Gentle Death Education and Planning (GDEP) is disability- and kink-friendly, an LBGTIQA+ ally, and a safe space.
GDEP offers inclusive and diversity-friendly services and support.
Grief
Grief can come in many forms, including historical, anticipatory, complex, traumatic and disenfranchised.
I have more than three decades of grief therapy experience in four countries.
End of life coping skills and support
A life-limiting or terminal diagnosis can trigger stress, grief and anxiety for you as well in those around you. I help with practical strategies, tips and compassionate understanding.
Individual and small group sessions and workshops offered.
Supervision and mentoring
Psychotherapy services offered to end of life practitioners and workers who need to debrief, process their work with clients, upskill and/or increase their reflexive professional capacities.
Specialist modalities
Art Therapy – available through the NDIS or privately, sessions can be offered online.
Evidence-based EFT – a highly effective and rapid intervention for new and historical trauma and PTSD with over 150 peer-reviewed studies internationally. EFT is available to all clients and mentees.
Helping You Build Resilience and Self-Understanding
End of life and death can be complex times that present challenging emotions and affect our resilience.
I am a grief, loss, PTSD and trauma recovery specialist
What is psychotherapy?
Is psychotherapy the same as counselling?
Yes, these are essentially different titles for the same role. I use ‘psychotherapist’ rather than counsellor because I began my therapy career as a somatic psychotherapist and I offer more than just talking therapy.
How long are your sessions?
90 minutes per session is my standard. All the research shows that an hour is not quite enough for an effective outcome, and two hours is too long – but an hour and a half is the sweet spot.
Do you bulk bill?
No, because I am not a medical doctor or clinical psychologist so I am not on the Medicare register.
Some of the most common questions I get asked – along with answers – to help get you started.
I do most of my psychotherapy work online via video call, so even if you live outside of Australia you can engage me as your therapist.
I just can't get seem to get anywhere with my tiredness and sadness, and sometimes I get angry too - is this normal after a death?
Yes, absolutely. Grief can be complex and affect our moods and ability to function in a way we are used to, so everything you are experiencing and feeling is valid. Anger is a perfectly normal emotion that all humans experience, and anger – like sorrow and tiredness – while grieving is a very normal feeling.
My parent/child/friend just died and I am overwhlemed. Can you help me?
I will do everything I can to help you build healthy self-care patterns and boundaries, and to come to terms with the raw grief you are feeling right now. I work with a comprehensive social, cultural, and personal context that takes into account your own history and a thorough discussion of what you hope to achieve from our sessions together. Each grief is different, and we will find the best solutions for you together.
I am Trans and have a terminal diagnosis - my family does not support me and I don't know what to do. Can you help me?
Yes, you are most welcome here. Gender identity is a cornerstone of a sense of self – and your story and self are safe with me. We can talk about what you would like for your end of life, your own peace of mind, and how to navigate the reality of your own mortality with respect and dignity at every stage. Thank you for trusting me to support you.
My pet is dying and I have been laughed at by several people - will you help me?
Of course I will – let me reassure you that you can tell me all about your pet without fear of ridicule or being humiliated. I love animals, and I do work with both humans and pet death. I have a dog, and understand how far we have to go in society to have pet death and dying treated with dignity and respect. I am here to support you and your pet as you prepare for the best possible quality of life at end of life for your pet. You are always safe talking with me about grief for your pet.
You are an atheist, so this means you only work with secular or atheist people, right?
No. In fact, quite the opposite. I often work with people who are either religious or spiritual in their worldview. This is not a conflict for me because I don’t expect everyone to be like me, and I offer a non-judgemental place for religious and philosophical discussions for my clients if that is what they would like to explore.
In fact, many clients of faith prefer to work with someone like me because I do not have an agenda about what they themselves believe or don’t believe. It is quite common for questions to be raised in a person’s mind when they are at end of life or in grief, and I am a safe space for believers and non-believers alike to ask and consider questions of this kind.
About My Approach
I centre clients in my approach to grief work and psychotherapy, and am quite flexible in adapting the aims of the therapy journey as well as session focus as a client’s needs change over time. My philosophy is also to try and put myself out of business with clients – you should never feel as though you have to see me forever, or even for a long time for our work to be effective. I do prefer to help clients gain tools for their personal toolbelts, and to gain confidence in maintaining their own mental health and wellbeing overall. Therapy for me is something that I return to regularly in life as and when I need support – and I like to bring this approach to my clients as well.
I have a background in allied health, Traditional Chinese Medicine (nutrition and accupressure), counselling and art therapy, somatic psychotherapy and trauma recovery. My areas of specialty grief work include childhood sexual assault (CSA), exposure to violent death and PTSD from military service, domestic violence/abuse, and emergency service work. Evidence-based EFT is a relatively new skillset I bring to my grief work, but as a technique it is so effective that I almost always include EFT in sessions. Once learned EFT can be done by clients on their own, making this a powerful and useful tool for removing emotional attachment to circumstances and building resilience with regular practice.
Grief counselling and EFT may be purchased individually or as part of a bundle – see below – and you can make arrangements for individual or group sessions with close friends and family, as needed and appropriate.
How to Book a Therapy Session
Read about Annetta
A therapist should have similar values to you. If you don’t like your therapist no real gains will be made with your therapy, so do your research.
Read about Annetta here on the site, and if you would like to meet before setting up a full session appointment you can book a free 10 minute phone call.
Book a session
Email Annetta with a brief overview of yourself and let her know which days and times you prefer for your sessions.
Remember to include your time zone!
Annetta is on Hobart/Sydney time and is happy to work with Australian and international clients, but relative time zone adjustments need to be made.
All sessions are 90 minutes long, paid in advance.
Reach your therapy goals
You are in charge of the focus of your sessions, and you determine how often you meet with Annetta.
When you feel you have gained the skills you need, you can end the sessions and resume at any time that suits you.
Annetta is client-centred in her approach to therapy and will check-in regularly with you to ensure your sessions are meeting your needs.
Annetta’s ultimate aim is to see every client resilient and comfortable with a new range of skills for coping with grief and stress.
Individual Psychotherapy Session
One 90 minute session via video call or face-to-face with Annetta.
Note: payments are due in advance.
$165
More Details
For first appointments budget an additional 15 minutes or so in addition to the 90 minutes for your details and therapy goals to be discussed (you can do this briefly in a free 10 minute call if you choose). Price is inclusive of GST and is in Australian dollars.
Payment via direct bank tranfer or PayPal.
Individual Psychotherapy Session – Hardship and student rate
One 90 minute session via video call or face-to-face with Annetta.
Note: payments are due in advance.
$132
More Details
Special discount for full-time students and those experiencing hardship due to COVID or particularly adverse life circumstances.
For first appointments budget an additional 15 minutes or so in addition to the 90 minutes for your details and therapy goals to be discussed (you can do this briefly in a free 10 minute call if you choose). Price is in Australian dollars.
Payment via direct bank tranfer or PayPal.
6 Session Bundle
Regular rate ($165 x 6)
Note: payment is due in full in advance of first session.
Student/Hardship rate ($132 x 6)
Note: payment is due in full in advance of first session.
$990
$792
More Details
For first appointments budget an additional 15 minutes or so in addition to the 90 minutes for your details and therapy goals to be discussed (you can do this briefly in a free 10 minute call if you choose). Price is in Australian dollars.
Payment via direct bank tranfer or PayPal.