Sandra Haynes
Grief and Loss Counsellor
Port Stephens, Medowie & Online in Australia
Professional support for loss, bereavement and significant life changes...
One thing we know for
sure is that change is an inevitable part of life. Some changes will be
exciting, planned, and anticipated. Some are natural transitions that allow us
to grow. Others turn our life upside down and alter who we are forever.
Change is often
accompanied grief and a period of intense unsettlement as we try to adjust to
what’s been lost. This grief can affect us emotionally, physically, mentally,
and spiritually. While we have a remarkable capacity to adjust, and grief is a
natural and normal process, it can sometimes place immense demands on our
coping resources.
Grief is also deeply
personal, and because no two people will experience it in the same way, it can
be hard to talk to friends or family who may not fully understand what you’re
going through. This is why counselling can be such a valuable resource.
When
we take a little time out for ourselves, we make space to process our
experience by talking to someone who will understand, listen and be objective,
who can help us develop coping strategies if needed, and gain a fresh
perspective on how we’re seeing things right now.
“Honour the time your heart needs to rebuild its chambers.”
Etheric Echoes
About Me
Hi, my name is
Sandra, and I’m a clinically registered counsellor with fifteen years’
experience in both private practice and not-for-profit organisations.
I believe that everyone
has their own unique story and possesses inherent strengths, as well as a
capacity to grow. Often, they just need to have the opportunity and the support
to do so.
My approach to therapy is
person-centred, collaborative and deeply respectful. I draw on a range of evidence-informed
therapeutic models, tailoring my approach to each person's unique needs.
My primary aim is to create a
confidential, and highly supportive space where you can openly explore your
thoughts, feelings, and experiences, while finding practical, everyday ways to develop
greater self-awareness, strengthen emotional resilience, improve relationships,
or find practical ways to navigate life's challenges.
How I Can Help You
I offer specialised online
counselling support in Australia and face-to-face sessions in Port Stephens,
Medowie, and Soldiers Point for:
- Bereavement and grief counselling: following the death of a loved one or
family member, or the unresolved grief that has been carried for a long
time
- Relationship and separation
support: helping you emotionally
navigate a relationship breakdown and the major life changes that follow.
- Pet loss counselling: honouring and processing the deep
grief of losing a beloved animal.
- Stress, anxiety and depression: creating a supportive space and
help for strengthening emotional resilience
- Lifestyle transitions and change: helping you navigate the
uncertainty of deciding to change something, as well as coping with the
loss of a home or a job.
End-of-Life &
Carer Support
Having worked in a carer
support organisation for several years, I understand the unique challenges
faced by individuals and families caring for someone living with a
life-limiting illness or disability, including dementia. Often carers end up putting their own needs
last and over time, this can have a significant impact on our overall
wellbeing. If you are trying to cope
with the many demands of the caring role, if you are navigating the difficult decision
of transitioning a loved one into aged care, or experiencing the profound grief
that comes at end-of-life stages, I offer a safe space to support you both
practically and emotionally.
Counselling Services & Session Options
Taking that first
step to reaching out for support can feel daunting, but as Martin Luther King
once said, ‘you don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first
step.’
Whether you feel you
need just one or two sessions, or longer-term support, why not call for a chat?
- Online
Counselling & Telehealth (Australia-Wide): Many of my appointments are held
securely in the comfort of your own home by phone, or online via Zoom,
WhatsApp, or FaceTime.
- Face-to-Face Counselling
(Medowie): In-person sessions are available for
clients at the Health Hub in Medowie, NSW.
- Walk and Talk Therapy (Soldiers
Point): Connecting with nature is a proven way to
regulate emotions and lower stress levels. I offer outdoor 'Walk &
Talk' therapy sessions at beautiful Soldiers Point when weather permits.
We walk at your preferred pace and for those with mobility issues or a
personal preference, we can remain comfortably seated overlooking the
shoreline.
- Home Visit Counselling: Mobile home visits are available
throughout the Port Stephens region for individuals who have difficulty
leaving the house or accessing online technology.
- Affordable Counselling Rates: I offer reasonable fees, and
concession discounts are available to ensure support remains accessible.
- Free 15-Minute Discovery Call: I provide a complimentary
15-minute introductory phone call so we can discuss your needs and ensure
we are the right fit for working together.
