A bit more about Thea Baker Wellbeing

A bit more about Thea Baker Wellbeing

There have been so many new people connecting with our work at Thea Baker Wellbeing (TBW for short) that I thought I should revisit the ethos behind, and crazy-brilliant evolution of the practice.  TBW was very much created to be a baby private practice, that I always thought was going to be a ‘one-person-band’ kind of practice.  Just me, doing my thing.  I had no intention of it growing into a multi-therapist practice, so things have very definitely changed over the last few years!

And I’m so thrilled that it has because now we are able to support more people navigate their trauma, attachment wounds and other life challenges.  Each of the therapists that work at TBW share the same ethos and approach to client-care, our collaborative and client-led approach, and we all work from a bottom-up, trauma-informed approach to our therapy. So, here’s a bit about me and how the practice has evolved over time, and I’ll share some more insights from all the other therapists at TBW throughout the week.

I am a Clinical Counsellor and body-based (somatic) Psychotherapist with special interests in all aspects of women’s health, trauma (PTSD, C-PTSD) and couples / relationship therapy.  I work collaboratively with my clients to find a pace of healing and recovery.  I am in it for the long-haul and don’t give up easily.  I am not the kind of therapist that is ok with “feeling better” if better is still a long way off being truly well.  And that’s why I feel such an affinity with the word ‘wellbeing’.  Wellbeing is about so much more than the absence of disease or illness.  It’s multidimensional mix of getting your physical, mental, emotional and social health in balance.

I am a noisy advocate about mental health being a part of whole-person health – I believe that we have somehow got into a place where we see physical health in terms of strength and fitness whilst mental health is view through a lens of stigma, dysfunction, and illness.  I work tirelessly to address this imbalance.  I’ve had an interesting journey to get to this moment place, including about seven years in the corporate world as a Human Resource Business Partner and later a specialist Personal Trainer and Women’s Health Coach working with women at all ages and stages of life.  This is where I really learned about the profoundly simple connection between our physical and mental state of health.  Now I combine that knowledge of anatomy and physiology with my research and learning around how trauma is stored in the body using all sorts of creative approaches to therapy.  I’m partway through a PhD at Deakin University exploring a trauma and violence-informed cardio-boxing program for women who have experienced intimate partner violence.

I relish in what many therapists see as ‘complex’ – trauma, attachment wounds, adjustment issues and relationship challenges.  When clients have been told they are “too difficult” I believe that a fresh pair of eyes, with a broader perspective and a good dollop of collaboration with other specialists is in order – whether that’s physiatrists, GPs, dieticians, nutritionists, naturopaths, integrative medicine practitioners or bodyworkers – I am a huge fan of working with others to bring about whole-person wellbeing.

TBW is grounded in some very clearly defined values which are woven throughout all aspects of the way we work at the practice:

• Authenticity: I am utterly real in my action and interactions. I will show up in all of my me-ness and encourage you to show up in all of your you-ness.
• Curiosity: I am endlessly curious. About my clients, my practice, my learning.  I love asking questions, carefully considering what I need to know and the best way of asking it of you.
• Integrity: I am honest in my work and practice. I own my mistakes and work hard to make amends. I work from a foundation of mutual trust.
• Openness & respect: I don’t hide my thoughts and feelings. I respectfully share my insights and will always work respectfully with your needs and boundaries.

If you would like some support with wherever you are at, some of our team of therapists at Thea Baker Wellbeing have IMMEDIATE availability – please reach out to us at: hello@theabaker.com.au / 03 9077 8194.