Embracing Obstacles

11/05/2025

Keeping educated is so important and this is (sadly) an area of massive need in the community so when I saw this (free) course offered by Lifeline, I jumped on it.
If anyone is interested in doing some courses through Lifeline, jump online and check out what else they do.

25/03/2025

03/03/2025

Well I am a uni student once again! 📚 🤓

I’m very happy to have been accepted into Flinders University to gain more knowledge into the very important subject of working with Trauma.

Today is day 1 and this will be me for the next two years! 🧗

28/02/2025

For anyone who wants a great explanation of trauma and the impact it can have, check out this video below.

What is trauma? The author of “The Body Keeps the Score” explains, with Bessel van der KolkSubscribe to Big Think on YouTube ►► https://www.youtube.com/chann...

25/02/2025

I value having a setting that is therapeutic, whatever that means to the unique individual who comes for counseling. 🕯️🌸

I’m very fortunate to have two rooms, one of which is the traditional counselling space with comfy seats and the other more geared for creative expression and more typically used by my younger clients. 🧸 🎨

16/02/2025

As a huge lover of books myself, I’m a big fan of books that I feel may be useful to those who come to therapy.

These are some of my absolute faves that my junior clients love ❤️

The prominent theme of most of these books is anxiety and how we can all experience it at times and some strategies we can use to best manage it.

I would highly recommend any of these books, they are all written by a psychologist by the name of Karen Young, you can follow her and check out her products at https://www.facebook.com/share/1C4HtgJDrN/?mibextid=wwXIfr

13/02/2025

I am very fortunate to not only have a traditional sit down counselling room but also have a space to offer a range of creative therapies.

I offer play therapy, art therapy and sandtray therapy who might like to explore other ways of expressing and processing their reasons for coming to therapy where using words might not feel right or feel enough.

If you want to know more or want to reach out, you will find information and contact form on my website at https://embracingobstacles.com.au/

07/02/2025

My name is Lorelai and I’m a counsellor with over 25 years of experience working in mental health. I am in private practice and based in Bringelly.
My passion lies in supporting individuals of all ages—whether you’re a child, teen, or adult—through life’s challenges. I understand that everyone’s journey is unique, and I’m here to provide a safe, compassionate space where you can explore your emotions, build confidence, and work towards healthier relationships. I offer a range of different approaches such as play therapy to my junior clients, sandtray therapy, art therapy, walk and talk therapy and traditional talk therapy.
If you would like more information, please reach out to organise a phone chat to see if I’m the right fit for you or your child.

More information at my website at https://embracingobstacles.com.au/

30/01/2025

For anyone interested, I have now done a couple of these free workshops/courses and they are fabulous! I highly recommend them 🙌

⭐️ FREE WORKSHOPS
Join us for a series of valuable workshops this February, designed to build awareness, enhance skills, and provide support for mental health and su***de prevention.

These workshops are perfect for anyone interested in learning how to support others in times of need and respond effectively to mental health challenges.

Courses include:
SafeTALK Liverpool –
Feb 6 and 24
SafeTALK is a three-hour presentation which aims to increase su***de awareness by teaching participants how to recognise signs of a person in distress and considering su***de. Participants learn how to respond appropriately to a person considering su***de and how to use available resources to link that person with professional help.

Accidental Counsellor Online
Virtual Courses -
Feb 7, 20, or 28
Many people without counselling qualifications find themselves in a counselling role by accident, when offering emotional support or during difficult conversations. The Accidental Counsellor workshop aims to introduce you to basic counselling skills and is delivered by qualified Lifeline trainers in an interactive virtual classroom.

Mental Health First Aid- CAS Liverpool –
Feb 12
This new course is based on our expert consensus guidelines “Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours: First Aid Guidelines’. Curriculum content is evidence-based, with the input of mental health professionals, researchers and consumer advocates.

ASIST- 2-day Workshop –
Feb 13 and 14
ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop in su***de first-aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognise when someone may be at risk of su***de and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. Although ASIST is widely used by healthcare providers, participants don’t need any formal training to attend the workshop—ASIST can be learned and used by anyone.
Register here and start equipping yourself with life-saving techniques:

SafeTALK Feb 6 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1200612216459?aff=oddtdtcreator

Accidental Counsellor
Feb 7 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1123219944089?aff=oddtdtcreator

SafeTALK Feb 7 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1094803569949?aff=oddtdtcreator

MHFA Conversations about Su***de Feb 12 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1123218018329?aff=oddtdtcreator

Accidental Counsellor
Feb 20 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1123221298139?aff=oddtdtcreator

Read the Signs Feb 20 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1110919904339?aff=oddtdtcreator

SafeTALK Feb 24 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1122616168179?aff=oddtdtcreator

Accidental Counsellor
Feb 28 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1123222130629?aff=oddtdtcreator

23/09/2024

I now have a website. If you would like more information about what I do and how I work, please check it out :)

Compassionate counselling services in Bringelly, NSW offering support to all ages. I Specialise in managing emotions, building confidence, and navigating life’s challenges.

02/09/2024

Love this ❤️

I love being a parent. I love it with every part of my being and more than I ever thought I could love anything. Honestly though, nothing has brought out my insecurities or vulnerabilities as much. This is so normal. Confusing, and normal.

However many children we have, and whatever age they are, each child and each new stage will bring something new for us to learn. It will always be this way. Our children will each do life differently, and along the way we will need to adapt and bend ourselves around their path to light their way as best we can. But we won't do this perfectly, because we can't always know what mountains they'll need to climb, or what dragons they'll need to slay. We won't always know what they’ll need, and we won't always be able to give it. We don't need to. But we'll want to. Sometimes we’ll ache because of this and we’ll blame ourselves for not being ‘enough’. Sometimes we won't. This is the vulnerability that comes with parenting.

We love them so much, and that never changes, but the way we feel about parenting might change a thousand times before breakfast. Parenting is tough. It's worth every second - every second - but it's tough. Great parents can feel everything, and sometimes it can turn from moment to moment - loving, furious, resentful, compassionate, gentle, tough, joyful, selfish, confused and wise - all of it. Great parents can feel all of it.

Because parenting is pure joy, but not always. We are strong, nurturing, selfless, loving, but not always. Parents aren't perfect. Love isn't perfect. And it was meant to be. We’re raising humans - real ones, with feelings, who don't need to be perfect, and wont need others to be perfect. Humans who can be kind to others, and to themselves first. But they will learn this from us. Parenting is the role which needs us to be our most human, beautifully imperfect, flawed, vulnerable selves. Let's not judge ourselves for our shortcomings and the imperfections, and the necessary human-ness of us.❤️

21/07/2024