Heidi Rickard
Counsellor

Welcome

I am so glad you're here. My mission is to provide a safe, compassionate space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare and counselling, I am dedicated to supporting you on your journey toward hope, healing, and personal growth.

Whether you're seeking individual counselling, couples therapy, or just someone to talk to, I am here to walk with you every step of the way. My holistic, person-centred approach ensures that I consider all aspects of what makes you unique, valuing your story and experiences.

Feel free to explore my website to learn more about my services, approach, and values. If you have any questions or are ready to take the next step, please don't hesitate to reach out. I look forward to being a part of your journey.

Approaches I take

Attachment-based

Christian Counselling

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Compassion Focused

Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)

Existential

Family Systems Therapy (FST)

Gottman Method

Integrative

Narrative Therapy

Positive Psychology (PP)

Solution-focused Therapy (SFT)

Strengths-Based Approach

Trauma Focused

Walking Therapy (Lilydale Lake)

I can help you with

Abuse

Anxiety/Depression

Marital and Premarital Counselling

Grief and Loss

Impact of complex trauma and abuse on identity

Parenting

Relationship Issues

Stress & Trauma

Transitions

Services

About Me

I am an experienced, fully licensed counsellor dedicated to supporting my clients and helping them find hope. With over 20 years in various healthcare roles, including nursing, I have gained valuable life experience that enriches my counselling practice. I hold a Diploma in Counselling from the Australian Institute of Family Counselling and a Bachelor of Counselling from the Australian College of Ministries (The Sydney College of Divinity). I am registered with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Christian Counsellor’s Association Australia (CCAA) and hold professional indemnity insurance.

Outside of work, I am a devoted wife and mother of four wonderful children, aged between 12 and 20. I enjoy reading, walking, scrapbooking, card-making, anything Jane Austen, and spending time with family and friends. I love music and especially enjoy watching school concerts featuring my beautiful children playing the piano and violin.

My approach to Counselling

I am passionate about all aspects of counselling and believe in taking a holistic, person-centred approach. My faith inspires me to provide compassionate care that considers every aspect of what makes us human. I genuinely believe that every life has meaning and that each person is valuable. I enjoy delving into each person’s story, understanding how they are part of a family, culture, and environment that has shaped them and given them meaning. This perspective allows me to see each person as someone seeking to make deep connections with others and sometimes needing to work through their story to understand their present situation.
My approach to therapy is centred around building trust with my client. My therapeutic style is empathetic, collaborative, and integrative. I allow my clients to lead their therapy journey, and I consider it an honour to walk with them. I use careful listening and respectful curiosity, offering insights or reflections when helpful. While my interactions are warm and gentle, I am also willing to gently challenge when necessary, understanding that sometimes venturing into the uncomfortable is essential for growth. I am here to help empower clients to set and achieve their goals, enhance their well-being, and make lasting, meaningful changes that lead to a more fulfilling life.

Couples

Relationships are dear to my heart. I work with couples to help them identify their issues. We often begin with joint sessions and then engage in individual sessions, but this framework is flexible depending on the couple’s needs. Together, we formulate a plan going forward. I use an eclectic mix of modalities, incorporating evidence-based theories such as Emotion-Focused Therapy and The Gottman Method, to identify difficulties and help couples restore a secure emotional bond. This approach results in improved communication and a stronger attachment moving forward.

Values

I am a Christian, which informs my worldview. I enjoy engaging with clients from various backgrounds, faiths, and worldviews. If you have any questions about my values or belief systems, I am very comfortable discussing them with you.

Fees

Counselling sessions are a standard 60 mins

Face to face and Telehealth is available

$160 Individual and Couples sessions

$100 Pensioners and Health Care Card holders

NDIS clients welcome (Plan-managed and Self-Managed participants only)

Integrating a variety of modalities provides the flexibility to uniquely tailor counselling sessions to the client’s needs and personality

Location

Flourishing Life Counselling is located upstairs, next door to Jellis Craig real estate agency

Address:
1/111 Main Street, Lilydale
Victoria 3140

Phone: 0493 190 797
Email: heidi@flourishinglifecounselling.com.au

Testimonials

I offer this testimonial without duress and without hesitation.
My first meeting with Heidi was in mid June 2024 - it was a mild day and, as we chatted under the winter sunshine, I genuinely felt an instant sense of trust and of someone who cares about people.
In our first session a rapport was established that I have truly valued. This has created the foundation that has allowed me to explore some of my deepest and messiest issues with an honesty and understanding I've truly not experienced before. (Having engaged the services of counsellors, therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists in the past, over a period of around 25 years, I had come to be a bit disillusioned; Heidi has restored my faith and trust, and led me to some realisations that continue to provide the healing and reality check counselling should).
In short: trust, care, rapport, honesty, understanding, healing. Thank you.

~ Adam F

I have been seeing Heidi for a few months now and have always found her kind, compassionate manner refreshing. I feel I can discuss my problems with ease and always leave the session feeling relaxed and peaceful. Thank you Heidi.

~ Margaret L

Heidi is a skilled active listener who conscientiously shares her insights which come from a balanced, educated and empathetic perspective. Therapeutic conversation is easy with her open, modest and warm-hearted disposition.

~ Adele I

Enquiries

Thank you for reaching out to me.

I appreciate your interest in my counselling services and want you to know that I'm here to support you on your journey.

Your enquiry is important to me, and I will respond as soon as possible to provide the information or guidance you need.

Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, I am committed to offering compassionate and professional care tailored to your unique needs.

I look forward to connecting with you soon.