About

Sara Phillips

Family Counsellor / Coach

The type of counselling and coaching I offer is holistic and solution-focused. It is a combination of evidence-based neuroscience and polyvagal theory intertwined with ancient wisdom from many philosophies/spiritual traditions across the world with the main focus being supporting you to access your own inner wisdom in your body, mind, heart & spirit.

When appropriate I like to use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, NLP and attachment theory / abandonment wound healing (for the inner sense of shame, the internal dialogue of ‘I’m not good enough’). Please ask for more information on these methodologies and I welcome requests for particular forms of therapy if you already know what works for you.

I use a combination of ACT, mindfulness and CBT in my own life and I personally experienced depression and anxiety in my teens and early 20’s so I know what it is like to use CBT/ACT & mindfulness as part of recovery. A focus in each counselling / coaching session will be small changes that you will experiment with daily to retrain your brain to feel differently and to find new ways of being.

I write about my mindfulness journey here: https://deepheartwisdom.com/2015/08/27/my-mindfulness-journey/

Particular interests I am continuing to grow and learn in:

• Couples Counselling: communication, conflict resolution, rebuilding or renegotiating your relationship, identifying core needs / feelings, (I am completing Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 2 Clinical Training and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT))

• Supporting Parents to support children/teens with anxiety / other emotion issues: I am trained in No Scaredy Cats, Cool Kids Anxiety Program (& Chilled Teen Program) and the ProACTive treatment program for young people and children with anxiety.

• Supporting Parents to improve their relationship with their child/teen: communication, parenting, conflict resolution, navigating a child/teen’s need for connection and independence.

• Navigating important life transitions: (becoming a parent, becoming an empty nester, changing jobs/careers, perimenopause, menopause).

Interest Areas I bring into counselling/coaching:

In 2021 I’m Reading or Listening to:

• Emotional Agility by Susan David
• The Art of Holding Space by Heather Plett
• Discovering the Inner Mother by Bethany Webster
• Eight Dates to keep your relationship happy, thriving & lasting by J & J Gottman
• Radical Awakening by Dr Shefali Tsabary
• Dare to Lead Podcast by Brene Brown

My Personal Favourite Daily Mindfulness Activities:

• Stream of consciousness journalling
• 10 minute recorded meditation (my favourite right now are music & mantras with Deepak Chopra)
• Shower affirmations
• Art Journalling
• Mindfulness Walk / Swim
• Hug until relaxed
• New Moon & Full Moon Labyrinth

PACFA Reg. Provisional No. 27532.

Background/Experience:

I worked as a Speech Pathologist for over 10 years in the Kimberlys WA and Tasmania and then as a primary school teacher and family support worker in Alice Springs.

From 2015-2018 I ran Mindful Parenting Mindful Coaching and I am experienced in working 1:1 with parents and in groups / workshops such as Bringing Up Great Kids, Positive Discipline, How to talk so your kids will listen, Raising Resilient Teens.

I am a Professional Certified Coach (over 500 hours coaching) with the International Coach Federation & I am a member of PACFA & ACA. I receive external supervision to support me to develop my skills and I am always comfortable in referring clients to the appropriate service as needed.

I completed my Master of Counselling at Monash in 2020 and worked as a Youth Mental Health Clinician and Therapeutic Groups Facilitator at headspace Port Macquarie from January 2018-June 2020 and then as a Student Counsellor, Community Development Worker and Relationships Counsellor at Interrelate until May 2021.