Meet Your Counsellor
Margaret Benoit
Hello, my name is Margaret. I am so glad you are here. I am my happiest in nature. Sitting in the bush by the camp fire or on the balcony of a cruise ship watching the ocean. I love the beach, feeling the sand between my toes and listening to the waves crash. I love discovering new restaurants, reading a good book and spending time with family and friends. I love animals and have two dogs and two cats. I am a Registered Level 2 Counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and Certified Grief Educator, having studied with grief expert David Kessler (grief.com). I have 10 years recent experience supporting both adults and adolescents through their grief in my work with emergency services, schools and youth organisations. Earlier in my career I also cared for patients at end of life as a nurse. My first experience of overwhelming grief was when I lost my friend in High School to suicide and I have lost other friends and family along the way. I am acutely aware of the many losses people with chronic illness face. As a pet owner, I know the pain of losing my beloved pets. I am passionate about mental health and wellbeing, particularly in adolescents. I provide person-centred care with compassion and warmth. My practice welcomes people from all faiths, belief systems, cultures and identities. I honour each person’s unique worldview and provide counselling grounded in respect, dignity and inclusivity. Working with people during life's most difficult moments is both an honour and a privilege. Inviting someone into this space is not easy. I invite you to contact me to arrange a time to chat and see if we are the right fit for each other. I look forward to hearing from you.
Education:
Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling Specialisation)
Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-Registration)
Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety
Safety Checks:
Victorian Working With Children Check (Employee)
National Police Check
Counsellor Ballarat, Victoria
Other Training:
Certified Grief Educator Training (David Kessler - Grief.com)
Funeral Celebrants Course - Celebrants Training College
End of Life Doula Foundation Workshop - Preparing the Way
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Youth Mental Health First Aid
CHCDFV001 Recognise and Respond Appropriately to
Domestic and Family Violence (Lifeline)
Provide First Aid
Child Safety Training
Margaret uses an integrative approach with her clients facing grief and bereavement by drawing upon a number of grief theories to suit the needs of her clients
Grief Theories
I recognise that no single approach suits everyone. I draw from a range of evidence based approaches to suit your needs.
My Approach
In her practice, Margaret also draws upon Person-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT),
Positive Psychology & Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) to suit client needs.
Other Modalities
Healing thrives in community. Join one of our grief groups to share your experiences with others facing bereavement and grief. We also offer workshops and presentations around grief and bereavement.
Workshops & Groups