My Story

Sherrie is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and has been working in the field of social work since 2006 practicing in a variety of mental health settings including mental health, child and family trauma, intergenerational trauma, survivors of violent crime, child protection, and domestic violence.  In 2021 Sherrie opened her private practice on the Cassowary Coast, providing counselling and psychotherapy with children, young people and adults. This practice specialises in providing a caring, supportive and professional therapeutic process with clients who have experienced trauma at any time in their lives. The overall focus in the therapy setting is safety and stabilisation, trauma processing and integration of processed material. This is provided in a consultative and inclusive manner with clients and including their family and support network.

Sherrie is experienced in trauma informed cognitive behavioural therapy, expressive therapies including sensorimotor art and play therapy,  sandplay and clayfield. She also provides EMDR therapy for children, young people and adults. Other modalities of therapy include relaxation and mindfulness to support clients to reduce stressors and support emotional regulation. Psychoeducation is provided with all clients to support therapeutic processes. Parents are welcome to attend sessions with children and young people (when appropriate). Ongoing support is provided for parents and carers to engage their child or young person in practicing strategies within the family home. 

Sherrie believes that creativity within ourselves inspires us to move forward towards who and how we strive to be in this world.  As children, this creative awareness comes naturally through play, imagination, human connection and our environment.  Sometimes our awareness can be interrupted during childhood or later in life for many reasons causing us to lose playfulness, joy and hope somewhere along the way.  The wonderful news is our body and brain always remember and with connection and support, we can awaken our inner creative awareness to find new ways to live.

A sincere thankyou to Dr Dan Hughes...
An underpinning guideline in the therapeutic process at Create Within Counselling is attributed to the PACE model of working with all clients, specifically children and young people. The model was developed by clinical psychologist, Dr Dan Hughes, and the approach focuses on building trusting relationships, emotional connections, containment and a sense of security. PACE stands for Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy.