“flourish”

grow, thrive, blossom, bear fruit

Hope, amidst the hardships of life, through biblical counselling

There isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to counselling because everyone’s story is different, and sometimes it can feel that change is impossible and that there is no hope. However, our burdens and suffering can feel lighter when shared and it is never too late to tackle issues that may have been tugging away at your heart - perhaps for weeks, or months, or years. By God’s grace, change is possible. We can work together at your pace to better understand your situation, to move towards restoring hope and peace, and for you to flourish in life.

Areas of interest that I can offer biblical counselling to individuals or couples include:

  • Mental health and wellbeing

  • Relationships and conflict

  • Grief and loss

Counselling sessions

  • During the first few sessions, I will invite you to share as much as you feel comfortable. Sometimes this might feel difficult or overwhelming but I hope that you will find our time together a safe place for you to share your unique story.

    We will also take the time to explore together how knowing God - who is close to us and hears us - helps us in our hardships, and how we can better know ourselves - what's going on in our own hearts - as people created in God’s image.

  • I am generally available to meet during these times (drop me a line and I am happy to discuss options):

    • Mornings: Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays

    • Afternoons: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays

    • Evenings: by request

  • Each session will be for 50 minutes at a rate of $80 per session.

    If financial hardship is a concern, please reach out to me to discuss this further.

    My services are not covered by private health care or Medicare.

  • Tahmoor, or at an agreed location such as a cafe, generally around the following areas: Wollondilly, Cumberland, Penrith, Wollongong, Wingecarribee.

    Online via zoom is also an option.

About

Thanks for stopping by. My name is Melissa and I was drawn towards working as a counsellor having walked alongside people of all ages, and from all walks of life, who experienced seasons of hardship - sometimes unexpectedly out of the blue, sometimes at the hands of others, sometimes over a long period of time.  It is a privilege to be able to offer the time to listen and talk through the complexities of life which sin and suffering disrupts. It is a joy to see how God can bring about hope and change…and to see people flourish in life.

A little bit about me - I was born overseas but grew up in Australia. I am a Christian and actively involved in my local church. Together with my husband, we lived in Europe for 16 years and spent half of that sharing the good news of Jesus amongst university students. For more than 20 years, my main job was dealing with people and numbers in the corporate world.

My biblical counselling studies began with the Christian Counselling Education Foundation (CCEF) in 2015 and I hold a masters degree in Counselling with Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia, US). I am also currently studying at Morling College.

Life’s joys include our poodles, food, music and exploring the wonderful world God has made.

Contact

If you would like to make an appointment, or perhaps have an initial chat to consider whether or not start counselling, please do get in contact. I would be very happy to have a chat with you.