After many years working as a Special Education Teacher at various schools across Melbourne, travelling to far off places, being involved in many community development projects and study I decided it is time for me to venture into the counselling and community health sector.
In 2017 I started a Rehabilitation Counselling degree at La Trobe University to assist me to work directly with individuals, families and carers. I am now an accredited Rehabilitation Counsellor with ASORC membership. I have completed my Masters in Health Sciences (Rehabilitation Counselling). I am proud of this achievement especially as not only did I study rehabilitation -I lived it! Ironically I suffered a major car accident, a broken foot and four operations across 3 years.
I have witnessed just an iceberg tip of what individuals, parents and carers cope with on a daily basis. I have sat listening to your stories of success and whilst in the middle of your battles. I keep hearing these similar stories and have done so every year as a teacher…so time for me to support you from a different angle and to focus on your needs, not just your child’s.
What echoed back to me most was how many people, parents and families felt alone and isolated, not time for themselves and so busy with appointments they did not know where to start some days.
In my role as teacher, I never had enough time to help empower and equip you with the support I would like to have given. It is via your experiences and sharing that I will be richer in the consultancy services I hope to bring to you and your family. With my educational background I hope together we can co-design plans and strategies that are contextual and of best fit for you and your situation.
Why call my business Echo Back?
1. Listening, not just hearing
At the beginning of a school year, one of my students with Autism was very hard to connect with. I observed over a couple of days this student singing a particular song over and over. I decided to play this song on YouTube and echoed it back. He came running from another room and we had a moment of serious joint connection and enjoyment…my YouTube Choosing program was born. My student who initially wouldn’t join in for group time activities was suddenly there and ready to choose a song.
2. Intensive Interaction
I am interested in Intensive Interaction. I attended training at Bayside SDS by Dr Mark Barber. The Melbourne Intensive Interaction Conference 2017 was a fantastic learning and networking opportunity. The core concept of II is based on mutual understanding, utilising a child’s own language to create a socially engaging atmosphere of trust, personal engagement, exploration and mutual communication that is directed by the learner. I hope to offer services that utilise this method of practice into my business soon.
3. Motivational interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing Techniques within my interactions with people. I aim to create a safe place and space for people to explore and work through their own questions. People are far more resilient than they think. My job is to support you to echo back your own thoughts and motivations. Miller and Rollnick’s book Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change (3rd Edition) is a great resource.
The logo
This beautiful artwork was designed by GDJ from OpenClipArt which thankfully provides free use public art under the Creative Commons network.
Thank you GDJ for such a beautiful piece of work! Find this artist on OpenClipArt.
Why this logo?
I was drawn to this image as it represents the colours, murkiness and chaos of life. Like a kaleidoscope that changes colours with every turn…never the same.
Sometimes we are uncertain about the path ahead..sometimes we see the path and other times we need a little support to take the first steps.
I want to help you foster these innate qualities already gifted to you, perhaps not yet uncovered or realised.
Echo Back Consultancy 