Bernadette Brown is a clinically registered Family Therapist/Counsellor. With over 30 years experience working in therapeutic, educational and community services settings, Bernadette is motivated by a deep commitment to making a positive difference to the lives of others. Bernadette practices within a context which embraces acceptance, compassion and inner truth.
Contact Bernadette on 0439 376 365 for an initial complimentary 15-minute consultation. Suite 601/89 High Street South, Kew, Victoria 3101 or online Counselling available.
Testimonials:
Thank you Bernadette, for your time, knowledge, skills and generosity in sharing all of these with us. I came in feeling depleted and broken and like we had no other option but to end our marriage and you helped us keep our marriage together and alive which has and will continue to have a huge flow on effect to my happiness (hopefully my husband’s too) and the upbringing our two children. I have noticed that instead of running away from disputes or problems, I and we as a couple address them. This has helped me to reduce a build-up of resentment, that would previously manifest when I wasn’t vocal about my thoughts and feelings. We have also been more in tune with our son’s emotions and actively try to help him process how he is feeling. Bernadette gave us both equal opportunities to address our needs and our individual perspectives throughout the process. I could not fault Bernadette’s skills, ability or knowledge. I am so grateful for her sharing her skills with us to help us as a couple.
Bernadette was a very skillful practitioner, had many tools and strategies, and was able to think on her feet and apply the appropriate tool/intervention at the right time. The sessions exceeded my expectations. We have learned much better ways of communicating with each other. Bernadette was able to navigate through my avoidance strategies in a disarming way. She knew when to push and how much. My goals for therapy were certainly met.
We got very lucky choosing Bernadette from a random google search. She encouraged us to listen to ourselves and each other, held the space for us to find words to express our thoughts, laughed with us, validated the hard stuff, and highlighted the positives. Bernadette had knowledge and insight on all of the issues that we were/are facing individually, as a couple and as parents. Bernadette helped us highlight individual strengths and weaknesses (some that we were not aware of, and others that we just couldn’t articulate) and how they present in our marriage. We are forever indebted and glad we found you when we did. Thank You.
Bernadette helped us truly listen to each other and also provided us with the tools for dialogue outside sessions. Bernadette took the time to understand our personal experiences (family, personal, previous relationships), which helped with short and long-term issues that we were working through. The openness in our communication has been so much better. It’s given us the opportunity to discuss, some previously, difficult topics. Also, the time from conflict to resolution has drastically improved.
Bernadette was such a great help with supporting me and my previous partner with navigating our new path as parents and soul mates. It was difficult and confronting but Bernadette created such a safe space which helped us to have those difficult, much needed and authentic conversations. Thank you Bernadette!
I found Bernadette’s style very engaging. She took charge which really helped me focus and get the most out of our sessions. We have come a long way and still have some way to go but we now have tools, knowledge and understanding to help us continue to move forward – which is what we wanted.
My sessions with Bernadette helped me to focus on the pertinent issues for me. She was a wonderful support as I navigated an incredibly difficult time. I feel much better equipped to face the ongoing challenges in my life having experienced that period of solid guidance with her. I feel more confident in my optimistic outlook for all the challenges ahead.
I found Bernadette very sympathetic and thoughtful. At the same time she was able to provide guidance and a rational third party opinion. Her support and encouragement helped me through some extremely tough times. I think I was able to meet the goals for my counselling. I found it very useful reverting back to these goals throughout my sessions. It was also rewarding to reflecting on my emotional journey and my accomplishments in my last session.
I was in fact very surprised at how much changed, and how quickly goals were reached, within only 6 sessions. Was very satisfied with whole process – felt I achieved goals I wanted, felt a bit “renewed” by the whole experience. Have returned to life with much more energy, and am enjoying life immensely. Would recommend Bernadette to anyone.
Bernadette has an enquiring and comfortable style to her counselling which suited me well. I had no doubt from the outset that I was working with a capable and experienced counsellor. Bernadette’s ability to connect and understand me was authentic and compassionate. We clicked immediately and I felt safe and assured of being in capable hands. Bernadette filled an important need I had during lockdown and at this time in my life. My last session was heartfelt and I will miss Bernadette’s sage advice but she left me knowing the option to return was always there.
From day one I felt very comfortable with Bernadette, she was supportive, warm and welcoming. She created a safe space for me to be able to openly chat about what I was going through. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to achieve with counselling I just knew I needed help and strategies to move past the fear. I couldn’t be more satisfied with how much progress I’ve made since seeing Bernadette, I really didn’t think I would be able to get back to life pre my traumatic event and so I’m very happy with the outcome.
I was very happy with the way Bernadette carried out the sessions, she had a real understanding on how to tackle my deep seeded issues and picked very effective exercises for me to do in our sessions. I often felt the real results in the days after the session and they had a profound effect on me moving forward.
I’m extremely happy the many counselling sessions I had with Bernadette; I’ve got my life back on track and am in such a good head space, and Bernadette has played a big role in this along with the support of my family. I don’t have much else to say but thank you Bernadette, I am very grateful for being referred onto you and I really can’t put in words how much you have helped me.
Bernadette is such a warm, kind, understanding person – I immediately felt at ease with her on our initial phone conversation, and then again when I met her in person for the first time. She has a very special gift in this regard and made me feel heard and understood and free to get a lot of things off my chest.
I was quite amazed by what I was able to achieve in a relatively short period of time with Bernadette’s guidance and help. She is an excellent facilitator and I always felt empowered and totally supported after seeing her. During our last session it was very satisfying to go over the goals we’d set together and to see how far I’d come.
I was super impressed with Bernadette’s skills and knowledge and also by the way she remembered every little detail I told her from session to session. This was very important to me in terms of feeling as though she really cared for me as a person and was very engaged with the whole process. Bernadette gave me a few printouts that were so pertinent and extremely helpful for getting to the bottom of my issues quickly. I also appreciated her researching books that were helpful to me. She is obviously very knowledgeable in her field, but, in my opinion, more importantly, is able to apply that knowledge in a very graceful, wise and caring way; our sessions never felt clinical, which was vital for helping me to open up and to trust Bernadette totally.
I couldn’t have been more satisfied. I’ve seen a few counsellors before over many years and Bernadette is by far the best I’ve seen. I loved the premises and always looked forward to the lovely view. Bernadette offers the perfect balance of letting you speak and speaking herself. I liked that balance and always appreciated her comments and thoughts, which were sensitively timed. She has a natural gift for helping people through difficult times and I will not hesitate to go back to see her next time my life takes a difficult turn. I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone in need of support during challenging times.
Very understanding, and always made me feel very comfortable. Bernadette ensured that my Counselling process was a positive one by being very professional and helping me build strategies to work with some of the hardships in my life. Thank you so much Bernadette. I feel fortunate to have met you.