Welcome to
Your Life Therapy
"Embrace Your Journey, Discover Your Potential: Counselling for Authentic Living"
Therapy Your Way
Welcome to Your Life Therapy, where your journey takes centre stage. My name is Jon, and my approach to counselling is collaborative and personalised, tailoring my approach to your unique life circumstances, experiences, and needs. At Your Life Therapy, empowerment is key, acknowledging that "Your Life" means you are in control of your own path. The aim is to support you in making choices and meaningful changes specific to your life.
Embracing a holistic approach, Your Life Therapy considers the various aspects of your life—relationships, career, mental health, and personal growth. These elements are interconnected, and positive changes are possible by gaining a deeper understanding of yourself through a collaborative process. The focus is entirely client-centred.
Your life story, experiences, and aspirations are at the heart of our sessions. I listen actively, empathise deeply, without judgement and provide unwavering support as you navigate your unique challenges.
With Your Life Therapy, expect a positive outlook, an emphasis on personal growth, resilience, and the belief in your capacity for positive change. Your Life Therapy embodies a client-centric, personalised, and empowering approach. We will work together to address your concerns and work towards reaching your goals within your life.
Welcome to Your Life Therapy, where your journey towards a fulfilling life begins.
“...the biggest prison is in your own mind, and in your pocket you already hold the key: the willingness to risk; the willingness to release yourself from judgment ... accepting and loving yourself for who you really are - human, imperfect, and whole.”
― Edith Eger
About Jon
I am a registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association and have worked in the fields residential rehabilitation, as well as mental health and domestic violence. Additionally, I hold qualifications in Social Science, Psychology, Mental Health, and Counselling.
I believe we can all make positive changes through connection (primarily to self), discover meaning and purpose and live a life of responsibility.
We are always changing, sometimes consciously and at other times unconsciously. If we can understand ourselves more intimately and become more conscious and intentional, positive change is possible.
I am open, inquisitive, judgement-free, and respectful, with a “real life,” direct and client-centred approach to my work.
"Embrace Your Journey, Discover Your Potential:
Counselling for Authentic Living"
Counselling Style
Even though you might not always feel like it, you are the expert in your own life. Life's complexities can often leave us feeling overwhelmed, confused, and adrift, lacking purpose and direction. This can lead to adopting unhealthy coping mechanisms to avoid thoughts and feelings altogether. My approach involves treating you with empathy, acceptance, and without judgment in a practical and supportive manner.
Together, we will collaborate to rediscover your strengths, nurture resilience, and unlock your potential for growth, facilitating the changes you desire. I firmly believe in the possibility of positive change. I will approach our interactions as equals, providing a safe and genuinely human environment, marked by compassion, and tailored to your individual needs.
"Embrace Your Journey, Discover Your Potential:
Counselling for Authentic Living"
Support for...
“Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny”
- C.S. Lewis
What is?
Anger Management
Anger, a common emotion experienced by nearly everyone, is complex and often overused to mask deeper feelings. Failing to grasp our true emotions may lead us to channel them solely through anger.
When anger surfaces, it can lead to negative outcomes. Misunderstood, misdirected, or uncontrolled anger holds the potential to harm both the individual experiencing it and those around them.
Anxiety
Anxiety can feel overwhelming, hindering your ability to enjoy life and causing a constant sense of unease. It may manifest as difficulty concentrating, freezing up inexplicably, trembling, a racing heart, or excessive sweating. While natural and occasionally beneficial in aiding peak performance, prolonged anxiety can severely disrupt daily functioning.
Triggers for anxiety can vary widely, stemming from specific situations like social anxiety or more difficult to identify sources.
Continued and disruptive anxiety might escalate into stress, known for its documented physical, psychological, and social impacts when prolonged.
What is?
Comorbidity
Comorbidity in psychology refers to the co-occurrence of two or more disorders or illnesses within the same individual. When a person is diagnosed with a particular disorder, they might also exhibit symptoms or meet the diagnostic criteria for other disorders simultaneously.
Depression
Depression, distinct from typical feelings of sadness, is characterised by prolonged extreme despair. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), it can impact daily activities and potentially result in physical symptoms like weight fluctuations, disrupted sleep patterns, and decreased energy levels (Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology. Sourced from, https://www.apa.org/). Additional symptoms encompass lowered mood, difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation, fatigue, low self-esteem, feelings of shame, guilt, and more.
What is?
Grief and Loss
Loss in life naturally triggers feelings of grief, whether it's the loss of a loved one, a miscarriage, a beloved pet, an identity, a job, a city, or a country. Extended periods of grief can profoundly affect us, leading to confusion, sadness, regret, denial, and even anger.
This emotional and physical toll of grief and loss drains us, diminishing motivation and direction, making life challenging to navigate and derive joy from. Prolonged grief can significantly impact broader mental health.
Personality Disorders
A personality disorder is a mental health condition characterised by enduring patterns of behaviour, cognition (thoughts), and inner experience that deviate significantly from cultural expectations and cause distress or impairment in functioning. These patterns typically manifest across various situations and are inflexible and pervasive, causing problems in personal relationships, work, and other areas of life. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health disorder characterised by patterns of intense emotional instability, turbulent relationships, self-image disturbances, impulsive behaviour, and significant difficulty in regulating emotions. Individuals with BPD often experience intense mood swings, which can lead to unstable relationships and a distorted sense of self.
What is?
PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after an individual experiences or witnesses a traumatic event or events. Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD, but for some, the symptoms can be severe and long-lasting. PTSD can significantly impact a person's daily life, relationships, and mental well-being.
Trauma
Trauma refers to an emotional or psychological response to distressing or disturbing events that overwhelm an individual's ability to cope. Traumatic experiences can vary widely and may include events such as accidents, natural disasters, violence, abuse, combat, or other life-threatening situations.
What constitutes trauma can differ from person to person, as individual responses to events are highly subjective.
What clients say...
“My sessions with Jon have been invaluable in helping unpack my thoughts and feelings around things that were causing distress in my every day life. I’ve found it extremely helpful to have someone impartial to speak to who has experience in matters of the heart and head, and have found Jon’s approach to be thoughtful and encouraging. Jon is the first counsellor I have seen and I feel quite fortunate to have found someone who is such a good fit for my mental health needs.”
~ M.R
“Jon’s collaborative, practical, accountable, trustworthy, and non-transactional approach to therapy has exceeded everything I felt possible out of therapy. Jon’s ‘real life’ perspective and willingness to relate, creates an environment that allows me to share some of my deepest, darkest topics possible and unpack them.
I foresee Jon being a consistent part of my life and future moving forward, and strongly recommend him and his services to anybody in need, regardless of the circumstances or history.”
~ S.L
What clients say...
“Finding a therapist who truly understands the complexities of navigating illness and anxiety is a journey in itself. I am incredibly fortunate to have found Jon, whose expertise and empathy have been instrumental in my recovery journey.
Jon possesses a remarkable ability to create a safe and nurturing environment, fostering open and honest communication. His approach is both professional and deeply compassionate, allowing me to explore and confront my challenges in a supportive setting. Jon's guidance has been pivotal in helping me understand and manage my illness and anxiety, providing me with the tools and strategies to cope effectively.
His patience and understanding have been a constant source of comfort. Jon's insights and perspectives have not only aided in my recovery but have also empowered me to view my struggles through a more resilient and hopeful lens. His dedication to his clients is evident in every session, and his commitment to my well-being has been a beacon of light during my darkest times.
I highly recommend Jon to anyone seeking a therapist who is genuinely committed to their client's healing and growth. His expertise, coupled with his empathetic nature, makes him a remarkable therapist and a true asset to anyone navigating the complexities of mental health.”
~ S.B
Your Life Therapy
"Embrace Your Journey, Discover Your Potential: Counselling for Authentic Living"
Appointments
Individual Sessions: $150 (60-minutes)
In person, online (video), or by phone.
Longer sessions: available upon request
Concession rates may be available; please contact us to discuss eligibility.
All sessions by appointment only
Payment by Bank transfer, Cash, Electronic Funds Transfer, Mastercard, Visa
© Copyright 2023 - All Rights Reserved Your Life Therapy
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of country
throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures, and elders past, present and future.