This area of early childhood development, adolescence and family issues is another specialist area that Don has specialist training, skills and experience in.

Don has specialist training, skills and expertise in childhood and adolescent development, attachment and family therapy where counsellors often sees the child as a window the family system and wider problems that may be occurring than the presenting concern of the children. Often when children are stressed the family can be going through many difficulties of their own.

Children face many pressures in this modern world and they need a secure and safe environment to thrive in. Children will have issues growing up with family, friends, school, teachers, education and learning, bullying and developing social skills.

Adolescents have a confusing time with identity, (who am I) physical body development, change, acceptance by peers, needing to assert and develop themselves as young adults , separate from the umbilical cord of their parents and take life threatening risks with drugs, sex, cars and alcohol. Relationship emotions are heightened as they explore the pleasures of life and crash when they breakdown.

The task of therapy is help to build strength, courage and resilience as they develop new skills to cope with life challenges.

Useful links: www.cyh.com.au & www.bullingnoway.gov.au

Don is an accredited counsellor with the Department of Veteran Affairs and can provide counselling services to veterans, their children and families referred by the Department. Don has had specialist training to work with veterans in the areas of PTSD, anxiety, depression, alcohol use and addictions. Veterans have experiences significant war trauma that has affected them and their families for many years. Family violence, breakdown, nightmares, inability to cope with everyday life and suicide are common factors resulting in broken relationships with partners and children not coping with the veterans behaviour.

Useful links: www.dva.gov.au

Aged Care can be a difficult time for the elderly, their families and their carers as difficulties arise in the ageing process with illness, lack of mobility, needing full time care, dementia, and transitioning from home to hospital, to possibly a residual facility.

Don can provide skills of mediation, advocacy and counselling assistance for individuals and their families in this time of change, declining health and transition into care. Don can assist with the grief and loss issues that come with this change, possible family conflict and adjustment for the elderly to their new home environment. Don can also assist the elderly with maintaining positive mental health with chronic diseases they may have.

Useful links: www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au

Don is an experienced practitioner working with vulnerable people of all ages who have a physical and intellectual disability and is a registered provider with NDIS. www.ndis.gov.au

Chronic illness and Pain management are ongoing issues for many that causes a great deal of discomfort, distress and anxiety associated with challenges that can arise with illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, asthma and arthritis that affect individuals, their families and their carers especially with life threatening or life changing diagnosis. Don has skills and experience in assisting individuals through the process of managing pain, discomfort, trauma and distress that can occur with chronic illness and pain.

Useful links: www.reachout.com

Don had a previous career of 20 years in the Transport Industry (Rail) and gained his first degree in Business with the emphasis on Human Resource Management and Transport Operations. In this career he completed training and experience in organizational management, operations, industrial relations and occupational health and safety.

These skills coupled with his training in Social Work, therapy and organisational management issues he worked with as a senior manager and clinician in the Health industry has provided Don with the skills and experience to offer clients assistance with workplace issues such as bullying, staff conflict and organizational change. Don is currently registered as an Associate with several organisations who he provides counselling through their Employee Assistance Programs to staff and families.

Don is an experienced educator and supervisor and is able to offer other colleagues clinical supervision.

Don is interested in the concept of Spirituality and has undertaken studies and training in this area for his professional and personal use. Counsellors in their training and professional development are exploring more the concept of mindfulness, meditation, yoga, prayer, religion and the client’s meaning for the term “soul” and how client's belief systems use these and similar resources to help them cope in times of severe distress. The goal being strength, courage, resilience in the face of adversity to help them develop, Peace, Healing and Wellness from Within.