Unfurl: EMDR Therapy and Counselling

02/03/2026

Today, I had the privilege of sharing with WOMB Mother's Circle about communication and intimacy in the first year after having a baby.

Drawing from Gottman Institute research and Eve Rodsky's Fair Play practical resources we discussed ways to strengthen relationships.

Becoming a mother is transformative: physically, emotionally, and relationally.

Many couples experience distance and disconnection during this season.

Parenthood is a major transition and your relationship will change.

With mutual care, effort and support, you can strengthen your relationship, building deeper intimacy in life after baby.

Before fixing intimacy, understand the forces at play:

1. You are neurologically rewired

Postpartum hormones + sleep deprivation + constant vigilance = survival mode.

Survival mode, connection and intimacy don’t coexist easily.

2. Invisible labor exploded - tracking feedings, nap windows, doctor appointments, milestones.

The mental and emotional load quietly erodes capacity for desire.

3. Couples shift from lovers to logistics managers

You may feel like co-managers of a small, loud startup.

None of this means love is gone. It means structure and connection need updating.

Having a baby doesn’t have to be the end of intimacy.

You are likely overstimulated, under-rested, and over-responsible for the work that comes with motherhood.

It can get better over time and with mutual care and effort.

Intimacy after having a baby is often less about spontaneity and more about:

• Emotional safety
• Reduced mental load
• Intentional connection

When partnership feels equitable and emotionally safe, desire has room to return, and relationships can strengthen in life after baby.

Further reading and practical tips available at:

https://www.unfurlemdrtherapy.com.au/blog/intimacy-after-baby

https://www.gottman.com/blog/category/parenting-emotion-coaching/

https://fairplaypolicy.org/the-cards

01/03/2026

Now available - NDIS funded therapy!

In-clinic and home visits available for kids and adults who are self or plan-managed.

Supporting children, young people, adults, and families to feel safe, confident, and capable.

At Unfurl EMDR Therapy and Counselling, we provide trauma-informed, evidence-based therapy for NDIS participants and their families.

Our approach is compassionate, collaborative, and tailored to each person’s goals, strengths, and lived experience.

We understand that behind every NDIS plan is a person, and often a family, doing their very best.

As a qualified and registered social worker trained in EMDR and counselling approaches, we help participants build:
• Emotional regulation skills
• Confidence and resilience
• Healthy coping strategies
• Social and relationship skills
• Greater independence
• A stronger sense of safety and wellbeing

Our work focuses on capacity building, meaning we support participants to develop lifelong skills that extend beyond therapy sessions.

Therapy for Children:

We provide gentle, developmentally appropriate support for children who may experience:
• Big emotions and meltdowns
• Anxiety or worries
• Behaviour challenges
• School refusal or school-related stress
• Social difficulties
• Impacts of trauma or adverse experiences

Therapy for Teenagers:

Adolescence can bring unique challenges. We support teens with:
• Anxiety and stress
• Identity and self-esteem
• Social pressure and friendships
• Emotional regulation
• Trauma recovery
• Transition planning

Our approach respects autonomy while building trust, skills and confidence.

Parent & Carer Support:

We work closely with parents and carers by offering:
• Practical regulation and behaviour strategies
• Guidance for managing emotional overwhelm
• Support navigating school and community systems
• Strength-based parenting support

We know that when families feel supported, children thrive.

Therapy for Adults:

For adult NDIS participants, we offer support with:
• Emotional wellbeing and mental health
• Trauma processing using EMDR
• Relationship challenges
• Building daily living confidence
• Community participation
• Life transitions

At Unfurl EMDR Therapy and Counselling, we are:
• Trauma-informed
• Neuro-affirming
• Strengths-based
• Collaborative
• Inclusive and culturally sensitive

If you’re unsure, or want further information, reach out for a conversation to explore whether our services are the right fit for you and your family.

09/01/2026

First week back ✔️

So grateful to reconnect with awesome clients and to welcome new faces into the space for 2026 🌿

Thank you for the trust, courage, and honesty you bring to this work. I'm excited for the growth and change ahead!

Currently accepting new clients for EMDR therapy and counselling.

Bookings via Halaxy https://www.halaxy.com/profile/unfurl-emdr-therapy-and-counselling-machans-beach/location/1312655 or website https://www.unfurlemdrtherapy.com.au/

09/01/2026

EMDR Therapy explained!

Find an EMDR therapist: https://psychhub.com/EMDR is an evidence-based treatment where repetitive eye movement is used to make telling a story easier. #...

03/01/2026

Happy New Year ✨

If you’re anything like me, your social media feed is currently full of self-improvement messaging: better habits, more productivity, diets, exercise plans etc.
The underlying message often being that we need to become better versions of ourselves.

But constantly striving to 'be better' can sometimes be a trauma response.

Maybe you don’t need to improve who you are.
Maybe you need compassion for where you’re at.
You may simply need space to process what you’ve been through.

For many people, the challenges they carry aren’t about motivation or willpower. They’re about a nervous system that has adapted to stress, overwhelm, or past experiences in order to survive.

🌱 EMDR therapy is one way of doing things differently.
It’s an evidence-based, trauma-informed approach that helps the brain and body safely process experiences that are still impacting you, without needing to talk through every detail.

This New Year could be an opportunity to try something different.
Not to fix yourself, but to support your healing.

✨ Unfurl EMDR Therapy and Counselling is open for the New Year and currently accepting new clients.

Cairns-based in-person and telehealth appointments available this week.

Book via the link in bio or reach out for more information.

You don’t need fixing. You deserve support.

Heal, grow, and reconnect with Unfurl. Therapy and EMDR in Cairns for women, children, and families.

01/09/2025

To celebrate my beautiful new website ✨️ www.unfurlemdrtherapy.com.au 💫 I'm offering a September special!

A five-session therapy package for all new and returning clients (adults, kids and families) for $650 (valued at $750).

You'll have 12 months to book your sessions and you have the option to get your money back on unused sessions at any time, for any reason.

Could this be your time to unfurl? 🌱

23/08/2025

EMDR for kids - explained 💫

An introduction to trauma and Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing for parents and children. Produced by Russell Hurn and the Child and Adolescent Secti...

21/08/2025

Virtual walk through of WOMB - Unfurl's beautiful therapy space shared with Beneath The Palms Midwifery and Full Circle with Perri Louise 💫

18/08/2025

Unfurl invites you to experience the nurturing environment of WOMB, Machans Beach, where EMDR therapy and counselling are available for children, adults and families.

19/07/2025

🌱 New availability 🌱

Starting this week, appointments available Wednesday afternoons until 7pm! Openings for new and regular clients.

Could this be your time to Unfurl?

08/07/2025

🌱 Mothers Matter 🌿

Behind a thriving child, there's usually a mother doing her best, often while running on empty.

Mother's carry so much: the emotional load, the planning, the long nights, all with neverending love ❤️

🤱🏽 When we support mothers, the whole family benefits
💭 When we listen to mothers, we learn from their innate wisdom
💞 When we care for mothers, we nurture the next generation

Motherhood isn't meant to be done alone. Let's build communities where mums feel seen, held and supported, not judged or forgotten.

💫 When a mother feels safe and supported, she can unfurl, and her children will flourish ✨️