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Soothing Conversations with Chantal

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Australia
Perth, WA
Soothing Conversations with Chantal

I offer a gentle, safe, non-judgemental space where you can heal grief and trauma through art, talking therapy, and spiritual support. Always at your own pace.

When I was at the worst of my grief, I found it so hard to find the words. Luckily, I had an art practice and was able to dive in. When you book a session, you don't have to talk if it's too hard. We can start with doodles, marks on paper, or even traces of colour. Art has that ability to connect us to our emotions and I wouldn't be surprised if you found yourself creating something powerful, even if you have never seen yourself as an artist. The point is not for it to be pretty. It's to express what you cannot say with words. When the time is right, we can then move to more traditional speaking therapy. But also, we can go back and forth, depending on how you feel. One thing I do, which most other counsellors don't, is that I also create an energetic space where you are supported by angels so the whole process feels extra safe. And unlike spiritual counsellors, I have a solid training and undergo regular supervision. And if that wasn't enough, I can bring my aromatherapy knowledge into sessions as I know how powerful scents can be for both healing and bringing memories. You can choose what you like in what I offer. I never push anything on anyone. Gentleness, compassion, and absence of judgment are part of my core values. There are other modalities that I practice that are not listed here so feel free to ask. I am here to walk alongside you.

13/03/2026

As I began writing this, I realised I’ve been circling this topic for years. Some themes don’t leave us. They return, again and again, asking to be met with deeper honesty, new awareness, or a softened gaze.

I am learning that my place in the world is not dependent on an identifying marker. It lives in how I tend to my inner life, how I honour myself and my experiences, and how I remain present with myself rather than trying to make myself understandable to a system that values women narrowly. Belonging, I’m discovering, is not something we need to prove. It is something we practice.

https://open.substack.com/pub/chantalvanderhaeghen/p/the-belonging-i-thought-motherhood?r=2ioah9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

08/03/2026

Our first frangipanis in a few years.

Love watching them open.

Reminding me of the magic of nature and how everything is transitional.

Life. Death. Rebirth.

04/03/2026

Grief is felt. I am feeling it right now as tomorrow is one year since my mother died.

It hurts. My body is aching. My heart has been cracked wide open.

It is initially difficult to comprehend that love changes form, and the spirit remains when you are missing your loved one being physically around.

You can't figure your way out of grief. You can find distractions but they don't last. You can read and nod your head knowingly.

Because grief is felt.

So today I am going to be with it. Light a candle and allow my body to feel.

03/03/2026

Life goes on. People forget. They are in their own worlds. They won't remember. And why should they as they have no reference point?

But you do. You are still in the depths of grief. You are still just holding it together. Feeling the loss and lack of support that was given so freely and willingly in the beginning.

However, you are so overwhelmed with it all that you don't fully register what is going on as there is so much to do. There is no time to take stock of what has just happened - that your loved one has died.

Illogically, you wonder where are they all now? How do you reach out? Would they still be willing to support you and hear your pain? That is still raw and real.

I am also looking back and seeing this was me, too.

As the day gets closer, I am feeling it. More than I expected. I know that sounds bizarre. But that is how it is feeling. No escape. Unless, I was to medicate myself in whatever way to numb this last year - erase it from my consciousness. What it has meant. The other death experienced. And so much more.

There is no going around it. There is no pretending. It is about staying with it, allowing it to pass, feeling the feels, being with what is, and being able to see beauty in those unexpected daily moments.

Like this rose gifted to me at Mum's funeral which recently started to bloom with its gentle sweet scent. 🌹

27/02/2026

Holding space, softly.

Today's Substack post is how a good therapist holds space for you.

I will be having a session with mine as the first year without Mum is next week. A friend is now in the terminal stages of cancer. And I keep thinking of my dear friend who also died last year. There are also all the other losses that come with this.

Grief is far reaching. More than you realise. It feels overwhelming and tumultuous.

I need this for me so I can also be there for my clients. So they, too, feel safe in my space knowing that I understand with my own lived experience.

https://open.substack.com/pub/chantalvanderhaeghen/p/holding-space-softly?r=2ioah9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

23/02/2026

Messy. Disorganised. Fun. This is how creativity can be used to heal.

It opens you up in the most delightful and unexpected ways.

It supports talk and somatic therapy.

It helps you find you.

22/02/2026

What grief doesn’t show you is what comes after the death of a loved one.

The focus is supporting people during the time and just after the death.

When everything calms down, you feel -

- The deep ache and heartache.
- The isolation and loneliness.
- The quiet fear and dread of what lies ahead.
- The neverending stretches of silence.
- The expectation to carry on as though nothing has changed.
- The platitudes.

Then crickets.

The realisation hits that friends and the community are no longer reaching out giving you the sense that your grief is too hard to be around. You are too much.

This is when the grief begins in its totality.

20/02/2026

This is something we don’t talk about is how CPTSD affects all aspects of our lives.

It is beyond devastating. You don’t know how you will pull through or even if you will.

The darkness you are in is real. The desire not to live is real.

But something keeps you going. Keeps you wanting more from your life.

Moments of light appear and then disappear but it was there. More moments appear.

It is an arduous journey. Not linear. And one day you feel different. It stays with you.

You feel alive.

This post is part of my story.
https://open.substack.com/pub/chantalvanderhaeghen/p/into-the-light-reclaiming-myself?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

19/02/2026

No matter how you are feeling and what is happening in your life, there are moments of joy to be seen and felt.

Once I understood this, I found it supportive in my darkest days of grief and trauma.

It brought a small smile to my face for a few moments. Moments of relief and being pain free. Over time this became more and more.

Now it is the other way round. I am able to see moments of joy and beauty all the time.

It has become part of my life and my go-to when I am having an off-kilter day. Or as the first year since my mother’s death comes to a close in a couple of weeks time.

This is a beautiful Marri tree blossom that I noticed as I sat quietly in my art studio. It caught my eye and I wanted to have a closer look at it to appreciate its beauty and role in nature.

18/02/2026

Love and grief are not opposites.

They arise from loving what is impermanent.

They are expressions of the same sacred bond.

Grief is what love looks like when it cannot express itself in the old way anymore.

It teaches us about impermanence. That things change all the time. No matter how much we don't want it to.

Grief shows us this in the most painful way. Yet, it also shows us what deep love means. 🩷

17/02/2026

Walking the path of grief is lonely.

One only you can walk along.

A path that was full of life is now desolate.

Despite everyone experiencing grief.

It is personal. Your own experience.

It is painful and solitary.

Yes, you can see a professional. Sit in groups. Speak to friends.

This gives you support and understanding.

In the end, it are alone in your sadness.

16/02/2026

Rest is sacred ground. However, it is hard to do. 🩷

When we rest, it can mean all the emotions will be felt.

The ones we don't want to know are there.

The ones we want to ignore and avoid when experiencing grief and trauma.

Even if you only rest for five minutes that is a good start. Then build on that.

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Perth, WA
6070

Opening Hours

Tuesday	12pm - 5pm
Wednesday	12pm - 5pm
Thursday	12pm - 5pm
Friday	11am - 5pm
Saturday	11am - 3pm

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Allow your inner self to shine

Be gloriously, beautifully and confidently YOU

What if you no longer had to stand and watch your life go by?

What if you never ever had to feel invisible, unheard or not good enough again?

What if you truly felt like the heroine (and not just an extra) of your life?

Does this sound familiar?

Hello divine woman.

I’m Chantal Vanderhaeghen and I love supporting and showing women like you that no matter what you have come through you can still lead an incredible life full of love, joy and adventure.

Over the years I had often asked myself the above questions. I felt lost and confused until I took the leap over the edge into the unknown and sought out professional help.

What a difference that made in my life. It was a life-changer.

My sense of self changed dramatically with a few tears and meltdowns in amongst it all. But don’t let that put you off.

I now have my holistic toolbox that I love and adore. I have filled it over the years with life experience, my inner knowing, plus meditation, mindfulness, reiki, and tapping. Now it is time to share it with you.

Because who would you be if you had unwavering confidence in yourself?

Let’s find out how we can co-create this for you - this incredible sense of Yourself.

Unfold Your Confidence is for you if you are:

A woman who is feeling lost and confused. Maybe you’ve been through a lot of change – a life-altering experience or the kids have left home or your relationship has changed; whatever it is, you’ve lost your sense of purpose.

A woman who feels like a fraud – because you should be feeling happy. On the surface, you have it all, but deep inside is a different story – something is missing and you can’t figure it out.

A woman who knows that there is more than this. You know longer want to be on the treadmill of doubt, people-pleasing or overwhelmed and controlled by your emotions. You want to wake up looking forward to the day ahead and all the possibilities.

A woman who thinks, “I am confident, but…”. It’s that but. It’s those excuses, those feelings we put aside or buried deep within, keeping your hostage from living fully.

When you feel confident, you accept yourself for who you are and then, your happiness unfolds.

How you can work with me

face to face or online sessions in Confident Living

Online Meditation and Tapping courses

Long-distance Reiki sessions

Meditation and women’s groups

Because I believe in you - unequivocally. My commitment to you is that I hold you lovingly with a dose of straight-talking in a safe space as you unfold and discover how to feel confident as the woman you are meant to be.

And above all, you’ll discover your presence is more than enough.

>> See my services tab on this page for the details of my offerings

Click on this link to have a free 15-minute chat to see if we are a good fit for each other before you commit because it’s important to me that you do. http://bit.ly/2zSLIL5

Looking forward to connecting with you. Chantal

Confidence mentor and Intuitive Guide

M: 0414 386 882

E: chantal@unfoldyourfreedom.com.au