Natalie Smith
Holistic Counsellor, Mentor and CoachHelping you channel your full potential
Hi, I’m Natalie! I Offer Counselling, Coaching, Mentoring, Support Groups, and Intuitive Services.
Work History
I am a registered counsellor with the ACA and AASW with a Bachelor of Social Work and Post Grad in Counselling majoring in Grief and Loss. I’ve been in the Social Welfare Field for 15 years.
Worked for 1800RESPECT as a First Responder – Counsellor
They were a free confidential information, counselling, and support service available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family, or sexual violence.
Worked for Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand as Specialist Family Violence Case Manager
In this role I worked as a case manager with women and children experiencing and escaping family violence.
Worked at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in Ravenhall as a Family Violence Specialists
My role included family violence and emotional support counselling for women leaving prison requiring support, services, funding, safety planning and case management support.
Worked at Caroline Chisholm Society as a Pregnancy and Family Services Worker
The role consisted of case management, coaching, counselling, risk assessments, safety planning, resources, referrals, brokerage, and advocacy for the family unit.
Worked as a Youth Residential Worker for approximately 10 years.
The role included responding therapeutically to the young people by using trauma informed practice, case management, advocacy, providing referrals, developed individual plans for each young person and collaborated with internal/external services/programs.
Education
2016
Undertaken Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling at AIPC in Grief and Loss.
2013
Bachelor of Social Work at Victoria University.
2006
Certificate IV in Community Services at NMIT.
What Frameworks build my Practice?
As a counsellor, my approach is deeply rooted in a holistic perspective, which encompasses various frameworks to cater to the diverse needs of my clients. Central to my practice is the person-centered approach, where I prioritize creating a supportive and empathetic environment that empowers individuals to explore their own experiences and emotions freely. Additionally, I integrate elements of positive psychology to foster resilience and personal growth, encouraging clients to focus on their strengths and potentials rather than solely on problems.
Mindfulness techniques form another cornerstone of my counselling approach, aiding clients in developing present-moment awareness and cultivating acceptance of their thoughts and feelings. Drawing from feminist theory, I am committed to promoting equality and addressing issues related to power dynamics and social justice within the therapeutic relationship. Existential therapy adds depth to my practice by exploring questions of meaning, purpose, and freedom, helping clients navigate existential concerns and find authentic ways of being in the world.
Furthermore, I employ systems theory to understand the interconnectedness of individuals within their environments, recognizing the influence of family dynamics, cultural backgrounds, and societal structures on personal well-being. Overall, my counselling methodology is integrative and client-centered, tailored to honour the uniqueness of each individual while also acknowledging the broader contexts that shape their experiences and identities.
Frameworks In More Detail
Person-Centered Approach
- Create a supportive and empathetic environment.
- Prioritize clients’ autonomy and self-exploration.
Positive Psychology
- Foster resilience and personal growth.
- Focus on strengths and potentials.
Mindfulness
- Develop present-moment awareness.
- Cultivate acceptance of thoughts and feelings.
Feminist Theory
- Promote equality within the therapeutic relationship.
- Address power dynamics and social justice issues.
Existential Therapy
- Explore questions of meaning, purpose, and freedom.
- Navigate existential concerns authentically.
Systems Theory
- Understand the interconnectedness of individuals and environments.
- Recognize the influence of family, culture, and society.
Holistic Approach
- Tailor counselling to honour individual uniqueness.
- Acknowledge broader contexts shaping experiences and identities.