. Her course, Freedom from Religious Trauma will be available in 2024.

 To learn more about Jane and her practice via her website - https://janekennedycounselling.com.au/

 Or connect with on social media – www.instagram.com/janekennedycounselling

Are you a part of the Trans or Gender Diverse Community? Maybe you support members of the Trans community? Perhaps you have family members who are Trans, Gender Diverse or Non-Binary. This episode with Tasha, a LGBTQIA+ Counsellor is for you!

In today’s episode Tasha explains who falls into the Trans and Gender Diverse community. We discuss why it is so important for Trans people to know that coming to therapy for mental health support is vital alongside of any medical interventions. We also talk about some of the misconceptions people have about the Trans community and how we as cisgender folk can show support.

Tasha Turner is a Queer Neurodivergent Counsellor, Advocate, wife, and chronic pain battler.

Many of her clients are neurodivergent, mainly autism and/or ADHD and are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Tasha uses her lived experience to work with these individuals to connect on a deeper level as someone who understands many of the struggles and triumphs faced.

More details about Tasha and her practice can be found at https://www.facebook.com/TashasTherapeuticCounselling

Have you ever lost a faithful animal companion? Maybe they were a beloved family pet? Perhaps you work with animals, you might be a vet or a pet groomer and feel impacted when those animals pass away. This episode with Renee, a Pet Loss Counsellor is for you!

In today’s episode Renee shares her own story of losing her dog Buckley. We discuss why it is so important for people to know that coming to therapy for pet loss is valid and needed. We also talk about some of the misconceptions people have about grief and in particular pet grief.

Renee Magri is a Grief Counsellor that specialises in Pet Loss Support for before and after the loss of our Animal Friends.

Her passion for this much needed support grew immensely after losing her beloved Boxer Buckley to a terminal illness at the young age of 5 and a half. Having always had a keen interest in grief and loss, it was a natural progression for her to take her qualification and direct it to helping the wider community with what can be one of the most difficult losses you will ever go through in your lifetime.

More details about Renee and her practice can be found at https://www.foreverinmyheartpetlosscounselling.com.au/

You can find Renee over on Instagram – www.instagram.com/petlosssupportishere

You can also find her on Facebook where she has a support group available - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2746558408688889

Ever had someone, maybe even a therapist, judge you for your interests in gaming? Maybe you have never had a therapist really understand you? Perhaps you just love the idea of your therapist being just a much of a nerd as you. This episode with Mike, the nerd therapist is for you!

In today’s episode Mike chats about how he uses things like video games, role playing and other nerdy interests to connect with his clients. We discuss why using pop culture, gaming and play based therapy can be helpful for not just children but people of any age. We also talk about some of the misconceptions people have about video games and the balance that is needed.

Mike Keady is a Counsellor in Perth, Australia.

 Mike uses video games and tabletop roleplaying games in individual and group therapy and provides education to clinicians on the use of pop culture to understand clients' own personal journeys. Mike is an AusPATH member and LGBTQIA+ supportive counsellor.

Mike proudly calls himself ‘The Nerd Therapist’.

More details about Mike and his practice can be found at https://counsellingwithmike.com.au/

You can find Mike over on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/counsellingwithmike/

Ever had someone just want to slap a label on you? Maybe your experiences of therapy in the past haven’t been beneficial? Perhaps you just love the movie Inside Out movie. This episode with Stef, an IFS Therapist is for you!

In today’s episode Stef lets you in on what Internal Family Systems is all about. Where we discuss how IFS was so powerful for Stef personally and how it values human uniqueness. We also talk about some of the misconceptions people have about IFS.

Stef Marris who is a trauma informed counsellor from Arena Counselling in Canberra, Australia.

Stef encourages her clients to be curious about their internal world and to heal the parts of themselves that hold their emotional wounds. She has a wealth of study behind her and both personal and professional experience that informs her practice greatly.

Stef has a special interest in working with complex trauma as well as teens and young adults.

More details about Stef and her practice can be found at https://www.arenacounselling.com.au

You can find Stef on Instagram – www.instagram.com/arena_counselling