The vision of this work is about supporting individuals to connect to their wisdom and capacity for change and growth. I see this as connecting more deeply to our inner strength which is what helps us to face life's challenges and move through what may be holding us back from living fully and thriving.
My training is in Somatic Experiencing trauma therapy and bodywork, Integral Somatic Psychology, intersubjective self psychology, counselling, spiritual care, and coaching. I chose these modalities because I love the way they help us get in touch with our natural capacity for growth, recovery and healing. I also appreciate these approaches because they touch more deeply on what it means to be alive and part of this world in both practical and deeply reflective ways.
I have always thought that play therapy should be for adults as well as kids, so there is often an element of fun, laughter or play in sessions.
My training is in Somatic Experiencing trauma therapy and bodywork, Integral Somatic Psychology, intersubjective self psychology, counselling, spiritual care, and coaching. I chose these modalities because I love the way they help us get in touch with our natural capacity for growth, recovery and healing. I also appreciate these approaches because they touch more deeply on what it means to be alive and part of this world in both practical and deeply reflective ways.
I have always thought that play therapy should be for adults as well as kids, so there is often an element of fun, laughter or play in sessions.
About Chantal
I came to this work, like most people, through my own journey. Finally finding my way through long-term chronic illness and exploring my own healing from childhood and illness-related trauma led me towards Somatic Experiencing, a modality I have come to love for its simplicity and its trust of our innate capacity for healing. For me it is miraculous the way our body and mind knows what it needs if we can slow down enough to hear.
Along the way I had some wonderful (and terrible - for me) counsellors. I still appreciate having my own therapeutic space: somewhere that is quiet, where I can be listened to and heard. But I also know that it is not always enough to feel seen and heard. Sometimes I need someone to give me guidance, help me to learn some new skills. And that is what I aim to offer you: a listening presence so you can hear your own inner self as well as tools and guidance to support your learning and growth.
I work with individuals, couples, parents and children. Relationship, at the end of the day, whether to those around us or the one we have with ourselves, are the building blocks of being, healing, and becoming.
This work gives me deep joy. To see people connect to their wisdom and inner strength, to find what is true and begin to thrive in new ways keeps me here wanting to support those who feel drawn to work with me in these ways. It is my wish that when people come to see me they feel known for who they are and respected for their courage in meeting their life. That's how I have also wanted to be attended to in my own dark hours and my deepest challenges. And thank goodness I have met enough people who could so that I can be here with you, too.
Background
I started this work as a life coach and relaxation massage therapist. I soon realised I wanted to work more deeply with people. This led me to my therapeutic trainings and to bringing therapy into aged-care from 2016-2021. I also worked in spiritual care at Canberra Hospital from 2017-2020 as a student and then volunteer and then coordinated spiritual care from 2019-2020 at University of Canberra Hospital before settling into full-time private practice.
Qualifications
Graduate Diploma in Counselling - University of Canberra (Graduated 2017)
Somatic Experiencing - Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels (Graduated 2019)
Integral Somatic Psychology - (Graduated 2020)
Intersubjective Self-Psychology - TRISP (Foundations completed 2023, Advanced studies 2024-current)
Gottman Couples Therapy - Level 1 (Completed 2020)
Life coaching - ACS education (Completed 2012)
Additional Training
Ongoing study groups and webinar teachings - variety of topics relating to developmental trauma from an intersubjective self psychology and psychodynamic psychotherapy perspective
Narcissism and self psychology – with Sandra Lauffenberger (2022-current)
Affect and self psychology – with Sandra Lauffenberger (2021-22)
Trauma Healing for Children - from a Somatic Experiencing® perspective, with Maggie Klein
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - Level 1 with Russ Harris
Cultivating Compassionate Presence - Spiritual Care International
Parent Effectiveness Training - practitioners training, Peaceful Parenting
Hardwiring Happiness: mindfulness and neuroplasticity - interventions devised by Dr. Rick Hanson to develop our capacity to overcome negative brain bias, connect to healing in the here and now and increase wellbeing.
Art therapy - Basic principles and techniques of art therapy as a modality to support growth. Sensorimotor Art Therapy Australia.
Contemplative Psychology/Karuna (compassion) - Introductory course with Melissa Moore.
Therapeutic relaxation massage - Discover Massage Australia
Supervision
In line with industry standards, I receive regular one-on-one supervision and ongoing peer support to ensure and develop the quality of my service.
One-on-one
I currently receive regular one-on-one supervision from two therapists. One is a body-oriented somatic pscyhotherapist. The other holds an Intersubjective Self Psychology frame at the centre of practice and supervision.
I also receive regular group supervision from Raja Selvam (ISP) and from a Canberra-based somatic psychotherapist, who also holds a self psychology frame within her somatic psychotherapy practice.
Conferences
Graduate Diploma in Counselling - University of Canberra (Graduated 2017)
Somatic Experiencing - Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels (Graduated 2019)
Integral Somatic Psychology - (Graduated 2020)
Intersubjective Self-Psychology - TRISP (Foundations completed 2023, Advanced studies 2024-current)
Gottman Couples Therapy - Level 1 (Completed 2020)
Life coaching - ACS education (Completed 2012)
Additional Training
Ongoing study groups and webinar teachings - variety of topics relating to developmental trauma from an intersubjective self psychology and psychodynamic psychotherapy perspective
Narcissism and self psychology – with Sandra Lauffenberger (2022-current)
Affect and self psychology – with Sandra Lauffenberger (2021-22)
Trauma Healing for Children - from a Somatic Experiencing® perspective, with Maggie Klein
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - Level 1 with Russ Harris
Cultivating Compassionate Presence - Spiritual Care International
Parent Effectiveness Training - practitioners training, Peaceful Parenting
Hardwiring Happiness: mindfulness and neuroplasticity - interventions devised by Dr. Rick Hanson to develop our capacity to overcome negative brain bias, connect to healing in the here and now and increase wellbeing.
Art therapy - Basic principles and techniques of art therapy as a modality to support growth. Sensorimotor Art Therapy Australia.
Contemplative Psychology/Karuna (compassion) - Introductory course with Melissa Moore.
Therapeutic relaxation massage - Discover Massage Australia
Supervision
In line with industry standards, I receive regular one-on-one supervision and ongoing peer support to ensure and develop the quality of my service.
One-on-one
I currently receive regular one-on-one supervision from two therapists. One is a body-oriented somatic pscyhotherapist. The other holds an Intersubjective Self Psychology frame at the centre of practice and supervision.
I also receive regular group supervision from Raja Selvam (ISP) and from a Canberra-based somatic psychotherapist, who also holds a self psychology frame within her somatic psychotherapy practice.
Conferences
- Artwork, Big Grief, shown at the IAPSP Pacedena Conference, 2025
- Presented at the 2023 The Canberra & Region Self Psychology Community Conference: “Nurturing the Tendrils of Health: Working with the Forward Edge in Clients, Self and Community”
- Presenting at the 2023 ANZAP conference.
- Listening to the conversations of our bodies: Somatic intersubjectivity in psychotherapy, (2025) Psychoanalysis, Self and Context. DOI - 10.1080/24720038.2024.2404452
Professional Memberships
International Association for Psychoanalytic Self Psychology (IAPSP)
PACFA. Reg.Clinical 24360
Below is the PACFA code of ethics by which I abide.
International Association for Psychoanalytic Self Psychology (IAPSP)
PACFA. Reg.Clinical 24360
Below is the PACFA code of ethics by which I abide.
| pacfa-code-of-ethics-2017.pdf |