Flourishing Life Counselling – Holistic counselling for a flourishing life

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.

Services

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

Solution-focused Therapy (SFT)

Strengths-Based Approach

Trauma Focused

Walking Therapy (Lilydale Lake)

I can help you with

Abuse

Anxiety/Depression

Grief and Loss

Impact of complex trauma and abuse on identity

Marital and Premarital Counselling

Parenting

Relationship Issues

Stress & Trauma

Transitions

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 of Counselling from the Australian Institute of Family Counselling and a Bachelor of Counselling from the Australian College of Ministries (Sydney College of Divinity). I am a Clinical Member of the Christian Counsellors Association of Australia (CCAA), a Level 3 Member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), and a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), registration number 31815. Additionally, I maintain professional indemnity insurance.

Outside of work, I am a devoted wife and mother of four wonderful children, aged between 13 and 21. 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.

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.

Couples

Relationships are dear to my heart. When working with couples, I help identify challenges through a flexible framework that typically includes joint and individual sessions, followed by tailored couples therapy. My approach integrates evidence-based modalities, notably Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) and the Gottman Method. EFCT strengthens emotional bonds by transforming negative interaction patterns, while the Gottman Method uses research-based interventions to improve communication, intimacy, and conflict resolution. By combining these approaches, I help couples restore connection and strengthen their relationship. I have completed Level 1 Gottman training and an EFCT externship and core skills training, equipping me to guide couples toward deeper relational connection. Please see the Couple’s FAQ for more information.

Fees

Counselling sessions are a standard 60 mins

Face to face and Telehealth is available

Individual Counselling

$165 per session
$110 per session (Pensioner & Health Care Card Holders)

Couples Counselling

$190 per session ($285 Initial Consultation)
$150 per session (Pensioner & Health Care Card Holders | $225 Initial Consultation)

All fees are GST inclusive.

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

Address:
1/111 Main Street, Lilydale
Victoria 3140

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

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

Hear from my clients

Discover how compassionate counselling has transformed lives—read the inspiring stories of those who’ve experienced healing and growth

I cannot express enough gratitude for the support and guidance I receive from Heidi at Flourishing Life Counselling. Since my initial session, I felt heard, understood, and valued. Her compassionate approach and authentic care helped me (and continues to help me) navigate through some of the most challenging times in my life. Heidi provides a safe space where I openly share my thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. This care and guidance extended to couples counselling, where Heidi was able to build separate individual relationships to facilitate an in-depth understanding of our relationship. Couple sessions have been tailored to what we needed at each given time, adapting to situations as they arrive while maintaining focus on the bigger picture. I truly believe my work with Heidi continues to give me such great insight into my own emotions, allowing me to feel empowered and supported through life changes. Heidi has a wonderful ability to balance empathetic listening, professional advice, and encouragement without feeling like I am overwhelmed or untrue to myself. I am forever grateful for her unwavering support and would highly recommend her services to anyone seeking a compassionate and skilled therapist.

~ Justine C

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

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 was my safe space, and I have never had a counsellor who was as kind, gentle and authentic in her approach to counselling and life. I could tell from the moment I met her that something was different. She showed warmth, absolute compassion, and empathy for me and my situation. She shared practical ways of working through my situation and encouraged me with my faith to remember God’s truth and God’s unconditional love for me in my situation. She also went above and beyond with her approach and, with permission, of course, checked in on me and sent through useful podcasts and reading material. Heidi also offered prayer as part of her service, and that really resonated with me. Not only would she listen to me and gently guide me in my healing journey, but she showed compassion to sit and pray with me, recognising that we humans don’t have all the answers. For the first time, I’ve walked away from counselling feeling better than when I started, and I’m glad Heidi was my counsellor.

~ Mel K

I always looked forward to my counselling sessions with Heidi. She genuinely listened and understood me, often articulating what I struggled to express and helping me clarify my priorities. I highly recommend scheduling a session with Heidi on your counselling journey; she is truly exceptional.

~ Aimee C

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.