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What is Therapy​

Therapy is the process of meeting with a therapist for the purpose of resolving problematic behaviours, beliefs, feelings and related physical symptoms.


Therapy uses an interpersonal relationship to help develop the client’s self-understanding and to make changes in his or her life.

Some key points about therapy:

  • Therapy usually takes place on a one-to-one basis or may be done in group settings.

  • The client is able to choose a therapist and therapy style which is best suited to their particular situation.

  • A therapist and client will normally sit with one another for an hour to discuss the issues which are presented by the client.

  • The therapy process involves a ‘getting to know you’ period just like any new relationship.

  • The therapist and client play an equal role in the therapy process. There is no ‘expert’ in a therapy relationship.

  • The therapist’s intention is to make the therapy process both safe and supportive.

  • Everything that happens in therapy is confidential, except if necessary for your own or another person’s safety is at risk.

What is Clinical Hypnotherapy?

Hypnosis (or hypnotherapy) is a technique designed to induce an altered state of consciousness (a dream-like state with deep relaxation) which results in focussed attention and an enhanced ability to respond to suggestion. Hypnotherapy is used to address and/or challenge problematic beliefs, thoughts and behaviours.

Hypnotherapy has been practised by many cultures in various forms for thousands of years. In popular culture, hypnosis is often portrayed as a mysterious process aimed to control a person, using swirling patterns or a swinging pocket watch. Today, hypnosis is recognised by the scientific community as an effective tool. Like all therapeutic techniques, hypnotherapy is used alongside other therapies and strategies, to effectively treat psychological concerns.

How does hypnosis work?

Hypnosis works by deliberately inducing a relaxed state of awareness. The brain has various levels of consciousness, or awareness, ranging from fully alert to drowsy to fully asleep. Hypnotic states can occur naturally, for example: daydreaming; being absorbed in a pleasant task and losing track of time; and doing a repetitive task, while thinking about something else, and being unable to remember performing the task.

Clinical hypnosis deliberately induces this kind of relaxed state of awareness. Once the mind is in a relaxed state, therapeutic suggestions can be powerful in challenging attitudes, perceptions and behaviours. The way that this occurs is yet to be fully understood. Some theories suggest that hypnosis promotes particular brain wave activity that allows the mind absorb and adopt new ideas, while others suggest that hypnosis accesses the ‘unconscious mind’, which is more open to new ideas than the rational ‘conscious mind’.

Techniques used to deliberately induce this hypnotic state include, but are not limited to: a qualified hypnosis practitioner, hypnosis audiotapes, imaginative techniques, and relaxation techniques.

What is Psychotherapy & Counselling

Psychotherapy is the comprehensive and intentional engagement between therapist and client for the healing, growth or transformation of emotional, physical, relationship, existential and behavioural issues, or of chronic suffering, through well-founded relational processes. The aim of psychotherapy is to support increased awareness and choice, and facilitate the development, maturation, efficacy and well-being of a client.

Psychotherapy involves what is known and what may not be known in personal functioning, usually referred to as “conscious and unconscious factors”. Through a holistic perspective it encompasses the mental, emotional, behavioural, relational, existential and spiritual health of a human being.

A psychotherapist engages with a person or group in a co-created process of deep listening and empathic exploration of experience.  Together they may explore social factors that shape an individual’s life experience, behaviours, and values that shape their understanding of who they are in relation to others, and how they create meaning. Aspects of problem solving are integrated into an affective approach that involves deep structural adjustment of the psyche and encompasses the context of the whole person.

As well as talking, the client can choose from many approaches, including group interaction, art, music, dance, body work, drama, sand play, movement and energy work, and soul work.

Psychotherapy may be short or long term depending on many factors including the modality of psychotherapy, education and experience of the practitioner, level of the clients physiological and psychological disturbance, client choice and the willingness of the client to engage in the process of change.

What is Acupressure

Acupressure is a gentle, yet extremely powerful form of bodywork.

It works with the energy systems of the body, which profoundly affect our physical health, our emotional state, and our spiritual wellbeing. By creating flow and harmony at the energy level, acupressure also brings deep relaxation and healing to our bodies, our emotions and our spirit.


It does all this purely through sensitive, skilled finger pressure at various points on our body.


These points are located along the energy channels, or meridians, and are the same as those used in acupuncture. The finger pressure allows blocked energy to flow, and harmony to return to our body’s energy system. This in turn allows healing of our physical symptoms, and understanding and healing of the related emotions we may have been holding. As balance returns, we usually feel immediate relief of our pain or discomfort, and long term healing is also initiated.

What is Reiki

Chances are that if you’re searching around to see what Reiki is, you’re interested in improving your mental and physical health. 

The word Reiki comes from the Japanese word (Rei) which means “Universal Life” and (Ki) which means “Energy”. Ki, or energy, is the life force that runs through all living things. If our Ki is low, we become out of balance and open ourselves up to dis-ease, illness, stress, anxiety, fatigue, depression, etc

A Reiki session can help support the body to facilitate an environment for healing on all levels – physical, mental, and emotional.  Reiki does not involve physical manipulation; instead it works with the subtle vibrational field that surrounds and penetrates the body. The removal of energetic blockages/imbalances in a person’s energetic field lead to healing in the corresponding part of the physical body. This is achieved by removing blockages from the main energy centres of the body known as the chakras, which correspond to different locations in our physical bodies as well as aspects of our mental, emotional and spiritual selves.

Reiki is great for anyone who has been feeling rundown and no amount of sleep, healthy eating or activity helps. Reiki is not recommended to replace anything prescribed by your healthcare practitioner, but rather be a healthy accompaniment.

What is Iridology

Iridology is based on the study of the iris – the coloured part of the eye – for markings or ‘iris signs’ in order to assess various body systems and physiological or emotional health risks, as well as to reveal overall constitution, healing capacities and personality traits. After the brain, the eyes are the second most complex organ in the human body; the practice of iridology is based on the belief that the dense concentration of nervous tissue in the eye allows the iris to display information about health via connections to the optic nerve and spinal cord.

Undergoing iris analysis is an empowering discovery tool where your accompanying iris photos (taken every session) are able to provide you with a recording of your overall health condition. If you are not currently experiencing the level of health you desire, your iris may hold the key to understanding your health blockages and limitations to unlock your wellness path going forward. While iridology cannot be used to diagnose health conditions, it can reveal tissue integrity and function that to reveal excess or deficiency states in the body and assess your individual health potential.


Iridology is a non-invasive information tool.

While everyone loves to have their irides (plural of iris) read, iridology may particularly benefit clients who are experiencing:

  • History of long term health struggles, with no clear improvements and a history of trying many different treatments with no response

  • Stress, anxiety, chronic or adrenal fatigue

  • Digestive issues including bowel issues and inflammation

  • Recurrent infections, or chronic low immunity

  • Circulatory problems or poor circulation

  • Wanting to know more about their genetic predispositions to disease or their innate health potential and strengths

  • Anyone currently working with a chiropractor, massage therapist or naturopath, to help them know which parts of the body need natural therapies

0414 281 835

 

Sunshine Coast Region

Mobile, Zoom & Telehealth Appointments Available

Travel costs charged, depending upon location.

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©2016 by Leanne Maher

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