Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (Charles Sturt University)
- Masters of Social Work (RMIT)
- Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AASW)
Experience
Stuart has worked in community mental health, crisis phone counselling, specific LGBTQIA+ counselling, Headspace and has been engaged in clinical projects in the community.
After many years in counselling positions, Stuart has moved into leadership positions, supporting staff to hone their counselling skills and be agile in the client presentations that access support.
At Safe Place Therapy, Stuart manages the clinical frameworks for the clinic as a whole. He also provides debriefing and coaching to staff and external practitioners who need supervision guidance. All this has shaped Stuart’s ability to sit with risk and complex trauma. It has also helped him become a strong advocate for LGBTQIA+ people in the intricacies of identity and building a solid sense of self.
Approach
There is often a reference to a ‘lasagne of shit‘ in the first session with Stuart, as there are often so many parts that add up to a person’s internal struggle and ongoing pain.
It takes time to understand those layers, as well as the nuances the client brings, and the goals they have. Stuart understands the importance of balance, and helping the client feel equipped with tools so they can start building control and hope.
There is a lot of consideration in tailoring approaches to a client’s needs. For instance, he tunes in to how the client likes to engage, and conceptualises and implements what works for them in daily life.
Stuart really likes to ‘dig in’, so if you are someone that likes to delve into the issues at hand, or are coming to counselling knowing there is a lot to unpack, Stuart is the Therapist for you.
Focus Areas
Some of Stuart’s focus areas are:
- LGBTQIA+ people
- Couples of all different forms and life stages
- Neurodiverse people, and Stuart is proudly diagnosed with ADHD
- Complex grief and Loved ones affected by Suicide.
- Work-based issues that impact personally or professionally
- Complex trauma work
- Clients who have engaged in therapy who need something different than CBT or ACT strategies
- Uses Emotion Focused Therapy for individuals and couples (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative Therapy, Dialetical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and recently EMDR
Videos and Podcasts
Get to know Stuart better by watching his videos on the Safe Place Therapy YouTube Channel, or listen to his podcasts, here.