Hello, I'm Natalie. I have more than 20 years of professional mental health experience in Australia, Vietnam and the U.K. With Vietnamese - Australian heritage and lived experience among diverse communities, my approach has evolved from a cultural lens and inclusive perspective. While my background is working in youth support and education, my interest in perinatal and family wellbeing grew from my own challenging experiences while living overseas. I later trained as a doula to provide care to other parents in this often stressful time of change and transition. The role of a 'doula' strongly resonated because they can offer informational, emotional, and physical support throughout the full spectrum of human experiences, from birth to the end of life.

 

Due to my interest in Buddhist philosophy and Eastern approaches to change, I also trained as a mindfulness educator, which has increased my understanding of the role of self-wisdom and self-compassion in our relationship with pain or suffering. My focus has now expanded to include a wide range of transitions in our personal, social and cultural identities throughout different life stages, because they are so often characterised by anxiety and fear when they could be moments of empowerment and celebration. 

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Most of these events benefit from a whole-of-life approach and understanding. Whether they create or re-activate a cycle of trauma, and how long this might be prolonged, can often depend on whether we are able to build a 'bigger picture' awareness of our emotional journeys over our lifetime. Having the right kind of support can help us to make meaning from our ongoing experiences, and give us greater insight into our wellbeing needs, so that we can work towards making positive changes and adjustments.

 

I would love to hear about your story, please feel free to get in touch for an informal chat on (03) 5910 1103.

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