About REN

I'm a PACFA Registered Certified Practising Counsellor offering warm, practical, and compassionate counselling for adults and young people (15+).

I believe counselling works best when you feel genuinely heard and understood — not judged, labelled, or told what you “should” be doing.

Many people come to counselling feeling overwhelmed, stuck, exhausted, or unsure how to move forward. My role is to sit alongside you, help make sense of what you're experiencing, and work together to find strategies that feel realistic for your life.

My approach is collaborative, down-to-earth, and grounded in evidence-based practice. I bring curiosity, compassion, and humour where appropriate, because therapy is ultimately a conversation between two people. Clients often describe my style as approachable, genuine, and easy to talk to 

Before becoming a counsellor, I spent almost 20 years working as a community pharmacist.

During that time, I supported people through many stages of life and saw how deeply mental health impacts every part of a person's world — relationships, work, confidence, physical health, family, and sense of self.

I often found that the most meaningful moments weren't just about medication or health advice. They were the moments where someone felt comfortable enough to share what was really going on.

Alongside me was Woof, my trained therapy dog, who spent many years supporting people in the pharmacy environment. Watching the comfort and connection she provided reinforced something I strongly believe — feeling safe, accepted, and supported is an important part of healing.

Over time, I realised I wanted to focus more deeply on supporting people's emotional wellbeing. This led me to complete my Master of Counselling and move into the mental health field.

Since completing my counselling training, I have worked extensively in mental health support, including crisis and suicide prevention settings.

This work has allowed me to support people experiencing intense distress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, gambling-related concerns, life transitions, and moments where coping feels incredibly difficult.

Working in crisis support has shaped the counsellor I am today. It has taught me the importance of staying calm, listening deeply, and meeting people exactly where they are.

I was also invited to train as a lead counsellor, supporting other counsellors and assisting clinical managers. This role has strengthened my clinical skills and given me the privilege of helping other professionals provide safe and compassionate care.

My background across both pharmacy and counselling gives me a broad understanding of the connection between mental health, physical wellbeing, medication experiences, and everyday life.

Many people find it helpful to speak with someone who understands the healthcare system and appreciates the complexity of managing mental health.

While I don't provide medical advice or make medication recommendations in counselling, my experience allows me to support thoughtful conversations about your overall wellbeing alongside the care provided by your treating health professionals. 

 I work with people experiencing a wide range of challenges, including:

• Anxiety and emotional overwhelm

• Stress and burnout

• ADHD-related challenges and executive functioning difficulties

• Life transitions and periods of uncertainty

• Low confidence and self-criticism

• Relationship, work, study, or family challenges

• Women's mental health concerns including PMDD, perimenopause, and menopause

You don't need to have everything figured out before coming to counselling. Sometimes the first step is simply having a space where you can say things out loud and begin making sense of them. 

For clients who may benefit from a calming animal presence, sessions with Woof, my trained therapy dog, may be available by request.

Woof has many years of experience supporting people in healthcare settings and brings a gentle, grounding presence to the counselling space.

Therapy dog sessions are completely optional and always discussed beforehand to make sure they feel right for you. 

Reaching out for counselling can feel like a big step, especially if you've spent a long time managing things on your own.

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, navigating something difficult, or simply feel ready for things to change, you're welcome to get in touch.

Together, we can explore what's happening and what support might help.