Holistic Counselling for
Dancers & Performing Artists
An invitation to step beyond performance and reconnect with yourself.
Building Connection
Being a performer often involves balancing a deep passion for your art with the realities of an industry that can be both rewarding and demanding.
Combining my counselling and meditation therapy qualifications with my background as a classical ballet dancer and teacher allows me to support dancers and performing artists from a place of compassion, authenticity, and deep understanding. Having experienced the highs and lows of performing at an elite level, moving overseas at 16 to study ballet full-time, navigating body image and confidence challenges, and adapting to life following a career-ending injury, I understand many of the unique experiences and pressures faced by dancers and their families.
This understanding informs a counselling approach that recognises both the opportunities and challenges of life in the performing arts, creating a space where you do not need to perform, achieve, or prove yourself, but can instead be met with curiosity, compassion, and acceptance.
To learn more about my story and dance background, visit the About page.
“Jess' expertise as a counsellor is bolstered by her intimate understanding of the dance world, and its unique challenges, informed by her lived experience as a dancer and teacher.
Jess’ counselling practice remains fundamentally separate from dance institutions, meaning dancers can speak freely and privately about their concerns, and work with her to find solutions. This is a particularly rare and important resource for dancers.
Jess offered me much care and guidance during a difficult point in my personal and professional life, and remains a trusted part of my support system.”
— Noah, Professional Dancer, France
“I met Jess when I was 16 and to this day she is part of my life. Over the years, she taught me how to trust myself and to understand all the hard situations we face as dancers.
When I first started ballet I honestly had no idea what I was stepping into and the challenges I faced felt all consuming. Jess was an anchor during those times, she supported me from every angle. Together we navigated the best and worst times. She supported me through the training, the auditions, the jobs, the pandemic, and now all the way in Germany, I know she is always there.
I have never met someone who wholeheartedly believed in me and understood the person I wanted to be. Holistic and genuine, her guidance is irreplaceable. A mentor for life.“
—Dani, Professional Dancer, Germany
”Jessica has been an integral part of my daughters ballet journey for the past seven years. Throughout this time Jessica has supported Emily and been a constant source of encouragement, guidance and solace. She has been Emily's cheerleader, guide, sounding board, and pillar of support, ensuring Emily is always prepared for each challenge and success.
Jessica's empathetic nature and professional expertise have had a profoundly positive impact on Emily and our family. She has created a safe space and trusting environment where Emily feels supported and understood.”
—Lisa, parent
A Place to Feel Understood
The performing arts can offer extraordinary opportunities for growth, creativity, connection, and self-expression. Yet behind the achievements, accolades, and performances, many artists carry pressures that remain unseen.
From perfectionism and self-criticism to injury, burnout, body image concerns, financial uncertainty, and difficult training environments, performers are often expected to push through challenges that would be concerning in almost any other profession. Over time, these experiences can affect mental health, relationships, confidence, identity, and overall wellbeing.
Many dancers and performers spend years adapting to environments where their worth feels tied to achievement, appearance, productivity, or external validation. While discipline and dedication can support artistic growth, they can also make it difficult to recognise personal limits, honour individual needs, or seek support when it is needed most.
Drawing on over 25 years within the dance industry, I understand the unique pressures and systemic challenges performers encounter throughout training and professional life. Over the years, I have worked alongside students and professionals pursuing careers in classical ballet, contemporary dance, commercial dance, musical theatre, classical music, film, and television. This experience allows me to support performers in ways that foster advocacy and agency, not simply resilience, in the face of adversity.
You may be seeking support with:
Leaving dance
Self-worth and identity
Anxiety and overwhelm
Burnout and perfectionism
Chronic Illness and health challenges
Nervous system support
Audition preparation
Relocating interstate and overseas
Abuse within the industry
Injury and recovery
Overworking and Overperforming
People pleasing and boundary setting
My Approach
My approach to counselling is holistic and trauma-informed, integrating evidence-based frameworks, neuroscience, and complementary practices to support healing, growth, and self-understanding.
I provide a warm, collaborative, and non-judgmental space where we can explore your experiences together. Working intuitively and at a pace that feels right for you, I support you to deepen self-awareness, strengthen self-worth, and reconnect with your needs, values, and authentic voice. My strengths-based approach recognises you as the expert in your own life and supports your capacity for self-determination.
Alongside traditional counselling approaches, I incorporate embodied practices such as breathwork, somatic techniques, Evidence Based Emotional Freedom Technique (EBEFT) and Process Oriented Psychology. Where appropriate, I also provide accessible psychoeducation, practical resources, and digital handouts to support your wellbeing between sessions.
Rather than focusing solely on symptoms or labels, we work together to better understand your experiences and create meaningful, sustainable change.
Particulars
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Adult Initial Session $250 (1.5hrs)
Adolescent Initial Session $180 (1hr)
Follow-up Sessions $180/hr pro rata
Pro Dancer Rate $150/hr pro rata
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Please note that a limited number of discounted sessions are available for those experiencing financial hardship.
As of April 2026, these appointments are at capacity, however I welcome you to reach out via the contact page to join the waitlist.
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Bookings
Free 15 minute discovery calls are available to all new clients and may be booked online.
All general booking enquires can be made via my contact page.
Format
Telehealth sessions are offered via video link, telephone and text.
Please note that face to face sessions are not available at this time.
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Private Health rebates available from the following funds:
Medibank
AHM Health Insurance
Police Health Fund
Phoenix Health
see-u by HBF (previously CUA)
St Luke's Health
Emergency Services Health
Westfund
Teachers Union Health
GMHBA Health Insurance
AIA Health Insurance
Mildura Health
Teachers Health
Nurses & Midwives Health
Unihealth
Please contact your health fund to confirm limits and inclusions relative to your level of cover.
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Australian Counselling Association (Lv 2)
International Association for Dance Medicine & Science
International Institute for Complimentary Therapists
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Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (current)
Master of Biomedical Meditation Therapy and Allied Health (2022)
Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) (2026)
Associate Degree, Fine Arts, Dance (2006)
Diploma of Counselling (2016)
Internal Family Systems Immersion (IFS, 2024)
Clinical EFT Practitioner Training (EBEFT, 2023)
Classical Dance Australia Teacher Training (CDA, 2019)
Certified Holistic Health CoachTraining (Integrative Nutrition, 2012)
Advanced Royal Academy of Dance and Solo Seal (RAD, 1998)
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Frameworks:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS, Dr Richard Schwartz)
Process Orientated Psychology (Process Work)
Somatic Experiencing (Dr Peter Levine)
Practices:
Evidence Based EFT (Dr Peta Stapleton)
Mindful Self-Compassion (Dr Kristen Neff)
MARS, Secure Relating (Sue Marriott LCSW and Dr Ann Kelley)
Meditation + Restorative Yoga (BKS Iyengar Lineage)
Whole-food Nutrition (Integrative Nutrition)
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Please visit my policies page to find information relating to privacy, payment terms and cancellations.
All Welcome
Neuroaffirming Care | BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ Safe Space
Every person's circumstances, experiences, and reasons for seeking support are unique. Some individuals may be looking for support with their mental health and wellbeing, while others are navigating challenges related to training, performance, relationships, identity, career transitions, injury, or life beyond the performing arts.
I welcome individuals from all walks of life, with diverse experiences, bodies, and identities. This includes recognising the ways that systemic barriers and discrimination can shape the lived realities of BIPOC communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people living with disabilities, and neurodivergent people within the performing arts.
My aim is to provide a space where your experiences, identity, body, and needs are respected and affirmed.
Outcomes
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While every person's journey is unique, counselling often supports a deeper understanding of yourself, your experiences, and what matters most to you. Some of the changes clients commonly notice include:
Reduced stress and performance-related pressure
Greater emotional awareness
Improved self-worth and confidence
Less perfectionism and self-criticism
Increased self-compassion
More balanced relationships
Healthier boundaries
Increased resilience and adaptability
Greater nervous system awareness and capacity for regulation
A stronger sense of identity beyond achievement and performance
Greater clarity, purpose, and direction
Feeling more grounded and connected
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Company Contracts:
Paris Opera Ballet
Bayerisches Staatsballett
Leipzig Ballet
English National Ballet
Dutch National Ballet
Dutch National Junior Company
Queensland Ballet
Royal New Zealand Ballet
Ballet Nice Méditerrannée
School Placements:
Royal Ballet School
John Cranko Schule
Princess Grace Academy
Dutch National Ballet Academy
European School of Ballet
The School of the Hamburg Ballet
Vienna Opera Ballet Academy
Ballettschule Theatre Basel
English National Ballet School
The Australian Ballet School
Queensland Ballet Academy
Queensland University of Technology
WA Academy of Performing Arts
New Zealand School of Dance
Elmhurst Ballet School
Alberta Ballet School
Royal Winnipeg Ballet School
Huston Ballet Academy
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Supporting clients when they choose to transition away from dance is an honour. Former clients have gone on to peruse careers in:
Law
Nutrition
Counselling
Psychology
Visual Arts
Nursing
Dentistry
Teaching
Personal Training
Diving
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Prix de Lausanne—
Prize winner
Finalists
Semi-Finalists
Sydney Eisteddfod—
Senior Ballet Scholarship, winner
Junior Ballet Scholarship, Artistry Award
Youth America Grand Prix—
Senior Grand Prix
Senior Classical, winner
Junior Classical, winner
Contemporary, prize winners
Top 12 Finalists
Scholarships
Alanna Haines Awards—
Senior, winner
Junior, winner
Audience Choice Award
Scholarships
Finalists and Semi-Finalists
RAD Geneé Awards—
Silver medalist
Finalists and Semi-Finalists
RAD Advanced I Bursary—
Finalists
RAD Jacqueline Moreland Awards—
Prize winners and finalists (all levels)
ABS Scholarships
Audience Choice Awards
Sunshine Coast Repertoire—
Junior, winners
Intermediate, winners and runner-up
BPAC Scholarship—
Classical, prize winners and finalists
Contemporary, prize winners and finalists
Australian Ballet School Scholarships
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Book Your Free 15-minute Call
I understand that taking the first step towards receiving support can be challenging. Before deciding what is right for you, it's important to feel comfortable and connected with your counsellor. Please feel free to speak with me; I welcome your questions and am here to discuss how I may support you.