Melbourne Integrative Psychotherapy & Counselling

Philosophy

It is human nature to seek meaning in one's life, and to live fully to one's potential, yet for some it may seem elusive or difficult to sustain. Adverse early life childhood experiences, living with complex mental health conditions, co-morbidity issues; chronic ill-health or psycho-social disabilities presents many challenges for individuals and their families.

Research studies have shown that traumatic experiences impacts on the individual's psyche and body over their lifespan. An assault or wound to the body also leaves its imprint on the psyche. Often, what lies in its wake, is that the individual experiences a sense of disconnect from their whole sense of being which then impacts on interpersonal and family relations. It is on this premise that an integrative psychotherapeutic model is central to working with the whole person. An embodied philosophical approach underpins the therapeutic work, it encompasses working with all the dimensions of the human experience and existence across the lifespan. The therapeutic approaches considers the brain body-based relational therapy, biopsychosocial and developmental frameworks, gestalt therapy, somatic experiencing and trauma therapy models, psychological strategies as well as psychotherapy to promote integration towards more of an embodied self.

Philosophy

Embodied Somatic Practices

Trauma Therapies

Melbourne Integrative Psychotherapy & Counselling acknowledges and celebrates the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders, past, present and future, and celebrate the rich living culture of our First Peoples.

Melbourne Integrative Psychotherapy & Counselling

Bio

Sharon has substantial clinical experience in child, adolescent & family psychiatry, primary health care, child and family services, family violence and sexual assault services, as well as tertiary education and training sectors for over 25 years. Sharon has a background in clinical social work, gestalt therapy, body movement therapy, training and supervision. Initially, she trained in psychiatric social work (child, adolescent & family therapies), working from a psychodynamic perspective and undertook an 12 month infant-parent observation and seminars with psychoanalytic psychotherapists. Whilst living in Europe, she studied Integrative Dance Therapy in association with the European Academy Psychosocial Health and Fritz Perls Institute. She then complemented her dance therapy practice by undertaking further studies in relational gestalt therapy with Gestalt Therapy Australia. She continues to extend her practice with training in existential supervision, somatic experiencing and trauma therapy models.

She has a special interest in attachment & early developmental trauma, bereavement & loss, eating disorders & body dysmorphic, family & interpersonal relationships, perinatal mental health, posttraumatic stress disorder, psychosocial disabilities that is informed by somatic experiencing, trauma therapy models, psychological strategies, psychodynamic psychotherapy, sensorimotor & relational gestalt therapy, which are integrated into her therapeutic practice with individuals, families and groups.

Sharon works as a clinical supervisor with Monash University,Faculty of Education, Masters of Counselling. Sharon also works at The Royal Women’s Hospital, Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL) as a trauma counsellor and maintains a private practice.

Qualifications

BSW(Hons), GradDipMntHlth (Child, Adolescent & Family Therapies), DipGestalt Th. Integrative Tanztherapie (DGT, Germany), Cert IV Assessment & Workplace Training Clinical Supervisor (CEP), Somatic Experiencing (Level 1,11).

Professional Memberships & Registrations

ANZMHA, ACSW(Clinical), MHSW(Acc), DTAA(Prof), NDIS,

ACA College of Clinical Counsellors, ACA College of Supervisors

Medicare Registered