Counselling

Since the 1980’s I have been involved in education, healing, personal growth and spiritual awareness working as a teacher, group facilitator, writer and therapist. I have worked in a variety of contexts; schools, universities, tertiary colleges, workshops, the community, social services department ( London) and private practice.

My formal training is in Education, Holistic Counselling, Gestalt Therapy and Homoeopathy, however my most profound learning has come from my own experiences and psycho-spiritual journey.

Gestalt Therapy is an experiential, present-centred and holistic approach to promoting and supporting human growth and soul potential. It aims to make the individual “whole” again by re-integrating disowned parts of the personality. The collaborative relationship between the therapist and the client is a very important foundation for this process.

Gestalt Therapy focuses upon what a person is experiencing right now. It involves opening to that experience and letting it organically unfold with an attitude of receptivity and curiosity rather than judgement or analysis. It helps reconnect a person with their own inner wisdom and helps shine the light on those things which block their capacity to have meaningful, loving and authentic connection with themselves and others.

I liken the process of therapy to that of gently and carefully sanding back wood so that the true grain or essence reveals itself. As a therapist it is very important to me to create a safe and sacred space in which my clients can experience the many layers of themselves.

To support and facilitate this process I draw upon such methodologies as art therapy, creative visualisation, symbol work, empty chair and somatic work.

MARGARET BAILITIS
Phone: (08) 8991 8094
Mobile: 0438 618 393
E-mail: margaretbailtis@hotmail.com

Margaret Bailitis has been actively involved with the personal and spiritual development field since the early 1970s.  For the past 23 years she has been successfully practising as a Psychosynthesis therapist and facilitator of personal growth groups. She has also been lecturing in Holistic Integral Counselling at Nature Care College in St. Leonards for the past 12 years.

To compliment her professional psychotherapy skills, Margaret has also trained in creative art therapy and psychodrama, which she applies in one-on-one counselling and in group work.

Prior to setting up her psychotherapy practice, Margaret spent 15 years as a Paramedical Behavioural Therapist at the Ellard Practice, Northside Clinic in St Leonards.

Her earlier training was as a registered nurse at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney - branching out into community nursing for a number of years.

Margaret is a sculptor by passion with a Buddhist spiritual inquiry which informs her work.  From 2007 she has been travelling monthly to Alice Springs and Central Australia, running workshops and maintaining a private practice. Margaret brings to her clients the richness and compassion of her past professional and personal experiences.

Margaret is a certified clinical member of CAPA and PACFA.  Holding a Diploma in Psychosynthesis, Masters in Applied Science - Social Ecology Dept.  In 1968 graduated as a State Registered Nurse and has undertaken extensive training in Art therapy, psychodrama, mindfulness psychotherapy and meditation training.

Psychosynthesis Therapy was developed by Italian Psychiatrist Roberto Assagioli who was a contemporary of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Assagioli focused his work on healing the parts of ourselves that are in conflict, aiming to bring about harmony and wholeness.  By paying attention to what is happening to us in the present moment we can use the symptoms from mind, body and feelings to discover repeated negative patterns.

Applying gentle creative techniques can bring awareness and healing, using our own inner knowing.  Mind, body, feelings and spirit are fully acknowledged.

At present Margaret is setting up her private practice in Nightcliff in Darwin from February 2010 and is planning to run life development workshops throughout the year.