All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people/s are welcome at Bee’s Tropical Therapeutic Services Clinic.  Brenda has been working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people for over 20 years both from her place of birth in the Riverland and then Adelaide in South Australia to North Queensland where she has been for nearly 12 years.  She prides herself in the delivery of a culturally appropriate service at all times. 

 

Her work in South Australia was focused on improving the Mental Health of children.  Connections made at the time with the Elders in the community and working side by side with Aboriginal workers assisted with developing rapport with families and then providing therapy to children.  In Townsville Brenda was working in the Adolescent Forensic Mental Health team, for many years, with the predominantly traumatised and disadvantaged young people incarcerated in Cleveland Youth Detention Centre and their families.  Apparent to her at this time was the need for intensive trauma focused therapy for both all age ranges in this.  Prior to advancing to Private Practice, Brenda worked for different teams in Queensland Health including the Homeless Health team, the Kirwan Community team, the Adult Forensic team.  A high percentage of her work was with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people/s.

 

Since transitioning into Private Practice Brenda has worked very hard to get the latest skills to assist people manage trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders.  Her most recent training has been EMDR therapy as a Level 2 practitioner.  This therapy can assist the most traumatised people that are suffering with regular flashbacks, nightmares and dissociative periods.  It is assessed to be a culturally appropriate service as does not require lengthy disclosures about trauma and works more quickly than other therapies.  Other skills utilised include Narrative therapy (re-storying) and DNMS (Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy – Ego State Therapy).  All therapies used teaches clients the skills to manage high levels of distress between sessions while the direct therapy reduces PTSD symptomatology. 

 

Brenda currently sees more adults than children and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people/s from Corrections clients through Connect to Wellbeing, Selectability, NDIS amongst others.  More recently she has clients through the Redress Scheme (for institutionalised childhood abuse) and has registered on the Trauma Support Directory to receive referrals for clients suffering with symptoms of trauma.  Brenda understands the barriers and complexities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people/s in the area impacting on their life choices and as such has compassion for all those presenting to her.   Feedback from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients indicates a great deal of trust and satisfaction with their sessions.