Solace Therapy

10/12/2025

It would be laughable if the impact of this article wouldn’t be so detrimental.

I’m deeply confused about how this even got the green tick to be published when it is very clearly not grounded in evidence itself. It’s an opinion piece.

If therapy, any kind according to this article, didn’t work then there would be no courses offered at universities and tafes. There would be no accrediting bodies. Organisations, companies, schools, communities, departments and so on would not seek advice from allied health professionals or invite them to educate their staff. We certainly wouldn’t have had a royal commission into mental health.

If NDIS therapies “don’t work” for participants, that would also mean that they don’t work for private clients either.

We are placing money over children’s wellbeing and it is deeply saddening as someone who works in the space, but also just as a human.

Despite the hundreds and thousands of peer reviewed literature readily available that counteracts this article, there is also clinical observation and feedback from children, families and schools that indicate that yes, children who access therapy via NDIS or otherwise (though at their own pace) change, grow and evolve.

However, a deep misconception about therapy is that its sole purpose is to drive change. When really, it’s about seeing yourself as a whole. Seeing yourself as a community member, a family member. Feeling seen. Feeling heard. Re writing old stories and processing experiences.

We are not mind mechanics. We are heart people.

18/10/2025

Last week I had the honour of speaking at the Tocumwal ‘Brave not Perfect’ event series

When Stace asked if I’d like to speak at the event, she asked if wanted to speak from a personal or professional lens. I opted for professional, as I am very discerning about the personal disclosures I make to my clients, and still continue to be, but I’m not a ‘blank slate’ therapist.

As I drove over to the event, I was quite nervous. I had a litany of topics ready to go, had practiced a few things here and there throughout the week - but it was difficult to settle.

I listened to Julie’s story, her truth. Something clicked for me. I am very grateful to Julie for this. As I stood in front of a room full women, who had taken the time to purchase a ticket, get themselves ready and show up, brave - not perfect, I decided to share 3 of my truths. It was deeply liberating.

I offered up those truths to reiterate that your therapist, psychologist, counsellor, psychiatrist - whoever it may be, is also human.

I then spoke to a therapeutic modality that I am very passionate about, Internal Family Systems therapy, as well as touching on female rage and anger.

Thank you to WOM and all who attended for allowing me to speak from the heart.

A huge thank you to Stace, as I said on the evening, what you have created and continue to build is so so special and needed in our communities.

Congratulations to the other women who spoke .pelvic.physio and Kim.

Photographer:

(No AI was used to write or edit this, this one’s straight from me to you)

09/09/2025

02/08/2025

Sometimes, “progress” and “healing” actually looks like sitting in a washing machine, going around and around for a time.

Through a healthy and strong therapeutic relationship/rapport, your therapist will help you out out of the cycle. But sometimes, no one has actually sat with you in the machine and gone round and round with you. And until that part feels seen and heard, it’s unlikely that even the most well researched, well planned, evidence based strategy will actually be helpful and sustained.

It’s ok to go over the same things.Therapy is a different space to your other relationships. We hit the balance of giving yourself time to truly process (sometimes going over and over the same things) whilst developing new skills and self understanding.

24/07/2025

Hello Facebook community!

I just had a tidy up of this page. I have been completely oblivious to the fact that a lot of old content from when I was practising as a coach was still completely available and accessible to current and future clients - eep!

Whilst I would never diminish or “hide” that I have worked in a coaching capacity, I wanted to inform that the way I coach versus my work now as a certified practising counsellor and psychotherapist is very different. I am much more selective about personal disclosure, and prefer to decide what is relevant for each client at Solace rather than sharing information online. However, once it is out there - it’s out there!

When I was coaching, this was always on my mind. And it was a big reason that aspect of my career never “took off”. I am so glad that it didn’t. I am so honoured to do what I do within my community, surrounds and nation wide.

So, if you’ve looked back at my content from over the years before or recently, I do hope that it was helpful for you. However, I have now taken it down as continue to embody this new chapter at Solace.

With the most care, Chels 🫶🏻

06/04/2025

A little different to my usual posts but I wanted to share:

Today I attended one of coffee and connect events and met some wonderful women from our area! Despite coming from various industries it was clear that each of us has a similar passion: helping others. Whether that was through nursing, floristry, celebrancy, volunteering or working within the disability sector (and much more as that was just the handful of women I got chatting to!), we all want to bring our skills and passions to our area to uplift and improve the lives of others.

I can’t wait to see what’s in store from Stace and Women of Moira! 🤎

Also, as a therapist I wanted to let you know we’re also human! I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone and attend solo. There was moments I hesitated but knew I had the tools in my toolbox to work WITH nervousness and anxiety. This is what I help my clients with.

I’m also a verbal processor, and given I work for myself at Solace (and have my expansive online network), it was nice to reflect aloud and face-to-face on how far I’ve come, what drives my work and what my “why” is.

02/03/2025

Depression in children and adolescents can look different from depression in adults. It’s not always sadness—it can show up as irritability, withdrawal, or changes in behaviour.

As parents, caregivers, and educators, it’s important to recognise the signs and create space for open, supportive conversations. If a young person seems to be struggling, asking the right questions and offering a non-judgemental presence can make a real difference.

In this post, we explore how depression presents in young people, ways to start conversations, and when to seek further support.