Qualifications & Professional Memberships

Qualifications:

  • Graduate Diploma of Counselling - Western Sydney University

  • Advanced Diploma of Transpersonal Art therapy - College of Complimentary Medicine

  • Diploma of Leadership in Expressive Arts and Group Work - College of Complimentary Medicine

  • Bachelor of Social Science majoring in Development Studies and Culture Change - Macquarie University

Professional Memberships:

  • Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia - Sophie Josephine Nyssen, PACFA Reg.Certified Practising 32308

Professional & Personal development

  • Trauma Sensitive Practice - Working with Complex Trauma - Blue Knot Foundation

  • Shine from Within Youth Mentorship Training (current)

  • Child Protection in Action - LEAD professional development

  • Trauma Informed Interviewing - STARTTS

  • Certificate of Shamanism and Transformational Mask - Vicki Dean

Ongoing Learning & Areas of Interest

  • Trauma-informed and attachment-based approaches

  • Parts work & Internal Family Systems (IFS)

  • Somatic inquiry and embodiment

  • Ecopsychology and spiritual ecology

  • Mindfulness and meditation

  • Mythopoetic & Depth psychology

  • Ritual, Ceremony and Rites of passage

  • Intergenerational and cultural wisdom

A little about my journey and the threads that shaped my work…

I was born and raised in the Upper Blue Mountains of New South Wales, on Gundungurra and Dharug Country. This place has shaped me in countless ways and nurtured a deep love for the communities and land on which I live, work and love.

For as long as I can remember, I have been deeply curious about people and the human experience. I was fascinated by why we are the way we are, what shapes our lives, and how our relationships with ourselves, one another and the living world influence our wellbeing and sense of purpose.

This curiosity led me to study Social Science, Development Studies and Culture Change. Alongside a growing commitment to social and environmental justice, these studies gave me a valuable understanding of the social, cultural and systemic influences that shape our lives. Yet I found myself longing for a more relational and experiential way of working with people, one that honoured not only the mind, but also creativity, meaning and the wisdom held within each person.

In time, I discovered (or rather stumbled upon) Transpersonal Art Therapy, and it felt like the missing piece I hadn't known I was searching for. Studying Transpersonal Art Therapy not only transformed the way I worked with others, but also invited me into my own journey of healing and self-discovery, deeply shaping both the therapist and the person I am today. It taught me that therapy is not simply about solving problems, but about creating the conditions where people can reconnect with what is most authentic, meaningful and alive within themselves and how, in turn, that can become their gift to the world.

After several years working in the field, I undertook postgraduate studies in counselling, deepening my understanding of person-centred, trauma-informed and attachment-based therapies. Today, I weave these two pathways together, working from an integrative approach, thoughtfully adapting each session to the unique needs, strengths and goals of the person or group I’m working with.

Over the past eight years, I have had the privilege of supporting individuals and facilitating therapeutic art groups across Sydney. Working within women's centres, alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services, domestic and family violence services, community organisations and youth programs. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the many ways people experience adversity, healing and growth, while fostering a profound respect for the resilience, courage and wisdom that every person carries, even in life's most difficult seasons.

Outside the therapy room, I continue to be inspired by nature, creativity, contemplative practice and communities exploring what it means to live in deeper relationship with ourselves, one another and the more-than-human world. Over the past decade, these experiences have quietly shaped the way I live and the way I hold therapeutic space, with presence, curiosity and compassion.

The name Threads of Connection reflects the heart of my practice. It speaks to something I have come to believe deeply through both my personal and professional journey: healing begins in connection. We are shaped by the relationships we have with ourselves, with others, with the natural world and with the stories that give our lives meaning. When those threads become strained or broken, we often feel it deeply. Therapy can be a place where those threads are gently tended, strengthened and, at times, rewoven.

Having experienced the transformative potential of therapy in my own life, I understand both the courage it takes to begin and the many emotions that can arise along the way. My intention is to offer a space where you can be met with compassion, curiosity and respect as we explore your inner and outer worlds together. It is a privilege to walk alongside people as they discover their own capacity for healing, growth and meaningful change.

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about me and the journey that has shaped my work. If what you've read resonates with you, I'd love to connect. I offer a complimentary 20-minute get-to-know-you call, providing a relaxed opportunity for us to meet, discuss what you're looking for, and explore whether working together feels like the right fit.

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