FAQS
Whether you're new to Breathwork, Cold Water Therapy, Counselling or Lymph Massage or you've worked with me before, I'm sure there are some questions coming up for you.
I try to answer them here.
If your question isn't answered below, please head to the contact page and send me a message.
What is Lymphatic massage?
Lymphatic massage is a soft, rhythmic bodywork technique that encourages your lymph to flow more freely. It supports your body’s natural detox pathways, eases congestion, and helps you feel lighter — physically and emotionally. It’s not a deep massage. It’s soothing, slow, and deeply calming to the nervous system. And yet, it can bring powerful shifts in how your body feels.
What is The Lymphatic System?
The lymphatic system is one of the body’s essential cleansing and immune-supporting systems.It plays a quiet but powerful role in clearing waste, reducing swelling, filtering toxins, and supporting your body’s natural defences. You can think of it like your body’s internal river system — flowing just beneath the skin, carrying lymph (a clear fluid) through a network of vessels and lymph nodes. But unlike the blood, which is pumped by the heart, the lymph system relies on breath, movement, and gentle pressure to flow freely. When the lymph gets stagnant — due to stress, illness, surgery, or simply life — we might feel heavy, puffy, foggy, or sluggish. That’s where lymphatic massage can gently help.
Lymph Massage
Why would I have a Lymphatic massage?
You might come for lymphatic massage if you’re: Feeling puffy, bloated, or inflamed Struggling with fluid retention or sluggish digestion Recovering from illness, surgery, or fatigue Living with hormonal or immune imbalances Wanting to feel lighter, clearer, and more connected to your body It’s also a beautiful reset for those doing deep emotional or energetic work.
Will it hurt? I thought it was gentle.
Yes — the core of lymphatic massage is gentle, light-touch work. But every body holds different stories. Sometimes, the body will guide us to areas that feel tender, dense, or emotionally charged — often around the belly, jaw, ribs, or hips. In those moments, I may offer a little more focused support to encourage release. That said, you’re always in control. We move slowly, in dialogue with your body and breath. The aim is not to push through pain, but to soften into awareness.
What might I feel afterwards?
After a session, many people feel: Lighter, less congested, and more mobile A gentle energy shift — calm, clear, or sometimes emotional Less bloating or fluid retention A desire to rest, hydrate, or simply slow down Your body may continue to release in the hours or days following — through digestion, urination, emotions, or subtle energetic shifts.
How often should I come?
This depends on your goals and what your body is asking for. If you’re working with a specific issue (like fluid retention, gut health, or recovery), weekly or fortnightly may be helpful For maintenance and gentle support, monthly or seasonal sessions can be enough I’m always happy to chat and help you tune into what feels right for you.
What is holistic counselling?
Holistic counselling is a whole-person approach to emotional and psychological support. It considers the mind, body, emotions, spirit, and nervous system — not just symptoms. It’s about meeting you where you are with care and curiosity, and gently exploring what’s beneath the surface. You might come in with anxiety, sadness, confusion, or a sense of feeling lost. Together, we listen to what your inner world is asking for. It’s not about fixing — it’s about reconnecting to your own wisdom, so you can begin to lead yourself with more awareness, strength, and self-trust.
How is holistic counselling different from psychotherapy?
They are closely connected, and I offer both. In general: Counselling is often short-term and focused on a specific issue Psychotherapy tends to go deeper, looking at long-term patterns, beliefs, and inner dynamics My style blends the two, with a trauma-informed, body-aware, and somatic lens. We work not just with the mind and story, but with the body’s signals, the nervous system, and the emotional and energetic layers that often go unspoken. This work is influenced by the principles of Arnold Mindell’s Process-Oriented Psychology and is similar in many ways to somatic psychotherapy — honouring the intelligence of the body and the quiet voice within.
What do you actually do in a session?
We begin by talking — about what’s showing up for you, what you’re feeling, what you’re needing. From there, we might: Explore core beliefs and how they shape your experience Tune into your body and nervous system responses Work with emotions, triggers, and old patterns Practice boundary-setting (internally and externally) Use gentle mindfulness, inquiry, and body awareness to deepen insight Reflect and reconnect with the parts of you that are wise, capable, and whole It’s a space to be real, held, and deeply seen.
What kinds of people do you work with?
Counselling & Psychotherapy
I support people who are navigating: Life transitions and big changes Anxiety, burnout, emotional fatigue Depression or a sense of numbness Feeling lost, stuck, or unsure of the next step Identity shifts, grief, and healing from trauma The desire to create deeper self-awareness, self-leadership, and gentle change You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to be in crisis. Sometimes, you just need someone to walk beside you for a while.
Are you qualified?
Yes — I’m a registered therapist through PACFA (Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia), which means I meet national standards for ethics, training, and ongoing supervision. Why that matters: You’re in safe, professional hands I uphold ethical, inclusive, and confidential practice I receive regular supervision to support my own clarity and capacity At the same time, I bring warmth, intuition, and lived experience to this work — not just textbooks. What matters most is the space we create together.
Is this work trauma-informed?
Yes — completely. This means I will: Respect your pace and boundaries Never push you to go somewhere you’re not ready Help you build inner and outer safety Teach you how to recognise and work with your nervous system Honour your wholeness, even when things feel broken Healing is not linear. I’m here to walk beside you, not lead from above.
Do you give advice or tell people what to do?
No. I don’t believe in fixing or directing. Instead, I offer space, reflection, and tools that help you get to know your own inner landscape, so your next steps come from within — not from someone else’s idea of who you should be. I may offer insights, nervous system education, or practices that support you in creating change… but I always trust that you are the one who knows what’s right for you.
Can I really change? I feel stuck.
Yes. You can. Even if it doesn’t feel like it now. Even if you’ve felt this way for a long time. The first step is simply being witnessed — without judgment, without fixing. That alone begins to shift something inside. From there, change becomes not something you force, but something you allow. I’ll walk beside you with compassion, honesty, and deep respect for your path.
How do I get started?
You can book a 1:1 session via the website or reach out if you’d like to chat first. We can work together in-person (Albury-Wodonga area) or online. You don’t need to have a clear reason or big crisis to begin. If you’re feeling the pull — that’s enough.
What is cold water therapy?
Cold water therapy (also known as cold immersion or cold exposure) is the practice of intentionally immersing the body in cold water — often in nature or ice baths — to activate your body’s innate healing and resilience. This isn’t about pushing or punishment. It’s about meeting the cold with breath, softness, and presence — and allowing your nervous system to adapt in a powerful yet nourishing way.
Is cold water therapy safe?
Yes, when done mindfully and with proper guidance, cold immersion is safe for most people. It’s important to ease in gradually, learn to regulate with your breath, and avoid pushing through discomfort. People with certain conditions (like cardiovascular issues, pregnancy, Raynaud’s, or epilepsy) should consult a healthcare professional first. At my sessions, you're always guided gently — and we work with your body, not against it.
What are the benefits of cold exposure?
Cold Water Therapy
Backed by research from experts like Dr. Susanna Søberg, cold water immersion can support: Nervous system regulation (builds your “stress buffer”) Mental clarity and reduced anxiety Hormonal balance (especially post-exposure dopamine release) Anti-inflammatory effects Improved circulation and immune resilience Increased brown fat activation (supporting metabolism & warmth) It’s also a potent way to rebuild trust in your body and rewire your relationship with stress.
There’s a common myth that cold exposure is only for elite athletes or men pushing limits. But research, including Susanna Søberg’s, shows it is deeply beneficial for women — when practiced with respect for the female nervous system and hormonal rhythm. In my sessions, I offer trauma-informed guidance so women feel supported, safe, and in choice every step of the way.
Is cold water therapy for women?
How long do I stay in the cold water?
We focus on quality over quantity. As Søberg’s research shows, just 11 minutes per week total (split across a few sessions) is enough to gain the key health benefits. Most people begin with 1–3 minutes, supported by nervous system-aware breathwork to regulate and integrate. Sometimes it can even be 20 seconds and build up from there.
How cold is the water?
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to cold water — the ideal temperature is the one that challenges you just enough while still allowing you to stay present in your body and breath. For some people, that’s somewhere between 10°C and 15°C. This range is where the nervous system begins to respond, where the breath catches, and where you get the benefits without overriding your body’s signals. Some people start higher — even 16–18°C — and still feel the impact. Others might explore temperatures below 10°C once their body has built trust and resilience with the practice. It’s not about chasing numbers. It’s about deep listening. I always say: Cold exposure is not about how long or how cold — it’s about how present you can stay. Can you breathe with it? Can you soften into the moment? That’s where the magic happens. You can build your body to get a colder temp. The colder the water doesn’t mean it's better, it's all about listening to what works for you and your body. At my sessions the water is between 6-8deg and I have another tub colder around 0-3 deg. You choose which one.
What happens in a cold water session?
Sessions include: Gentle education and prep Guided breathwork for regulation Mindful entry into the cold Support before, during, and after immersion Integration and warm-up You’ll learn how to meet challenges calmly, how to listen to your edges, and how to leave feeling strong, clear, and alive.
Do I need to be fit, strong, or used to the cold?
Not at all. This is for anyone ready to meet themselves with curiosity. You’ll be fully supported — whether it’s your first time or your 50th. We go slow, and you’ll never be asked to push past your limits.
What should I bring to a cold water session?
Please bring: Swimmers or something you feel comfortable in Towel and warm clothes for after A water bottle An open mind — and maybe some nerves (that’s totally normal!)
What is breathwork?
Breathwork is the practice of using your breath — consciously, gently — to support your body, mind, and heart. It can help you regulate your nervous system, clear emotional or mental clutter, reconnect with your body, and come back to a sense of calm and safety. Your breath is always with you — and when we learn how to work with it, it becomes a powerful tool for healing, clarity, and presence. Sometimes breathwork feels quiet and grounding. Other times it opens deep spaces inside. Every session is different, because every body has its own rhythm, needs, and story.
What kind of breathwork do you offer?
I offer a few different types of breathwork, always meeting you where you’re at — whether that’s feeling anxious, shut down, curious, or just needing a reset. The types of breath we might explore include: Functional breath — simple techniques to support daily life, reduce stress, and build nervous system resilience. Retrain our breath how we were born to breath, long slow and deep. Pranayama — ancient yogic practices that balance energy, focus the mind, and create space in the body. I am currently in training for this course…teachings to come soon….calming breath flows or energising breath flows, you choose. Conscious Connected Breath — a deeper, more open style of breathing that can support emotional release, insight, and healing (we always move slowly and with care here) Sometimes we stay soft. Sometimes we go deep. The breath leads — and I walk alongside you.
I’m new to breathwork. Is this for me?
Yes. Breathwork is for everyone — no experience needed. You don’t have to know what you’re doing. You just need to arrive. I’ll guide you the whole way, and you’ll always be supported. This isn’t about pushing. It’s about presence. We move gently, at a pace that feels right for your body and nervous system.
Breathwork
What happens in a session?
We begin with a check-in — a moment to land, talk, and feel what’s present. From there, I’ll guide you through the type of breath that feels most aligned for you that day. You ’ll lie down, get cosy, and breathe in a way that helps the body soften and open. There may be music, silence, stillness, or release. You’re welcome to feel whatever you feel. I’ll be right there with you.
Is this work trauma-informed? Is it safe if I’ve experienced anxiety or burnout?
Yes. Everything I offer is guided with trauma-awareness, nervous system care, and choice. That means: We go slow You’re never pushed to do more than your system can handle You’re always in control of your experience Aftercare and integration are part of the practice Whether you’re healing from trauma, living with anxiety, or rebuilding after burnout — this work meets you gently.
Do you offer 1:1 or group sessions?
Both. 1:1 sessions are spacious, private, and completely tailored to you Group workshops or circles are small, safe spaces to explore breath in community I also hold seasonal events, retreats, and breath & cold immersions in nature, where the work deepens in beautiful and elemental ways If you’re unsure which is right for you, reach out — I’ll help you find your entry point.
What are the benefits of breathwork?
Some of the things people notice after breathwork: More calm Better sleep A clearer mind Emotional release Feeling lighter, more connected, or more grounded A gentle sense of ‘coming home’ Over time, breathwork helps rebuild nervous system resilience, deepen self-trust, and support healing on many levels — physical, emotional, and spiritual.
What if I get emotional or feel something big during a session?
That’s welcome. Breath has a way of helping us move what’s ready to move. Tears, laughter, numbness, stillness, tingles — all of it is part of the body’s language. You’ll be guided and supported, never left alone in the process. We always leave time for integration and grounding so you feel safe, clear, and resourced before you go.
What should I bring?
Bring: Comfortable clothes A water bottle A yoga mat, blanket, and pillow if we’re not providing them Anything that helps you feel safe and relaxed (eye pillow, journal, scarf) Mostly — bring yourself. However you’re arriving is enough.
