Rebecca Young

A Bit About Me

Hi, I am Rebecca. I am a proud psychotherapist who takes a naturalistic, holistic and trauma-informed approach to therapy. I believe in truth-telling, art, nature's ability, movement, and free creative expression to propel us on our inward journeys to heal the mind and body, drive social change, and connect us all.

Psychology was in my bones from day-dot before I even knew the word for it. As a child, I was obsessed with observing the world and learning about people and their differences and similarities.

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“Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will.”

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James Stephens

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My burning curiosity urged me to learn the ins and outs of humanity and their stories. To my family's dismay, I had many inquisitive, rapid-fire questions and did not hesitate to ask them...

...What are social rules, and how are they defined? Who makes social rules? What makes people tick? What moves people and why? What connects us? What separates us? What causes conflict, and how do we resolve conflict? What heals us, and what doesn't? In our quest to be unique, why do we also mimic? What are we most afraid of and why? Why are we fearful of differences, and why do we also seek sameness? How are we so vastly different and also the same? ​

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“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when one contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvellous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries to comprehend only a little of this mystery every day.”

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Albert Einstein

I loved and still love the arts in all its poignant forms of self-expression -- theatre, music, visual arts, film, biographies, criminology, memoirs, books and stories that touch on global humanity and diversity. This love has thrust me into education,  the arts, and a degree in psychology, and my passion for understanding the human experience will likely continue to drive me forward as I devote my life to serving my local community in a tiny way. One person at a time. ​

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“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”

―

Edgar Degas

I am a cross-modality therapist who combines psychology, hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, CBT, art therapy, counselling, and more within my therapeutic practice. For 18 years, I have worked and studied in community-led services, childhood education and care, psychotherapy, disability support, counselling, hypnotherapy psychology, and mental health. 

I hold an Undergraduate Certificate in Psychology Certificate (Curtin University) awarded with credits/distinctions. I am currently completing a Bachelor of Psychological Science (second year at Macquarie University). I am Diploma-trained in Children's Services (TAFE NSW --with credits) and carry a Diploma and an Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy (Australian College of Hypnotherapy). I am a self-taught artist and a human, feather, scale, amphibian, and fur mother. I have taken intermittent breaks between study and work to explore other facets that tickle my interest while growing and raising my young family. 

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“Great art picks up where nature ends.”

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Marc Chagal​

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​​I have a background in Childhood Education and Disability Care and support and over 15 years of experience working in professional Early Childhood settings and group Homes and closely with families and children in private homes. I combine all these facets of my background and knowledge (ongoing) within my therapeutic work and incorporate them into a holistic model of individualised mind health. 

See: 🧡 Individual Counselling​ 🧡 Psychotherapy 🧡 CBT 🧡 Hypnotherapy 🧡 Couples or Group Counselling 🧡 Creative Art Therapy 🧡 Psychology  

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I am especially interested in providing support for (but not limited to):

🧡 healing trauma (past, current, childhood, adult children, generational, inter-generational, PTSD, C-PTSD & other emotional grievances

🧡 sexual violence
🧡 intimate partner & family violence
🧡 gender-based violence, inclusion support & advocacy for all
🧡 child abuse, child protection & childhood sexual violence
🧡religious, racial, cultural, gender, identity, LGBTQIA2S+, spiritual, institutional, workplace & systemic violence
🧡 self-discovery, self-love, self-awareness & self-compassion
🧡 couples & relationships, relationship reparation, conflict resolution, secure & harmonious attachment & effective communication
🧡 child & youth support
🧡 parenting/ family guidance & support, repairing complex family dynamics
🧡 behaviour change
🧡 infertility, birthing, pregnancy, postpartum, pregnancy loss, reproductive & birth trauma

🧡anxiety, depression & mood disorders
🧡 stress management, emotional regulation & somatic healing
🧡 grief, loss & relationship/ familial separation or estrangement
🧡empowerment, confidence & motivation.

I founded Shed & Grow on the belief that mental health support services should be accessible and inclusive for everyone in the local community from all walks of life. The way I combine alternative modalities with science-based approaches creates a more holistic practice, bridging the gap between alternative therapies and traditional clinical psychology. My unique creative approach to treatment facilitates an environment where clients can feel held by the openness of space and comfortable being themselves wherever they are at each moment whilst knowing the treatment approaches utilised work and are rigorously cemented in their efficacy. 

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I aim to meet each client emotionally and spiritually where they are, wherever that may be. The cross-modality approaches I utilise can treat most conditions. Research consistently shows the power of the mind to help heal mental, emotional and physical conditions as an adjunct. What the mind has created, it can erase. We know what the mind perceives; it believes. Changing perception changes core beliefs; this can resolve many difficulties, especially when these core beliefs do not serve us well.

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I am passionate about holistic mind health. I value equality, social change, equity, diversity, inclusion and supporting minorities. I am dedicated to everyone, regardless of age, background, gender, economic status, sexual orientation, appearance, religion, beliefs, or how they identify, having a safe space to vent, share their stories, and be heard openly without judgment. I am privileged and honoured to be able to provide empathetic listening and open space to those who most need it.

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"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you".

―

Maya Angelou

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I aim to create and hold an inclusive (completely judgement-free, unassuming, and safe space) for people of all identities, backgrounds, and walks of life. I am proud to support anyone and everyone with their unique needs and experiences. I firmly believe that mind health resources should be available and accessible for everyone!

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Mind Health is not only for the privileged who can afford to pay big money or for those struggling with their mental health. It is for everyone! ​Therapy is not shameful. It is a tool that places you on a path for developing a growth mindset and building inner resources and resilience. Therapy presents the opportunity for self-awareness, personal growth, a deeper insight into yourself, and establishing more harmonious relationships with those around you. ​Therapy benefits everybody!

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Undergoing therapy does not mean you are 'broken' or 'less than'. Therapy helps create equilibrium and gives you tools to balance life's normal ups and downs. I advocate for making my services affordable and available to everyone and spreading awareness and education about quality, evidence-based mind health practices and how to identify them, which is an essential part of my work. ​

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Therapeutic methods that are not proven can hinder rather than help. The last thing I want is for people to fall into the trap of spending thousands of dollars buying into the pop-psychology wellness movement and/ or pseudo-science methods that are harmful, problematic (neither here nor there) or have no evidence or scientific backing behind them.​ There are no shortcuts to quality mind health. No quick-fix solution will cure us of all our woes. Be mindful of anything that sells you this!

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"An obstacle is often a stepping stone" 

―

William Prescott

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Quality mind health will not drain you or your pockets of all resources and energy. It takes time, persistence, and effort; however, in the long term, quality mind health rejuvenates you, keeps adding to your life positively (not taking), and lightens the load you've been carrying.

As we step and walk on this earth, my grounded belief is that we all have an inherent right to live a life that feels authentic, aligned, safe, supported and meaningful. As we embark inwardly, we can become footed in knowing that we can achieve our goals by stepping forward and working through the obstacles holding us back, allowing us to practice self-compassion with greater awareness, understanding and love for ourselves and those we hold close and those who hold us close too. 

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For children, families, parents and parents-to-be...

My thorough one-on-one therapeutic model provides individually tailored support to couples, families and individuals. Starting from fertility, moving into pregnancy, all the way to birthing, post-birth and beyond. Conception and birthing are not only physical processes. What the mind believes the body will follow. Your thoughts and feelings impact your physical body and, ultimately, the conception, birthing process and even your parenting journey thereafter.

Stress, anxiety and fear cause changes in the concentrations of hormones released during conception and birth. Stress hormones can lead to infertility issues and increase tension in the uterine muscles during the birthing process. Stress hormones affect the intensity of pain sensations, and when left to fester, they can disrupt the whole birthing process.  

Cross-modality therapy can eradicate and reduce anxiety, stress, pain sensations, and fear, free your body and mind and induce you into a state of confidence and calm. The tranquil state entered through hypnotherapy promotes the flow and release of relaxing hormones essential in enabling the mind, body and muscles to work harmoniously. Many parents and parents-to-be are astonished by how quickly fear and stress can be shed and restored with contentment and growing confidence. 

My one-on-one therapeutic model allows you to learn individually tailored psychology and psychotherapy-based techniques, self-hypnosis, CBT, art therapy, relaxation techniques and mindfulness tools. Learning psychological evidence-based methods and knowledge through Shed & Grow's offerings allows your mind and body to work in sync, enabling you to easily navigate the inevitable obstacles that arise during your life through conception, the birthing process, and child-rearing. Hypnotherapy provides the opportunity for your baby's conception, birth, and parenting journey ahead to be an experience full of wonder, pleasure, clarity, joy, calm and delight.  ​

Also see: ​🧡 Couples or Group Counselling 🧡 Hypno-fertility 🧡 Families - Parents, Youth & Children 🧡 Hypno-birthing 🧡 Hypnotherapy for Pregnancy 🧡Postpartum & Beyond 

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Even as a professional who studies and works in the psychology and mind health field, I am a far cry from perfect. I have flaws, am human, and make mistakes often –in my professional life (as a student and therapist) and in my personal life (as a partner, parent, friend, daughter, etc.) —sometimes big and sometimes small. 

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"What we don't need in the midst of struggle is shame for being human."

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Brene Brown

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However, I can take accountability and admit fault, and I am committed to professional practice, self-improvement and development, a growth mindset and lifelong continuous unlearning and learning. We all make mistakes even, especially those who study the human mind and behaviour; maybe we just have more insight into the impacts of those mistakes on ourselves and those around us. I undergo personal and professional (supervision) therapy and keep up to date with the latest developments in psychology and mind health, I network with associations for professional development and growth and am an active member of ACA & PACFA. I operate from a researcher’s, evidence-based and duty-of-care mindset, which means I am a giver who is open, flexible and curious in my approach to changing or adapting my ideologies, knowledge base and beliefs when they are unhelpful - there is no evidence to back them, or they have been disproven. 

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“Mistakes are the stepping stone to success”

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John C Maxwell

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When I am not at Shed & Grow holding nurturing space for my clients, you will find me with my nose stuck into a book, deeply and philosophically discussing and pondering life’s biggest unknowns, gardening and caring for our fluffy, amphibian feathery, and scaly creatures at home, knee-deep in a crafting project or dripping in paint after an impulsive artistic explosion has taken over my body, journaling my deepest reflections, writing imaginary and academic worlds of words, operating my art biz, nerding out on psychology, at the beach with my collie for an early morning ocean swim or embarking on barefoot sand and stone wonders. You may even find me, along with my children and partner, sitting around a campfire, nature foraging, immersing ourselves in the earth, Australian bush and sacred natural landscape whilst camping in one of our spectacular national parks, gallivanting outside at local community events, markets, playgrounds, libraries, dog parks or extracurriculars. 

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I look forward to connecting with you!

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Sincerely, 

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Rebecca