Darcy Watson-Russell (they/them)

Student Counsellor

Darcy is available on Monday afternoons and evenings.

Who do I work with?

Darcy is currently completing a Master of Counselling and has worked formally and informally in peer support with LGBTIQA+ and neurodivergent adults of all ages. They are especially passionate about supporting trans and gender diverse people navigating grief and loss, suicidality, disability and chronic illness, and autism and other forms of neurodivergence.

What should you expect in a session?

Darcy's approach is grounded in Narrative Therapy, while also drawing on Intentional Peer Support, Liberation Psychology, Disability Justice, and other frameworks and ideas. They believe that everyone is the expert in their own life, and they aim to have curious, collaborative conversations that honour your 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.

In a session, this might look like having a supportive chat, mapping ideas and possibilities, doing a creative exercise together, 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 white queer and 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 comedy. 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

  • Master of Counselling (currently completing)

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

  • Anxiety.

  • Depression.

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

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

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

  • 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.