0439 456 335
MONIQUE RUTHERFORD Somatic Attachment Focused Expressive Therapy® & Training
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~ MONIQUE'S BOOKS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED AND SHE IS NOT TAKING ON ANY NEW CLIENTS~
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Counselling Children & Young People

​Individual Counselling using Expressive Therapies and Sandplay Therapy is available for children and adolescents.  These personal journeys of healing increase self awareness, emotional intelligence and reconnection to inner resources. 
 
Young people come to counselling for many different reasons.  They may have been affected by an emotional or traumatic event, like divorce or the death or illness of a loved one.  They may have suffered an early trauma, repeated abuse or live in an ongoing stressful environment, like shared parenting, resulting in emotional turmoil.  Often a child’s unusual or challenging behaviours alert us that something is not quite right and they may benefit from connecting with and articulating their inner world.  We all have a deep yearning to be heard and listened to.  This desire and yearning to express what is inside is even stronger in young people.
 
When our emotions are blocked we can feel ‘stuck’, sad, angry, alone, resentful, depressed, confused and more.  Adults can either carry these feelings around for long periods of time, ignoring the messages from their bodies and the yearnings from their heart, or find positive ways to deal with them.  Children are less able to create this split and can lack the language to gain appropriate support.  They will respond through behaviours that often seem challenging to adults, ie. aggressive outbursts, attention seeking, anxiety, attempting to gain control, unsuccessful peer and sibling relationships, sleeplessness, bedwetting, depression, school refusal and the list goes on.
 
A deeper look below the surface reveals what is blocking, holding and preventing growth.  Expressive Therapies provide many safe ways for young people to explore and express what is happening in their inner world.  By bringing a deeper awareness to these blockages and uncovering the healthy energy and positive emotions that exist at the core of each and every one of us.
 
Expressive Therapy uses self-discovery processes to bypass the logical mind and tap into that world we know exists but cannot seem to comprehend consciously.  This experiential and holistic way of working involves more than ‘just talking about the problem’, and provides the opportunity for real and lasting change.  It is based on the belief that each person has their own inner wisdom, and that the expert on who we are and what we need is actually inside us.  This allows a client to not just express in words a particular issue, but to then feel the energy of their inner experience.  When we connect with and really feel this energy we become open to new ways of understanding the problem.  This method allows a feeling of release, insight, increased energy and a sense of well being and resolution.  

I am also a qualified Bush Flower Essence Practitioner.  Australian Bush Flower Essences are catalysts to unlock your child's full potential, resolve negative beliefs & create emotional health & wellbeing.  They have been been described as vibrational therapy and are used all over the world to help manage the emotional demands of everyday life.  Flower Essences are pure and natural and can be a very supportive addition to your child's healing journey.   
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The Way I Work

​PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF SESSIONS
It is preferable to have an interview with you before your child commences sessions to complete consent forms, to ensure I have a good understanding of the situation and to assess whether counselling is appropriate.  After the interview and if counselling is appropriate, your child will commence 3 to 6 sessions, which are an hour in length.  A follow up interview session will be arranged at the completion of 3 to 6 sessions to review progress and create future plans.
 
REPORTING BACK TO PARENTS
Your child is my client and client confidentiality applies to children and adults alike, however if any safety issues arise I will inform you immediately. In order for trust and confidence to be established, it is essential for children to be able to explore things without censoring their own feelings (often to protect the feelings of a parent/parents). I aim to develop a working partnership with you, for the best outcomes for your child. 

VIBRATIONAL ESSENCES
Australian Bush Flower Essences are available for those wanting to supplement their child's healing journey with holistic support from the flowers of the robust Australian outback.  In my experience, the bush flower essences offer a powerful way to really support your child's deeper journey and shift anything that feels stuck.

Investment

​Parent Interview; Child & Adolescent Counselling; Parent Review 
One hour each .................  $100

​Vibrational Remedies - Australian Bush Flower Essences
15ml Bottle (plus consultation) ...................$20

​You do not need a referral to access my service as I don’t offer Medicare rebates.  I keep fees to a minimum so my rates are competitive and match the gap fee that is typically charged by psychologists.  Please check your health fund to see if they cover counselling and psychotherapy services.  Medibank private insurers are eligible to get rebates.  Please check your policy.  Because I am a private practitioner and not funded by any other means I don’t offer reduced fees.

​Forgotten appointments will require full payment as I set the time aside for you or your child.  24 hours notice to reschedule appointments is greatly appreciated.

How to Make an Appointment

I am available for sessions on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during business hours.

My clinic is located at 'Safe Haven Studio', 111 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby, Northern NSW, Australia.

To make an appointment with me, please get in touch by phone or email.
Make an Appointment

Acknowledgement of Country

Diversity is Welcome

I would like to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s First People, Traditional Custodians and Sovereign owners of this country.  I value their cultures, identities and continuing connection to country, waters, kin and community.  I pay my respects to Elders past and present and am committed to making a positive contribution to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by providing services that are welcoming, safe, culturally appropriate and inclusive.  I acknowledge that Sovereignty was never ceded.
I am  committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of counselling & training services. I welcome all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.
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Make the Change You Wish To See ​in the World...

When you invest in your future through my services, you're also creating meaningful change in the world, because every service you engage with supports YARNS HEAL, Suicide Prevention  Campaign.​
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​+61  439  456  335

111 Stuart Street
Mullumbimby  NSW  2482

​©2020 Monique Pangari


Photos used under Creative Commons from Julian Meehan, tedeytan