Counselling For Depression And Anxiety | Serenity Mental Health Services

"Healing takes time, and asking for help is a courageous step."

Mariska Hargitay

ABOUT

ABOUT ME

Hi, I'm Kerrie. Welcome to Serenity Mental Health Services.

As a Person Centred Counsellor, I understand the challenges of finding a Counsellor who not only has the skill to treat the presenting issue but, more importantly the empathy, kindness and patience a client needs to feel safe, respected and heard.

Are you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, sad, using drugs or alcohol to help you cope? Are you unable to move past a challenging time in your life or sick or waking up every day feeling the same? Helpless, hopeless, frustrated, feeling you have no purpose? Are you ready to get help?

I work with clients with a variety of presenting issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use disorders, grief and loss, self esteem issues, relationship issues, challenges at work, needing to set boundaries or a process of self discovery as you are feeling lost or unhappy with your life. Whatever it is you are needing support with, I believe therapy is a process through which we can find the answers together to help you move forward in your life.

As a Person Centred Counsellor I will actively listen to your needs, build rapport to help you feel safe and comfortable and support you to recover, grow, learn more about yourself and reach the goals you would like to achieve in therapy.

I have a Bachelor of Counselling, a Diploma of Counselling and a Diploma in Business. I am registered and insured with Psychotherapy and Counsellors Federation of Australia (PACFA). I am approved to work with NDIS clients who are self managed or plan managed and I have a working with children check and a national police check. I attend monthly clinical supervision and participate in ongoing training to ensure my clinical skills and knowledge are maintained.

I currently work in a private mental health facility as well as running my private practice so I have extensive experience supporting people with the many challenges life can throw at you.

On a personal level, I am a kind, compassionate, understanding person who genuinely cares about my clients and is passionate about working in the mental health space.

Often I meet people at the worst time of their lives and to be able to listen to my clients, support them and provide them with coping mechanisms and techniques to allow them to overcome their challenges and work through difficult issues, to move forward into a happier place in their life is very rewarding.

How can I support you?

Please send me an email or give me a call so we can discuss how to start the journey to a happier, healthier life you deserve.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Counselling
Diploma of Counselling
Member of PACFA - Registration Number 27716
NDIS approved Counsellor for self-managed or plan managed clients
Working with Children Check
Current Police Check

EXPERIENCE

I have worked in the community sector for over 20 years, with a focus on the most vulnerable people in our community; people from low socio economic areas, those escaping domestic violence, people living with addiction, the elderly, first nations people, returned service men and women and people struggling with mental health and substance and process disorder issues.

After my own lived experience with mental health issues, I became passionate about helping people as I had been helped and after graduating from university began working in a mental health clinic within a private hospital. In this space I was exposed to working with people from all walks of life, presenting with various mental health, trauma and substance use disorders. Five years later, I continue to work in this area, providing 1:1 counselling to clients as well a running psychoeducation classes on a variety of mental health topics. As well as working at the clinic, I facilitate mental health groups in both the private and public sector and am passionate about educating people about substance use disorders, trauma and mental health issues.

I have worked in my own private practice for over 2 years now and find the work very rewarding. I am committed to my clients and do my best to not only help my clients resolve the issues they come to therapy for but to support and improve their overall mental health and quality of life.

SPECIALTIES

Depression
Anxiety
Trauma
Grief and Loss
Relationship issues
Addiction - substance and process

“I have been suffering with depression for many years and Kerrie's approach with me has been amazingly supportive and helpful. I felt comfortable discussing my issues and she helped me develop strategies I can use to help me cope. She went out of her way to support me on several occasions when I really needed help."

Joy, private inpatient

CONTACT ME

CONTACT

Please feel free to email me with a brief outline of what you would like to commence therapy for and I will call you to discuss your needs and book a session time that suits you. I conduct sessions via Zoom, Microsoft Teams or in person, weeknights between 6.00 pm - 9.00 pm and on Saturdays between 8.00 am - 4.00 pm.

PHONE

0435951776

E-MAIL

serenitymentalhealthservices@optusnet.com.au