Counsellor Maddison Stewart

I've always been fascinated by human nature: why we are the way we are, and how we make sense of what happens to us. That curiosity led me to counselling, and to helping people build the skills they need to handle the things life throws our way.

I hold a Bachelor of Counselling, and maternal and infant mental health is a particular interest of mine. I'm also a mum of two, so I know I know first-hand how big a transition it can be. I noticed that women stepping into their new identity as mothers get very little education or support for that shift, and I want to help change that.

When I'm not working, you'll find me hunting down a really good coffee, browsing op shops, drawing or painting, or spending time with my family.

I want you to have a space where you can say what you've been too scared to say to anyone else, without judgement. In our first session there's no rush. I'll invite you to take a moment to settle into the room and notice your surroundings, because feeling safe comes before everything else.

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to healing and growth, so we work together in a way that feels right for you. My approach is person-centred and attachment informed, and I draw on mindfulness and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills for managing distress when they're useful. My goal is for you to become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, and to build the skills to be more emotionally resilient and flexible, so you can handle what life brings.

Sometimes, especially with trauma, there are no words for an experience, or saying them out loud is too much. In those moments I may offer mark-making, a different way to work through feelings that doesn't need any artistic ability. What matters is what comes up for you, not what ends up on the page.