Darcy Watson-Russell (they/them)

Peer Counsellor

Book an Appointment with Darcy

Darcy is available on Monday afternoons and evenings, and Friday afternoons and evenings.

Who do I work with?

Darcy has worked both formally and informally in counselling and peer support with LGBTIQA+ and neurodivergent adults of all ages. They love working with a wide range of people and aim to approach each new therapy relationship with curiosity and openness. Darcy is especially passionate about supporting trans and gender diverse people navigating grief and loss, suicidality, disability and chronic illness, and autism and other experiences of neurodivergence. 

What should you expect in a session?

Darcy believes that everyone is the expert in their own life, and seeks to have collaborative conversations that honour this expertise and centre your needs. They are interested in stories - the stories we tell about ourselves, the stories our communities tell about themselves, the stories that unjust systems tell us about ourselves and the world, and the stories that don't get told at all - and how these stories can help us to understand and connect with our skills, knowledge, values, and hopes.

These values lead them to use a Narrative Therapy approach, while also drawing on Intentional Peer Support, the Alternatives to Suicide model, Disability Justice, and other frameworks and ideas. In a session, this might look like having a supportive chat, exploring big and small questions, mapping ideas and possibilities, doing a creative exercise, or something else. Darcy understands that access needs and capacity can fluctuate, and they aim to meet you wherever you're at on the day.

Who am I?

Darcy is a disabled, neurodivergent, white queer trans person living on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja (Country). When they're not working, Darcy is probably hanging out with their cat while crafting and watching something silly. They also love cooking and fermenting, music, reading, learning about sea creatures, and being in nature. 

 

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Arts in Gender, Sexuality, and Diversity Studies (Honours)

  • Dulwich Centre Narrative Therapy Level One Intensive

  • Dulwich Centre Narrative Therapy Level Two Intensive

  • Alternatives to Suicide (Alt2Su) Conversations Training

  • Master of Counselling

  • Alternate experiences of reality, unusual and unshared beliefs (sometimes called psychosis and delusions).

  • Anxiety.

  • Disability - Chronic pain and fatigue, self-advocacy, discrimination. 

  • Grief and loss - Bereavement including parental death, suicide bereavement, grief related to disability and chronic illness.

  • Intrusive thoughts and rumination.

  • LGBTIQA+ issues - Sexuality, gender, transition/gender affirmation, discrimination.

  • Mood issues - Depression, anger and irritability, extreme mood experiences.

  • Neurodivergence - Sensory processing differences, overwhelm, difficulties with interoception, social differences.

  • Self-harm.

  • Suicidality.

*Darcy's lived experience includes differences in sensory processing, so you may notice them stimming with a fidget toy or some differences in levels of eye contact. Due to chronic pain, they may change position during the session. They are always happy to discuss this further and work together to make sure that everyone's access needs are met as much as possible.

Lived and Living Experience

If what you’re needing support with is not here, please email info@therapyshmerapy.com.au prior to booking with Darcy.

Darcy is open to and experienced in exploring other issues they do not have personal life experience with. They can contact you to chat about if we can support you.