Exploring Creativity Through Artwork
Clare’s Crochet Projects
Exploring Creativity Through Artwork Read More »
artwork
Clare’s Crochet Projects
Exploring Creativity Through Artwork Read More »
1) What is your favourite place on earth?
Anywhere water meets land (beaches, lakes, marshes, bayous). If I can see, hear or smell a body of water, my mind and body immediately relax.
2) What do you feel most passionate about?
Listening to people’s life stories. I’ve never met a single person whose story didn’t move me or make me marvel at how extraordinary humans can be.
3) What makes you laugh the most?
Self-confident and overly-dramatic children. Judgemental cats. Witty dialogue (e.g. Schitt’s Creek, Shrinking, Mythic Quest).
4) What is something you wish you knew more about?
The world we live in – its people, cultures, history, and natural wonders.
5) What is the best compliment you ever received?
Someone told me, “When you die, your gravestone should read, “Here lies Clare Fernando. She was no dumb f**k.”
6) What is your favourite thing about yourself?
I experience things deeply – sometimes dramatically, always analytically. Dizzying joy, crushing despair, and everything in-between – to truly be alive.
7) What is something people would never guess just by looking at you?
I’m a serial creator. I’ve founded three businesses, published a novel, staged a musical, and taught myself to crochet blankets, scarves, and amigurumi.
8) What are you most thankful for?
The people in my life – those who are woven into my journey, and those who passed through at just the right time. In my lowest moments I wonder if I deserve them. In my wiser moments, I know I do.
9) What is the best advice someone gave you?
If you go into battle, you have to be okay with losing. Once fear of failure stops you playing it safe, you’re far more likely to go for it, take risks – and succeed.
10) What would you like people to say about you?
Capable. Kind. Fun.
1) What is your favourite place on earth?
Red Rock, NSW. Get there if you can and do “the float”. It’s magical!
2) What do you feel most passionate about?
Being a cheerleader (in a figurative sense) and encouraging people whether that be to try something new, or have a hard conversation. I am in your corner!
3) What makes you laugh the most?
My son. He’s only 5 and he’s already so clever and funny.
4) What is something you wish you knew more about?
Water colour painting and drawing.
5) What is the best compliment you ever received?
Someone once told me that my aura was pink and explained that this symbolises love, compassion and a deeply nurturing and empathetic personality.
6) What is your favourite thing about yourself?
Gosh, this was a hard one to answer. I’d like to think that I project an air of warmth and kindness.
7) What is something people would never guess just by looking at you?
That I do aerials.
8) What are you most thankful for?
I’m so lucky to have an amazing support network of family and friends.
9) What is the best advice someone gave you?
Own up to your mistakes and take responsibility. It’s better to be up front and own it, than try and lie or hide it.
10) What would you like people to say about you?
That I am a positive person to be around. I want people to walk away from our interactions with their cup a little fuller.
1) What is your favourite place on earth?
Lake Derborance, Switzerland and Home.
2) What do you feel most passionate about?
International Politics.
3) What makes you laugh the most?
Dark humour – Jimmy Carr, Anthony Jeselnik.
4) What is something you wish you knew more about?
Outer space.
5) What is the best compliment you ever received?
Not sure if it’s the best, but the most recent is when a random person walking past me, stopped and told me “I love your look, very nicely put together”.
6) What is your favourite thing about yourself?
My ability to change and adapt in most situations.
7) What is something people would never guess just by looking at you?
I’ve become a cat person.
8) What are you most thankful for?
Family, friends and Durian.
9) What is the best advice someone gave you?
If you enter a negotiation (in life, at work, wherever), you must always understand the best alternative to a negotiated agreement. If you can live with this alternative, then you will not walk away with an agreement that doesn’t suit you. Don’t ever negotiate (or fight) if you are not ready to lose.
10) What would you like people to say about you?
He made me laugh.
1) What is your favourite place on earth?
New York City is my favourite place on earth. I’ve visited 3 times and the pace, ambition and constant buzz make me feel like I can achieve anything.
2) What do you feel most passionate about?
I feel most passionate about health and wellbeing, especially when it comes to nourishing my body and my family with good food and positive habits.
3) What makes you laugh the most?
Nothing makes me laugh more than my 2 daughters being silly and unapologetically themselves. My husband’s sense of humour balances it perfectly and keeps our home fun everyday.
4) What is something you wish you knew more about?
I wish I knew more about different cultures and religion, as I find it fascinating how history, faith and cultures influence us in how we live and think.
5) What is the best compliment you ever received?
Over the years my Dad has always told me he’s proud of me, and its honestly the best compliment I’ve ever received.
6) What is your favourite thing about yourself?
My favourite thing about myself is how deeply I care about the people and responsibilities in my life. When I commit to something, I give it my all.
7) What is something people would never guess just by looking at you?
People would never guess how silly and sarcastic I actually am once I’m comfortable. I might look serious at first, but I love making people laugh.
8) What are you most thankful for?
I’m most thankful for the special people in my life. My husband who is always there for me and my 2 beautiful daughters who are my world.
9) What is the best advice someone gave you?
Someone once told me “Be yourself- everything else will fall into place”. I’ve carried that with me ever since.
10) What would you like people to say about you?
Strong, loving, fun.
1) What is your favourite place on earth?
As cliché as it may sound, anywhere my husband and 2 boys are. Other than that, anywhere that is sunny and hot. Whether it be a tropical island or up the coast of Australia – if the weather is warm, my soul is at peace.
2) What do you feel most passionate about?
Healthy eating – I want my kids and family to grow up in a household full of nourishing foods and flavours. Also, experiences over physical items.
3) What makes you laugh the most?
My husband. He’s been making me laugh since we met 20 years ago and continues to do so to this day.
4) What is something you wish you knew more about?
I wish I knew more about cooking and baking. I love trying new dishes, but have always wanted to expand my skills by attending courses and experimenting with different flavours. I also wish I knew more about ancestry and my cultural background and the people in it.
5) What is the best compliment you ever received?
Someone told me once as they were serving me at a cafe that I had a positive aura about me. She couldn’t explain it, but that I seemed like a kind person.
6) What is your favourite thing about yourself?
I’m a people pleaser. I try to stay positive and happy in any situation, no matter the circumstance. No matter how I’m feeling that morning, I will always put on a smile – everyone deserves to be greeted with happiness!
7) What is something people would never guess just by looking at you?
I’m extremely good at remembering dates – particularly birthdays. If I hear it once, I’ll always remember it without having to refer to a calendar or Facebook.
8) What are you most thankful for?
I’m most thankful for my family – particularly my husband and 2 boys and the family we have created. I’m also thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given whether it be work related or home life.
9) What is the best advice someone gave you?
While it’s always good to ‘save’ money – you must live life to the fullest. Go on that small road trip down the coast with your family! Splurge on that fine dining restaurant you’ve been eying out. Life is short.
10) What would you like people to say about you?
Kind, loyal, and a good mum and wife.
Adolescence can be overwhelming. Teenagers often face emotional intensity, friendship difficulties, academic pressure, identity challenges and anxiety.
This psychology-led group offers a safe, age-appropriate therapeutic space where teens can explore emotions, develop coping skills, and feel less alone.
This group supports teens to:
A$50.00 + GST per group (includes light refreshments)
Days of the week and session times to be finalised shortly.
Running a business brings purpose and independence — but also pressure, responsibility and chronic stress. Many business owners carry everything alone, with little space to process the emotional load.
This group offers a confidential, professional space for business owners to strengthen mental wellbeing, build resilience, and reconnect with life beyond work.
This group supports you to:
A$50.00 + GST per group (includes light refreshments)
Days of the week and session times to be finalised shortly.
Caring for a loved one or client with high needs can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Many carers experience burnout, stress, grief, guilt and isolation while rarely prioritising their own wellbeing.
This psychology-led group provides a safe and validating space for carers to share experiences, process emotions, and learn practical strategies to sustain their mental health.
This group helps carers to:
A$50.00 + GST per group (includes light refreshments)
Runs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Modern life asks a lot of women. Many find themselves juggling work, relationships, caring roles and personal expectations — often placing their own needs last.
This psychology-led group offers a supportive space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most. Together, women explore emotional wellbeing, personal goals, boundaries, identity, and self-worth in a safe and empowering environment.
This group supports you to:
A$50.00 per group (includes light refreshments)
Runs Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is an evidence-based group program for people living with mild-to-moderate dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.
Sessions involve gentle mental stimulation, social interaction and meaningful activities designed to support cognitive functioning, mood, and connection. CST is structured, engaging and facilitated by a psychology-trained therapist with extensive experience in aged care.
CST has been shown to:
A$55.00 + GST per session (includes light refreshments)
Ongoing program groups run on Mondays & Thursdays, 10:00am – 11:00am
Drop in groups run on Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10:00am – 11:00am
Loneliness and disconnection can quietly impact mental health, even when life looks fine from the outside. Many people crave deeper connection but struggle to feel truly seen or understood.
This group provides a gentle, supportive space to build emotional safety, social confidence and authentic human connection.
This group may help you to:
A$50.00 + GST per group (includes light refreshments)
Days of the week and session times to be finalised shortly
Play therapy is a creative approach to encourage children of all ages to articulate what they are thinking, how they feel and what distresses them through their interaction with toys and games designed to help them express and explore what they are thinking and feeling and overcome any psychological blockages to their developmental wellbeing.
Teenagers struggle to pursue independence and autonomy whilst learning emotion and behaviour regulation. Our suite of treatments specifically designed to support teenagers achieve their developmental milestones include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Social Skills Training.
Seniors are vulnerable to mental distress from ageing, increasing health challenges, and changing social dynamics. We offer treatments such as Senior Talk Therapy, Reminiscence Therapy, Grief Counselling, and Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (short video here) to help seniors build psychological resilience, recognise their self-worth, and gain motivation to move happily forward.
Play therapy is a creative approach to encourage children of all ages to articulate what they are thinking, how they feel and what distresses them through their interaction with toys designed to optimise their ability to express and explore what they are thinking and feeling and overcome any psychological blockages to their developmental wellbeing.
Narrative therapy seeks to help you reclaim your life story by separating you from your challenges and problems and recognising their externality. By removing these issues from your own identity and applying your own talents and meaning in life in navigating the way you live your life, you can change, grow and realise your ideal life.
Psychodynamic therapy helps unlock self-awareness and understanding on how your past experiences have shaped your present beliefs, attitudes and behaviour. It identifies your unconscious defence mechanisms born from past experiences and helps you redirect your present and future behaviour to achieve more positive outcomes in your life.