about clinton

gestalt therapist and couples counsellor in Sydney

I am a clinical counsellor and Gestalt therapist  based in Sydney, Australia, who helps singles and couples move out of relationship pain.

I am passionate about helping individuals and couples create healthy relationships. For close to a decade I have had the pleasure of providing relationship counselling and couples therapy to people who have struggled due to painful relationship patterns. Many of my clients longed to create respectful, loving and life affirming relationships for years before they began counselling with me.

It has been a privilege to witness the transformations of my clients as they break their destructive patterns to form relationships that are based on honesty, respect, and true intimacy.

becoming a couples counsellor and gestalt therapist

My interest in counselling grew out of my earlier career as a professional classical musician. For 15 years I performed with world-class orchestras in Sydney and overseas. As a performer I often struggled with performance anxiety and nervousness and this led to an interest in the mind and the psychology of performing.

In taking my interest in psychology further, I received my post-graduate degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy from Jansen Newman Institute of Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy in Sydney after 2 years of study and 50 clinical hours of client work.

Following graduation, I undertook a position as a primary counsellor and group therapist in a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation setting. This gave me a thorough understanding and appreciation for individuals that struggle with dependence issues. I am currently a preferred service provider for Sydney’s South Pacific Private, Australia’s leading treatment facility.

My musical background led me to be attracted to therapy modalities that involved more than just talk therapy. I was drawn to the more experiential and creative methods and therefore specialised in Gestalt Therapy.

I received my Advanced Diploma in Gestalt Therapy from Gestalt Practitioners Training Sydney after 4 years of study and 30 clinical supervision hours. I am a Clinical Member of GANZ (Gestalt Australia & New Zealand), which means I have completed over 750 face-to-face client hours since graduation and over 75 hours of supervision with a supervisor.

My interest in relationship issues developed from working at the organisation, Relationships Australia in Sydney for over 2 years as a couples counsellor. It was here that I encountered a wide range of relationship problems and worked with a large population of singles and couples. It was here that I received advanced training in relationship issues. I realised I had a passion for helping couples and individuals achieve their relationship dreams and aspirations.

counsellor teaching and training experience

In addition to my work in private practice, I  facilitated therapy groups of counselling students at Jansen Newman Institute, where I trained adult learners in therapeutic skills for 7 years. I now run group therapy within my private practice for those who want to learn how to deepen their relationships with others.

I am passionate about my own personal and professional development, which includes regular clinical supervision to enhance the quality of my work. What this means is that you are getting the best possible relationship help from our work together.

australia counselling online counselling directory

In 2011 I brought together my interest in technology and the Internet with my passion for counselling to create Australia Counselling- an Australia-wide online counselling directory where the Australian public can search for a registered counsellor, therapist or psychologist in their local area.

Australia Counselling now has over 100 counsellors throughout Australia including all the major capital cities and regional areas of Australia.

media and publications:

I have written and/or have been interviewed for the following publications about relationships:

• The Sun Herald,  Body and Soul lift-out: Ditch Your Baggage
• Cosmopolitan Magazine interviews- 2010 & 2011
• 9 to 5 Magazine: Living Apart Together
• Your Tango Experts- Feature Writer
• Outwords Magazine: Relationship Redefined

qualifications

• Advanced Diploma in Gestalt Therapy (GPTS)

• Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy (JNI)

• Bachelor of Music (WAPA)

• Graduate Diploma in Music (Sydney Conservatorium)

professional memberships

• Clinical Member, Gestalt Australia & New Zealand C 309 (GANZ)

• Psychotherapists and Counsellors Federation of Australia Reg. No. 21029 (PACFA)

• Preferred Service Provider, South Pacific Private, Australia’s Leading Treatment Facility (SPP)

counsellor trainings

• 2009 Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference, CA, USA

• Exploring Experiential Worlds

• Ethical Teaching of Counselling and Psychotherapy

• 2009 & 2010 International Therapists’ Leadership Virtual Conference

• Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Training (MBSR)

• Emotional Freedom Techniques

• The Existential Sand Tray

• A Fresh Look at Gestalt Therapy

• GANZ conference attendee 2004, 2006 and 2008

• NICABM mind-body training

• Gestalt Couples Training I & II

• 2006 Australian Family Therapy Conference

• Domestic Violence Training

• Domestic Violence- Working with Couples

• Sexual Complacency in Long Term Relationships

• Narrative Practice and Couple Therapy

• Gender Euphoria- Exploring Gender Belonging

• Family Constellations Training

• Relational Psychotherapy

• Group Leadership and Facilitation Training

• South Pacific Private Professional Training Program: Module I and II

• Counselling Adult Victims of Sexual Abuse

• Couple Therapy I

• Mindfulness Psychotherapy

• Post-Separation Training

• Ankali Project Emotional Support Training for People Living with HIV/AIDS

Are you ready to move out of relationship pain?

If so, contact me today at 0412 241 410 or email me to set up a FREE, confidential 10-minute phone consultation with myself.

To book an appointment NOW with my online appointment diary, click on the button below: