Working together with your NDIS
I work with you, to reach your NDIS goals, as a:
- Nature Mentor
- Creative Arts Therapist
- Psychosocial Recovery Coach
- Forest Therapy Guide
I support your self expression & creativity; your sense of fun & meaning; & your relationship with yourself, your community & the natural world.
During a Nature Mentor or Forest Therapy session, I guide you to connect with yourself & your environment, to feel supported & held, and to respond to what you are experiencing safely. This may be sitting by a creek, walking in parks or forests.
As a Psychosocial Recovery Coach, I work with you to decrease your level of stress, to bring a sense of ease, to connect all parts of your life & to be a companion as you navigate life at your pace. Nature Connection & Creative Arts Therapy practices of movement, writing, drawing, photography & voice may guide us.
I am passionate and bring over 20 years experience of working with people with diverse experience of disability and lived experience of mental health in the arts, education, disability and community sectors.
Services may be claimed by self-managed and plan-managed NDIS clients through:
- Core Funding: Access, Social, Community and Rec Activities 04_104_0125_6_1 or
- Capacity Building Funding:
- Innovative Community Participation 09_008_0116_6_3 or
- Psychosocial Recovery Coaching 07_102_0106_6_3.
If you feel that my services may be able to support you with your goals, please contact me about providing information which you can present at your NDIS planning meeting. If you already have an NDIS Plan, please contact me to discuss how we may work together... with nature.
Working in Partnership with Nature
Community Access
Community Access
Community Access
Community Access includes sitting, walking and moving in nature, while observing it and ourselves. This may range from being companioned sitting by a creek to walking in natural environments, from urban to national parks. We respond to what is experienced in nature and in ourselves, moving and pausing as we wish.
Nature Mentoring
Community Access
Community Access
Nature Mentoring is an experiential & educational alternative to therapy. Spending time in nature, while mindfully engaging through our senses, builds a meaningful relationship with our natural surroundings, develops a sense of belonging and has direct benefits to our physical and mental health. Nature Mentoring can be a powerful way to deepen the positive effects of psychotherapy. As Nature Mentoring, does not follow the standard activities set by the International Core Curriculum for Forest Therapy, it is more spontaneous & flexible.
Forest Therapy
Community Access
Forest Therapy
Guided Forest Therapy follows the standard set by the International Core Curriculum as specified by the International Nature & Forest Therapy Alliance INFTA. Forest Therapy, based on the Japanese Practice of Shinrin Yoku, is a research based public health practice of guided immersion in forests, with the aim of promoting mental and physical health whilst relaxing and enjoying natural environments.
Our Stories
Connecting with You
Connecting with You
Connecting with You
“What are you noticing?” We begin with what we can see. We laugh when this turns into a playful game. Then I suggest that we listen to sounds which are close and sounds which are far away. We begin to touch the different surfaces and textures. We notice the coolness of sea water and the warmth of the rough rocks. As we walk, we notice the sea breeze lapping against our exposed skin. Then we pause to notice the scents & aromas which we can smell. We notice how this comes & goes. We wonder what this moment tastes like, as we cast our shadows across the dry wetlands with the sea breeze rustling our hair.
- 7 April 2021
Walking with You
Connecting with You
Connecting with You
We take it in turns to lead & follow. We became curious about the warm peppery aromas & the shifting cool breezes rising up from the creek below. I notice that you brush your fingers across the tips of the dry grasses & blooms as you walk, enjoyjng the sensation. We find butterflies, parrots, robins & a blue tongue lizard. We chat & we listen. We are quiet. We are beyond the city & in nature’s care. There is a sense of safety & freedom. As a companion, I guide you to slow down & to notice what you are experiencing as we share a walk and talk.
- 12th February 2021
Creating with You
Connecting with You
Creating with You
We meet at an exhibition. You are working towards your first exhibition & we are taking time to reflect on your creative process, see other artist’s work and have conversations about what you enjoy making.
Sometimes we sketch in the gardens & other times we work on your artist statement, resume & portfolio. We work on what feels right at the time, allowing space for conversations about life.
- 25 February 2021
INFTA
Accredited Forest Therapy Guide FTG
NDIS Provider
Mental Health
First Aider
IFT Institute of Forest Therapy Mentor & Lecturer