Community Development
Community Development Advisor for the Dept. of Veterans' Affairs, supporting Vietnam Veterans' project initiatives and local services.
Meet Elizabeth
Relationship & Family Dynamics Expert · Psychotherapist · Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
"My mission is simple: to help people make more peace in every conversation."
About
I help couples and families move past the conflict patterns that drive disengagement and distance — and build the kind of relationships where difficult conversations lead to deeper understanding rather than deeper damage. As a Mediation-qualified Psychotherapist, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, and Accredited Family Business Advisor, I bring relationship science and real-world experience together in every session.
With over 40 years of professional experience, I’ve worked alongside couples, families, executives, and community organisations — teaching people how to communicate with assertiveness, manage stress wisely, and build the relationship intelligence that protects both love and livelihood. I work with clients to strengthen positive relationship habits, navigate difficult conversations with confidence, and create connections built on mutual appreciation, trust, and cooperation.
I engage every client with compassion, collaboration, and accountability — helping you understand yourself better, take more personal responsibility, and respond to others with greater curiosity and kindness.
Background & Experience
Domestic Violence Leadership
Led a domestic violence support service and facilitated innovative regional projects for women and children.
Corporate Counselling
Senior counsellor and consultant in national corporate counselling services.
Professional Mediation
15 years as a professional mediator, assisting diverse businesses and organisations with interpersonal dispute resolution.
Gottman Method Training
Extensively trained with Drs John and Julie Gottman, with further study in treating affairs, trauma, and addiction in relationships.
Family Business Advisory
Accredited Family Business Advisor supporting families navigating the unique dynamics of working and living together.
Personal Resilience
I have lived with incomplete tetraplegia, a complex ‘disability’, for the past 13 years, following the removal of a benign tumour in my spinal cord. ‘Imcomplete’ equates to partial paralysis throughout my body, from my 3rd vertebrae, which means limited muscle control and very limited muscle memory. Moving my body: standing, walking, sitting and even lying down, requires my conscious thought and attention.
In 2012 I was struggling with complex pain and a bunch of weird, apparently unrelated symptoms. I could not have imagined how much my my personal and professional life was about to totally change.
Suddenly diagnosed with a rare type of spinal cord tumor and extensive surgery led to living with complicated paralysis. With extensive rehabilitation and hard work, I re-learned to walk and to manage a body that does not always fully cooperate with my intentions.
‘Dis-ability’ is not an easy description to wear. My personal preference is to describe myself as ‘radically-abled’. Every day I have to solve tricky and tedious problems that most people could not even imagine experiencing.
Whether it’s literally tripping over myself, or thriving while surviving a series of unfortunate events, I love sharing how you can create value from adversity and honour your uniqueness.
We can all gain valuable insights from the inevitable downfalls, bruises, failures, and related scars that are part of our life journey.
Qualifications
- Master Social Science, Counselling
- Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
- BA Social Work
- Nationally Accredited Mediator
- CINERGY® Trained Conflict Coach
- Level 3 Practicum Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy
- EMDR Therapist Level 1
- Collaborative Divorce Relationship Consultant
Publications
"Unhappy Workplaces Are Like Unhappy Marriages: Relationship Research and Workplace Wellness"
Chapter 9 in Practices, Challenges, and Deterrents in Workplace Wellbeing, ed. Banya Barua, IGI Global, 2025, RMIT University & Esse Management Consultants Pty. Ltd., Australia.
Community & Interests
Philanthropy Trustee, Awesome Foundation Adelaide — supporting community micro-grants since 2019.
Public Art Leading public art projects in the local community. Learn more at cheltenhamcemeteryart.org.
Ready to begin?
Let's start the conversation that changes everything.
Whether you’re navigating conflict at home, managing complex family dynamics, or looking to strengthen the relationships that matter most — I’d love to hear what’s brought you here. Take a look at the ways we can work together, or reach out directly to arrange a confidential conversation.
All enquiries are treated with complete confidentiality.