MGA Counselling Services

05/05/2026

Mother's Day is this coming Sunday!

Forest Therapy Victoria has planned a special Forest Therapy experience led by Liza Costello at the Edgars Creek Parklands in Coburg. It's a time for Mums to enjoy three hours of time in nature, free from life's normal pressures.

Bring Mum along to experience a series of sensory, mindful and creative activities designed to help her relax, unwind and refill the tank.

Discounted Forest Therapy Journals are also available for that something extra for Mum.

But don't just buy her a ticket - she will want to do this WITH you.

Come along with Mum, celebrate Mother's Day, experience the health benefits, and make some beautiful memories together.

Tickets are available here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/forest-therapy-mothers-day-experience-edgars-creek-parkland-tickets-1987799549964

30/04/2026

I didn’t set out to become a counsellor.

Like many journeys that end up meaning something, mine began somewhere else entirely—working as a technical officer, then years in pastoral care, walking alongside people in some of their hardest moments.

Sitting with grief. Showing up after crisis. Listening to stories that didn’t have easy answers.

Over time, something kept tugging at me.

A sense that there was more to this work of sitting with people… that there were deeper ways to help them reconnect with themselves, with others, and with something beyond the noise of everyday life.

That’s what led me into counselling.

MGA Counselling Services grew out of that desire—to create a space where people could feel genuinely seen, heard, and supported.

Not rushed.

Not fixed.

Just met, as they are.

But even that wasn’t the whole story.

I began to notice that some of the most powerful moments in counselling didn’t happen in the room.

They happened outside. Walking slowly. Sitting under trees. Letting the natural world do what it does so well—ground us, soften us, remind us that we belong.

That’s where Forest Therapy Victoria was born.

Nature Play 4 Kids followed a few years later. COVID stunted its growth though.

And alongside that, Life Therapies Victoria and High Sensitivity Australia emerged as a broader expressions of the same heart: supporting people through life’s complexity with care, curiosity, and practical tools for change.

These spaces—MGA, FTV, NP4K, HSA and Life Therapies—aren’t separate things to me.

They’re different expressions of the same calling.

To walk alongside people.

To help make sense of pain, grief, and growth.

To create spaces where people can breathe again.

Looking back, none of it feels accidental.

Each step—every role, every conversation, every challenge—has shaped the way I work today.

And I’m still learning.

Still listening.

Still walking.

www.mgacounselling.com.au
www.foresttherapyvictoria.com.au
www.natureplay4kids.com.au
www.highsensitivity.com.au
www.lifetherapiesvictoria.com.au

28/04/2026

Our first Forest Family event for Nature Play 4 Kids is on this coming Sunday (3rd May) at 9:30am, Warrien Reserve in Croydon North. This will be fun, but it’s more than that.

This will be educational, but it’s more than that.

Our Forest Family program is about connection. Connection with nature, with each other, and with a greater sense of wellbeing.

All of our NP4K programs have been designed from scratch, drawing on our years of experience in the counselling space with MGA Counselling Services, and in nature with Forest Therapy Victoria. The aim is to enhance creativity, enhance wellbeing, facilitate better regulation, stress management and anxiety levels.

And help families make this a normal part of their weekly rhythm.

The central philosophy of NP4K is “Bring nothing. Leave with Everything”.

You won’t need to bring lots of equipment, or spend hours preparing activities. Nature will dictate what we do and how we do it.

Our guides will teach families to do the same.

Come and join us this Sunday for “Forest Families” or join one of our other events in the coming months.

Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/forest-family-event

www.natureplay4kids.com.au
www.foresttherapyvictoria.com.au
www.mgacounselling.com.au

02/07/2025

Have you ever wished there were Australian-based resources, trainings and person gatherings created by highly sensitive people, for highly sensitive people? ...

24/06/2025

The best place to be for creative thinking and inspiration (for me, at least) is in nature.

Here’s a few moments from my planning meeting this morning. The trees had far better ideas than I did!

13/04/2025

02/03/2025

The team at MGA Counselling Services have been working on a new wellbeing offering for small and medium sized businesses that usually find current Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) cost prohibitive.

Today we launch a fully customisable, affordable EAP model with no annual fees, tailored to enhance the wellbeing of employees in SMBs in Australia.

From the MGA Counselling Services website:

In today’s fast-paced business environment, the well-being of employees is paramount. For small and medium-sized businesses in Australia, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) offer a lifeline, providing essential support to enhance productivity and morale. At MGA Counselling Services, we understand the unique challenges faced by these businesses and are committed to offering tailored solutions that foster a healthier, more resilient workforce.

Whether you have five employees or over one hundred, the MGA EAP can be designed specifically to your industry and your needs. We will work with you to ensure your workforce is supported and cared for.

In person sessions are located in some areas, with online and phone sessions available everywhere. After hours and weekend appointments are also available.

For more information, visit the website: https://mgacounselling.com.au/mga-employee-assistance.../

If you're an owner of a SMB feel free to get in touch and organisae a no obligation chat. If you work for one, please pass this on to your business owner.

Regards,

Matt

08/10/2024

Since the start of the year I've been working on a mindful garden and outdoor counselling space at the Manna Gum Studio.

I find myself sitting out there most days, and when I do this piece by my son Tom Glover come to mind.

it suits the peaceful mood of nature beautifully.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikuw2f2I6Ks

His first big show is happening next month. If you're free on November 9th and want to hear this and the rest of his album live, grab a ticket and come along.

Tickets here: https://www.tomglovermusic.com.au/shows/

Proud of my boy!

'Song for a Sunrise' - from my new EP: 'In the Garden, Under the Moon'Tabs available here: https://www.tomglovermusic.com.au/store/Tom Glover:Website & Tab S...

05/09/2024

Low cost counselling available at MGA Counselling Services

At MGA Counselling Services, we're dedicated to making support accessible to as many people as possible. This commitment extends not only to our clients but also to those beginning their journey as counsellors or enhancing their qualifications.

We currently have three students on placement offering affordable counselling services in Boronia (VIC), East Doncaster (VIC), and Potts Point (NSW). All students are also available for online sessions.

Gigi, placed with Forest Therapy Victoria, has a special interest in working with both children and the elderly, utilising nature-based interventions to support wellbeing. She has a background in early childhood education and is completing her Master’s at James Cook University.

Laura, placed with MGA, offers both in-clinic and outdoor counselling. She has a background in Bush Adventure Therapy and is completing her Master’s at Monash University.

Kaytie, also placed with MGA, provides in-clinic and outdoor sessions. Her experience includes adult education and eco-therapy, and she is currently completing her Bachelor’s degree at Ikon Institute.

All three students bring a wealth of experience in the wellbeing sector and have joined MGA to further develop their expertise and credentials.

There is no waiting list to see them, and sessions are available for $80.

If you or someone you know is interested, please reach out via private message or through our website: http://www.mgacounseling.com.au.

24/08/2024

I've just finished (I think) giving the Forest Therapy Victoria website a long overdue overhaul.

The public walks are still there, but I've made a point of emphasising the corporate wellbeing days and individual, nature-based counselling.

Take a look: https://www.foresttherapyvictoria.com.au/

Let me know if you find any really bad typos or broken links!!

Of course, please share with anybody that you think might be interested or could benefit from non-counselling room counselling!

Thank you always for your support.

Matt

22/08/2024

Forest Therapy Victoria is coming to Sydney in September!

So far we have two events planned.

The first is a four hour professional development workshop designed for counsellors and others in the people helping professions. This will start at 1pm on Friday 20th September.

The second is a public three hour event for whoever wants to be there! This will start at 9:30am on Saturday 21st September. A second event will be scheduled if this sells out quickly.

Both events are being held at Cann Park in La Perouse and will include both beach and forest therapy. Maximum numbers for both is 15 people.

For more information, visit the newly revamped Forest Therapy Victoria website: http://www.foresttherapyvictoria.com.au

To book your place in the PD, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sydney-using-forest-therapy-in-your-counselling-practice-tickets-976087362577?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

To book your spot in the public event, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sydney-forest-therapy-experience-cann-park-la-perouse-tickets-999916074897?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Sydney friends - please share to folk you think might be interested.

Pic: Hollow Mountain in the Northern Grampians, July 2024