Hi, I am Renée. I am a qualified and experienced mental health practitioner. (Full list of qualifications at bottom of the page.) I have experience working with individuals and groups who struggle with an array of mental health conditions that includes situational stress, loss, grief, anxiety, depression, trauma (PTSD), and eating disorders. Additionally, I’ve worked with people who identify as having schizophrenia, bi-polar, and autism.
Mental health and psychology are life long interests. I am continually updating my qualifications so as I am informed with the most up-to-date and accurate insights. I’m also a big believer in empowering individuals with knowledge that can support their own wellbeing.
Striving to better understanding art, symbolism, and meaning is also one of my passions. Dr Terrence Deacon, author of The Symbolic Species: The Co-evolution of Language and the Brain, emphasises the complexity of symbolism in language and visuals cues. Human communication is based upon a combination of shared and individual understandings. Essentially, the creative nature of people means words and images can mean whatever we want them to.
I find acknowledging and working with creativity in a therapeutic space very rewarding. One of my favourite symbols is trees because they are as diverse as people. Moreover, just as trees can be resilient, so too are people.
Trees as metaphor for growth and resilience
Trauma
It is often the darkest before the dawn
Stress
Humans resilience to stress is remarkable
Growth
New growth is always possible
Rejuvenation
Counselling can help rejuvenate
Renee’s qualifications:
- 2018 MMH – Masters of Mental Health (Art Therapy), University of Queensland
- 2016 CCS – Certificate of Counselling Skills, Health Academy Australia
- 1998 BEd – Bachelor of Education (Visual Arts), University of Melbourne
- 2020 GDP – Graduate Diploma Psychology, University of Melbourne (in progress; 90% complete)
English