Why Choose Me?

How true are you being to your feelings?

At the Emotional Wellbeing Centre, I offer you a safe non judgemental place to assist you to “get better”, move out of pain, and be more of who you really are. I am a qualified Somatic Psychotherapist and Counsellor, working holistically with you as a whole person. My Masters research (Vic Uni 1999) demonstrated the effectiveness of some of the approaches I offer.

My clients choose me when they feel they “need to do something” about reclaiming their emotional wellbeing in response to issues of overwhelm, pain, stress, depression, anxiety and trauma, grief and loss, pre and post birth support, assistance with relationship issues, self-esteem and pain management. In this I offer you my interest, experience and passionate commitment.

In my private practice of more than 20 years, I offer a psycho education and integrative body-mind approach to healing and well-being for the specific individual issues you bring.

Please complete the contact form and I will call to discuss how my work can support you.

My Work

I work holistically and ethically with a broad range of clients, including clients from the LGBTQI community.

My training and experience in many body-mind oriented healing approaches has demonstrated to me that a somatic and integrative approach enables a better understanding of the underlying “story” and associated symptoms, both consciously and at the non conscious level.

Prior to this, I worked for many years as a nurse and midwife – including supporting birthing families in labour wards and birthing suites. My goal was to empower families and support a safe and positive outcome. Participating in such life changing events, I experienced the reality of how the body, mind and emotions interact. – and how trauma, grief and loss impact the whole body-mind complex.

Responding to parents who had suffered a stillbirth or neonatal death, I led the implementation of new more caring protocols at my workplace. These protocols have become common practice in hospitals today.

I am committed to providing the most current approach to care and support for my clients.

As well, I continue my own growth as a person and as a practitioner by continuing professional development and professional supervision, in compliance with or exceeding the requirements of those professional bodies of which I am a member.

Professional Endorsement:

"I am a trauma informed therapist and supervisor, and work with survivors of complex trauma, and as a supervisor to therapists with an interest in trauma. Sue has a sound knowledge of complex trauma, and has undertaken study and training with many of the leading experts in this field. She continues to update her knowledge and skills with yearly Professional Development, and her own reading in the area. Sue works with complex trauma clients, and has a great ability to establish safety, trust and rapport in the therapeutic relationship. Her skills in empathy and attunement form the basis of her work. Her specialised understanding of complex trauma and her understanding of how trauma affects the body are features of what Sue brings to supervision when discussing her trauma clients. Her work with trauma clients is sensitive, somatically focused, and effective in bringing about healing and integration. She is reflective and open in supervision, and keen to grow her understanding as new knowledge becomes available. I have no hesitation in recommending her for complex trauma work."

R H. Registered Supervisor AHPRA

Professional Associations:

Psychotherapist and Counsellors Federation of Australia (PACFA), Reg No: 21435

Australian Somatic Psychotherapy Association (ASPA), Reg No 1128

Australian Kinesiology Association (AKA) Reg Adv. Kin Practitioner, Reg No: 1083

Therapeutic Touch Association of Australasia

Victorian Association of Systemic Constellations (VASC)

I receive referrals from and am affiliated with:

PACFA – Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia

VANISH – Providing support to people affected by adoption and donor conception

Blue Knot Foundation – Providing support to adult survivors of childhood trauma and Abuse

Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)

The Trauma Support Directory

Melbourne Centre for Emotionally Focused Therapy (MCEFT)

International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)

ARCvic – Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria

My qualifications include:

Masters in Health Science (Victoria University)

Diploma Contemporary Somatic Psychotherapy (ACCSP)

Clinical Diploma Contemporary Somatic Psychotherapy (ACCSP)

Grad. Dip. in Health Administration (La Trobe)

Cert 4 Workplace Training and Assessment

Certificate of Attainment: Supervision

Cert. Bereavement and Grief Counselling (Monash)

Cert. Nursing. (AHPRA)

Cert. Midwifery (AHPRA)

Therapeutic Touch: Cert. Advanced and Teacher training (Flinders University)

Kinesiology:

Three In One Concepts Advanced Consultant Facilitator and Specialised Trainer
Level 6 Specialist Practitioner Australian Kinesiology Association
Touch for Health 1-4. Instructor and Assessor

Cert. Facial Harmony Practitioner

Medical Benefits Organisations:

I am currently registered for extras rebates from
Medibank,
AHM,
Bupa,
HCF, and
ARHG (encompassing St Luke’s Health, Police Health, GMHBA, Westfund, Emergency Services Health, Phoenix Health, CUA Health, AIA Health, and Teachers Union Health.).

Please note: Psychotherapists do not attract a Medicare rebate.

What our clients say about Emotional Wellbeing Centre

"Sue Dawson has greatly assisted me with issues from my past, which unbeknownst to me, were still affecting my life. I had one session with her where we chatted in depth, followed by a Kinesiology treatment. Throughout this process I felt comfortable, secure and confident. Sue is a proficient, knowledgable and capable practitioner and counselor, and I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking relief with emotional/psychological issues. Sue shows a caring and kind regard for her patients and there is a genuineness about her that is refreshing."

"I highly recommend Sue. Our 6yo son was having difficulties expressing his emotions after some difficulties at school. Sue was very caring, kind, and showed empathy towards our son and what he had been facing. We were very pleased with the results after our first session. And things only improved from there. Thank you Sue for helping our family."

"Over the past year, Sue has made profound differences for me in many areas. On a personal level through mind and body, she adapts our sessions each week accordingly as the journey of day to day life naturally evolves. Her sessions have also expanded to play truly beneficial roles from dealing with physical and chronic pain in the early days right through to her innate ability in playing a key role for my approach to business, with what I would now class as business coaching. I highly recommend Sue and want to thank her too for making a real difference for me."

"We went to see Sue for my teenage daughter who had the longterm habit of picking her fingers quite badly which resulted in sores and calluses. Sue was very gentle and supportive when dealing with my daughter. After the first session, my daughter understood why she picked and was much more aware of herself doing it. She actually didn't pick for a whole week after the first session! A second session was all we needed to help my daughter break the habit. Her fingers are now looking beautiful and she is very proud of herself. I am so glad we went to see Sue, it was definitely worth it!"

Emotional Wellbeing Centre