About me - Nicky

I’m not the expert in your life; that’s you

You are the expert in your life and your experiences. I am here to listen to you with compassion, attune to your needs without judgment, and support you with insights and individualised techniques for where you are at just now.

As a fully qualified counsellor and yoga and meditation teacher, I integrate coaching, counselling, psychotherapy, and mindfulness practices, and training, into my work with clients. My purpose and intention is to create a holistic, tailored experience for you, as my client. My professional training, and life experience, allows me to draw from a variety of tools and methodologies, depending on what works best for your unique personality, style and current situation.

How I work

I’m here to support you and be your safe place - to attune to what you need and walk with you through change and toward a more joy filled future.  

My approach is not locked into one method. Whether you're seeking therapeutic counselling, coaching, or mindfulness practices, I tailor our sessions to meet you where you are.

You don’t need to lie on a couch or sit cross-legged and chant—unless that’s your thing! Our work is grounded in scientific, evidence-based approaches, always centered around what’s achievable and sustainable for you. The therapeutic relationship we build is crucial—it’s the foundation for healing, change, and growth. 

I work as your coach, helping you develop a vision for your life, set goals, and create actionable plans to bring them to life. I’m also your counsellor, offering a safe, compassionate space for deeper exploration when life’s challenges require more than just practical strategies. And if mindfulness is part of your journey, I serve as your teacher, helping you embed these practices into your daily life.

A little about me 

I made a big shift in my own life when I left my high-pressure corporate finance role of over two decades, after retraining as a counsellor, to start my own business—helping others live fuller, more meaningful lives. I’ve experienced extreme stress, burnout, and overwhelm. I know what it feels like to juggle work, parenting, grief, loss, and terminal and chronic illnesses. These personal experiences allow me to connect with my clients on a deep and personal level.

Whether we’re working together as coach and client, engaging in therapeutic counselling, or developing a consistent mindfulness practice, I’ll be by your side. My approach is collaborative, focusing on what’s needed for you at this time, in your situation, and with your life experience.

  • "Nicky is always calm, and gently uplifting in our conversations. During sessions, she takes time to pause to recognise my journey so far, while also knowing when to nudge a little deeper. At the end of each session, I leave with tangible actions for my week ahead while tackling the hard stuff, or things to think about to help me progress and grow in the directions I want/need to. Highly recommend!"

    Counselling Client on ‘Talked’

  • “Nicky has a lovely, calming presence and is wonderfully non-judgemental and easy both to talk and to listen to.”

    Counselling Client on ‘Talked'

  • “Nicky is kind, compassionate, and genuine. She helps you figure out what’s important to you, and is incredibly supportive. I highly recommend having a chat to Nicky.”

    Counselling Client on ‘Talked’

  • “Nicky is kind, easy to talk to and able to hold space for lots of feelings.”

    Counselling Client on ‘Talked’

  • "Nicky is an excellent listener and provides unbiased and caring advice. Will continue to work with her to help me through my issues."

    Counselling Client on ‘Talked’

  • “Nicky is easy to talk to and has great ideas for practical tools and next steps. I’m looking forward to my next sessions.”

    Counselling Client on ‘Talked’

  • "I can’t speak highly enough of Nicky. Warm, engaging, caring and solution focused."

    Counselling Client on ‘Talked’

  • ”Nicky is amazing. She is attentive, supportive and offers insight and perspective to your current situation. I feel like I'm talking to someone that I've known for years.”

    Counselling Client on ‘Talked’

  • “Nicky helps me clear my mind and leaves me feeling optimistic, calm and relaxed. Her messages resonate with me in my life and into the future.”

    David

  • “I feel safe with Nicky’s guidance. It’s helping me heal and grow.“

    Counselling Client on 'Talked'

Professional accreditations 

There are many counsellors and coaches online, and finding a highly qualified practitioner can be overwhelming. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). I am also a registered Meditation and Yoga Teacher. I practice yoga daily and teach classes each week. I walk my talk and am committed to lifelong learning, driven by my passion for helping people improve their mental wellbeing. My continually study and growth includes my Masters in Counselling & Psychotherapy and ongoing professional development.

Fun fact: Before retraining as a counsellor, I held a Bachelor of Economics and was a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA). My experience in Corporate Finance has been invaluable in working with high-achieving clients, especially those navigating stress, overwhelm, anxiety, and career transitions. I understand the pressures, the expectations, and the culture you’re working in.

Book an initial call

Please do reach out for a chat if my approach resonates with you. It’s obligation free and you can ask me your questions, get a sense of how it is speaking with me, and how we could work together.

Qualifications, Certifications, Courses & Supports

Qualifications

    • Interpersonal Process in Psychotherapy (2023)

    • Key Competencies in Brief Dynamic Psychotherapy (2023)

    • Child & Family Therapy (2024)

    • Psychotherapeutic Theories & Models (2019)

    • Person-Centred Therapy (2019)

    • Facilitating Therapeutic Change (2019)

    • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (2019)

    • Ethics & Professional Development (2020)

    • Assessment Process (2020)

    • Treatment Planning (2020)

    • Placement - Internship as a Counsellor in a Community Health setting (2020)

Previous career qualifications - Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) Program (1994-1995), Bachelor of Economics - Monash University (1990-1993), Cert IV in Project Management - UXC (2013), The GROW Model or Coaching & Mentoring (2015)

Certifications

    • Meditation Teacher Training - Melbourne Meditation Centre (2017)

    • Integrative Restoration - iRest, Level 1 Yoga Nidra Meditation Training (2019)

    • Integrative Restoration - iRest, Level 2 Yoga Nidra Meditation Training (2019)

    • Yoga Teacher Training (200 hour) - Byron Yoga Centre (2015)

    • Yoga Teacher Training (350 hour) - YIMI (Yoga & Integrative Medicine Institute), with Celia Roberts (2016-2017)

    • Modern Qigong Teacher Training with Nicole Lee (2018)

    • Bayside Tai Chi Centre - Beijing 24 Completion (2009)

    • Level 1 Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT - Tapping) - Embrace Empowerment (2021)

    • Level 2 Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT - Tapping) - Embrace Empowerment (2021)

  • Introduction to Counselling Skills, Cairnmillar Institute (2015)

    Advanced Counselling Skills, Cairnmillar Institute (2018)

    Level 1 Wellness Coaching - Foundations of Wellness Coaching, Wellness Coaching Australia (2015)

    Level 2 Wellness Coaching - Coaching Skills in Practice, Wellness Coaching Australia (2016)

Courses & Conferences

    • Single Session Thinking

    • Single Session Thinking in Practice

    • Frontiers in the Treatment of Trauma (2021-2022)

    • How to Work with the Part of Trauma that your client can't verbalise (2021)

    • Expert Strategies for Integrating Compassion Based Approaches into Trauma Treatment (2021)

    • Working with Core Beliefs of Not Good Enough (2023)

    • Expert Ways to Work with Anxiety (2022)

    • How to Work with a Client's Emotional Triggers (2022)

    • ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) as Brief Intervention, with Russ Harris (2021-2022)

    • ACT for Depression & Anxiety, with Russ Harris (2022)

    • ACT for Grief & Loss, with Russ Harris (2022)

    • Trauma Focused ACT, with Russ Harris (2022)

    • The Happiness Trap Online Program, with Russ Harris (2022)Emotion Focused Therapy - Attachment Science in Practice, with Sue Johnson (2022)

    • Motivational Interviewing - Foundational, with Miller, Rollnick & Moyes (2022)

    • Motivational Interviewing for Addiction, with Miller & Moyes (2022)

    • Australian Meditation Conference, Melbourne, 2 days (2018)

    • Australian Meditation Conference, Zoom, 2 days (2022)

    • Psych-K Basic Workshop, with Rosi Peltzer (2023)

    • Psych-K Advanced Workshop, with Rosi Peltzer (2024)

    • Various PD trainings offered by PACFA, PESI & PDP (ongoing)

    • 3Rs of Change, Anna the Anxiety Coach (2024)

    • Men in Mind, Therapist Training (pilot - 2022)

    • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - ASIST, with Living Works (2021)

    • Chronic Suicidality and Self Harm in BPD: Managing the Risk, with Kelly Watt-McMahon (2021)

    • Effective Working with High Levels of Stress and Overwhelm, with Biliana Dearly (2021)

    • Griefline Volunteer Training Course (2020)

    • Various PD trainings offered by The Mental Health Academy (2021-2022)

    • Mindfulness in Therapy, with Thupten Lekshe (2019)

Personal Practice, Retreats & Supports

    • 8 day personal pilgrimage walking part of The Camino de Santiago (2024)

    • 5 day Silent Retreat with Fuyuko Toyota (2024)

    • 5 day Silent Retreat with Melbourne Meditation Centre (2022)

    • 5 day Silent Retreat with Melbourne Meditation Centre (2021)

    • 4 day Silent Retreat with Fuyuko Toyota (2019)

    • 5 day Silent Retreat with Melbourne Meditation Centre (2018)

    • Weekly Yoga Class attendance with same teacher (2005-2023)

    • Monthly Mindfulness Meditation Sessions (2019-2023)

    • Mindfulness Meditation Series of weekly sessions, with Thupten Lekshe (2020-2022)

    • Mindfulness Meditation Series of weekly sessions on Cultivating Emotional Balance, with Thupten Lekshe (2023)

    • Regular personal therapy & coaching sessions (2016-2024)

    • Fortnightly individual supervision (2021-2022)

    • Weekly individual supervision (2023)

    • Monthly individual supervision (2024)

    • Monthly group supervision (2024)

    • Business coaching (2018-2023)

    • Business mentoring (2021)

    • Weekly co-working with colleagues (2022-2024)

    • Weekly accountability sessions with colleagues (2022-2024)