Meet Kimberley: Trauma-Informed Child & Youth Counsellor
Hi, I'm Kimberly, Social Worker -registered with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), and founder of Coastal Edge Youth Services.
I enjoy working with children and adolescents (5-17) presenting with a variety of concerns. My background is working across Non-government Organisations in various roles, including Therapeutic Youth Worker, Case Worker and Adolescent and Family Support Worker.
Counselling:
I am interested in supporting children, adolescents and their caregivers with a range of concerns, including:
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Anxiety
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Depression
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School-related challenges
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Emotional regulation and distress tolerance
Therapeutic Mentoring:
I also offer Therapeutic Mentoring services to support young people out in the community.
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Social Inclusion: Attending activities and exploring new community experiences.
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Life Skills: Cooking healthy meals, organising daily routines, and managing living spaces.
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Real-World Integration: We bridge the gap between clinical therapy and daily life by applying strategies from your child’s Psychologist, OT, or Speech Pathologist in real-world settings.
External Social Work Supervisor:
As a Master of Social Work and AASW-registered I provide a placement environment that blends traditional case management with innovative, nature-based, and sensory-focused modalities.
I incorporate a range of therapeutic models in my practice, including:
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): For practical, immediate relief over intense emotions.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): For self-compassion. This helps children and teens to stop fighting their difficult thoughts and feelings.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): For tangible tools to challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, ultimately fostering greater confidence over their emotional responses.
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Strength-Based, Systems: For helping young people see their strengths and understand how their social, educational, community systems influence their everyday lives.
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Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI): For supporting parents/carers to learn how to respond confidently during high distress moments.
Qualifications
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Bachelor of Education
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Masters of Social Work
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Graduate Certificate of Behavioural Health Counselling
Upskill Training
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
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Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)
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Resending to Risk of Harm, Abuse & Neglect (RAN)
Outside of work you’ll often find me:
🌊Walking by the ocean 🏊♀️Swimming🧩Doing a puzzle ☕Reading a book with a hot chocolate nearby
At Coastal Edge Youth Services, every interaction, every session, and every decision is guided by a strong set of core values. These principles ensure that we provide a safe, effective, and deeply respectful environment where young people can truly thrive. Our core values are T.R.U.S.T.
T= Therapeutic
We believe in the power of professional, skilled support to foster healing, personal growth and lasting positive changes. Our interventions are grounded in evidence-based social work practices and therapeutic principles, designed to equip young people with the tools they need to navigate life's challenges and build a meaningful future.
R = Relationships
Authentic and collaborative relationships are the cornerstone of our work. We priorities building strong connections based on empathy, genuine listening, and mutual respect. We walk alongside young people, fostering a sense of belonging and partnership that empowers them to feel seen, heard, and valued.
U =Understanding
We approach each young person with an open mind and a deep commitment to truly grasp their unique experiences, perspectives, and needs. We strive to understand their world, their strengths, and their challenges without judgment, creating a space where they feel safe to explore their thoughts and feelings openly.
S= Self-Compassion
We encourage and model kindness, acceptance, and understanding towards oneself. We believe that fostering self-compassion is vital for building inner resilience, managing difficult emotions, and developing a healthy relationship with oneself. We support young people in treating themselves with the same care and empathy they would offer a friend.
T= Trauma-Informed
We recognise the widespread and profound impact of trauma on development, behavior, and well-being. Our entire service delivery is built on a trauma-informed framework, ensuring that we priorities physical and psychological safety, build trust, offer choice and collaboration, and empower young people in their healing journey.