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About Bree Rhodes

Counsellor & Psychotherapist

Hello, and welcome to Dreaming Tree Counselling. My name is Bree, and if you are browsing through here chances are that you are interested in finding support while you are going through life's many challenges. By researching this website, you are taking effective action to support your well-being. Congratulate yourself, as this is the first step towards change for what matters most to you in your life. Even though the journey of change can be daunting and filled with uncertainty, I enjoy helping others through this process as insights are realised, new paths are taken, and compassion is found. I encourage you to read below about my practice and experience as a counsellor and therapist before we embark on your journey together.

Bree Rhodes
Counselling and therapy experience

In 2008, I began my career as a counsellor in Brisbane, Queensland in the areas of substance abuse, mental health, and dual diagnosis with individuals of diverse backgrounds.  During my stay in California from 2010 to 2012, I held employment positions as a therapist in a private practice setting, youth substance abuse and anger management counsellor, and mental health therapist and case manager in a medical setting. Currently, I am an educator of higher education Counselling courses at the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP), as well as the senior clinician for the Employee Assistance Provider (EAP) Pure Insights. I am also a registered Clinical counsellor and psychotherapist with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

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Given the eclectic clientele and agencies I have had the privilege of working with over the years, I have extensive experience and knowledge ranging from, but not limited to, grief and loss, abuse and trauma, conflict resolution, and family systems, whilst applying integrated approaches encompassed by a humanistic, person-centered framework. 

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My passion lies with those processes by which individuals seek to better their situations and develop a personal sense of life satisfaction. I believe that compassion, non-judgment, and acceptance serve as the foundation for the therapeutic relationship, and that this is essential for effective change to take place both within, and outside, the context of therapy. Often, people find that things get worse before they get better. My aim is to honour that process as we work towards your goals in a collaborative manner. 

Gherki AIA_edited.jpg
About Little Gherkin
"Gherki"

I found Little Gherkin (or "Gherki" for short) as a 'rescue' puppy in California in 2011. He was originally rescued from a life on the streets, searching through rubbish bins for food to survive at only four months old. He travelled with me all the way to Brisbane in 2012 and early on I knew that his job would be to comfort people and invite a space for healing.

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Sadly, Gherki was laid to rest in June 2022 after seven years of 'employment' as a therapy pet practitioner. He was just shy of 11 years old. Living quite the extraordinary life (fun fact: he is also in the Guinness World Book of Records!), Gherki touched the lives of many. He made appearances at the college I teach at, touching the hearts of both students and admin staff; was the star of a webinar on Animal Assisted Therapy held at the college; was guest star at a comedy show (no joke!); touched the lives of those working in corporate Australia when I was contracted to provide counselling for staff (and to be fair, provided far better support with his wagging tail, kisses, and playful energy!); brought calm and cuddles to thousands of counselling sessions, and was an unconditionally loving constant not just for me, but for the hundreds of people who we met at some of the most challenging times of their lives.

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While I no longer offer Animal Assisted Therapy, his tribute will remain on this site as he was such special co-worker for the majority of my practice as well as healer to so many during his lifetime.

Qualifications

Master of Applied Social Science, Counselling at the Australian College of Applied Psychology



Graduate Diploma, Counselling at the Australian College of Applied Psychology



Bachelor of Arts, Communications at California State University, Fresno



Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) Registration Clinical #22211

Professional Development

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT);

  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT);

  • IMAGO Relationship Therapy (IRT);

  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy Lvl 1;

  • Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT);

  • Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT);

  • Voice Dialogue;

  • Gestalt Sandplay and Sandtray;

  • Schema Therapy;

  • NLP Practitioner;

  • Reiki Master;

  • Theory Driven Treatment Planning and Treatment Focused Clinical Notes with Gary Henderson, MFT #7053;

  • Client-Centered Outcome Oriented Experientially Enhanced Approach to Working with Clients with Sue Hutchinson-Phillips;

  • Nuts and Bolts of Psychiatry with Dr. Basil Bunting;

  • Trauma Focused training through the Australian Center for Post-traumatic Mental Health (Introductory and Advanced);

  • Understanding and Effectively Responding to Clients with Borderline, Antisocial, and Narcissistic Personality Disorders;

  • Dual-diagnosis;

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Depression, Anxiety, and Challenging Presentations;

  • Mental Health Promotion, Prevention of Mental Ill-Health, and Early Intervention;

  • Child Sexual Abuse; 

  • Cultural Awareness and Working with Indigenous clients;

  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender clients;

  • Sex positivity;

  • Pharmacology;

  • Brief Interventions for Substance Use;

  • Motivational Interviewing & Motivational Interviewing for Substance Use;

  • Amphetamine Type Stimulants;

  • Attachment Based Family Therapy;

  • Suicide Prevention and Intervention;

  • Complex trauma;

  • Trauma-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (TFACT);

  • Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse

Publications & Research

Bree Rhodes, “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Be Present, Open Up, and Do What Matters Most”, The Clinical Update [for the California Society for Clinical Social Work], Volume XLIV, Issue 2, September 2012.



Link: "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Be Present, Open Up, and Do What Matters Most," The Clinical Update [for the California Society for Clinical Social Work], Volume XLIV, Issue 2, September 2012



Bree Rhodes, “Expressive arts: The importance of creative self-expression within a therapeutic group setting”, presented at the 23rd Annual Australian Winter School Conference on Alcohol and Other Drugs, June 2010.

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