Maddy Kretschmer
Counsellor, Psychotherapist
Brunswick , Melbourne VIC 3056
Online Therapy Australia-wide
Philosophy & Vision
I approach therapy with deep acceptance and empathy, working collaboratively with individuals to explore their experiences with curiosity and compassion. I consider the influence of broader social contexts and draw from various therapeutic modalities to find the path best suited to each person. I have worked with people of all ages and with diverse backgrounds and identities. I am passionate about working with queer people, spiritual/existential issues, substance use, grief processing, end of life, and sex workers, however I welcome inquiries from all people. My practice is informed by existential, emotion-focused, and humanistic frameworks, with an emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and presence within sessions.
Background
I've had the privilege to work in a diverse range of roles within the public sector, which have influenced my perceptions on mental health and the necessity to consider the impact of social structures on wellbeing. I have worked in the domains of disability, homelessness, family violence, substance use, school wellbeing, and palliative care. Within this experience I have developed a deep compassion for people of all ages and backgrounds, and an understanding of how different intersections of experience can create unique challenges. I've also seen how it is possible for all people to change and grow through adversity to become their authentic selves.
Services
I offer online counselling / psychotherapy sessions Australia-wide. I welcome any inquiries and offer a 15 min free consult, in which we can discuss your needs and see if working together may be a good fit.
Quality Provision
I am registered with ACA and am engaged in ongoing professional development and supervision. I am committed to self-reflective practice and welcome feedback.
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy - 2023 - Cairnmillar Institute
- Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons) - 2015 - University of Adelaide
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Spanish) - 2014 - University of Adelaide
- Certificate in Existential Psychotherapy - 2018 - New School of Existential Psychotherapy
Modalities
ACT - Attachment Theory - Compassion-Focused Therapy - Emotionally Focused Therapy - Existential - Experiential - Focusing - Holistic - Inner Child - Integrative - Interpersonal - Jungian - Motivational Interviewing - Person Centred - Process Oriented - Short-term Psychodynamic - Strengths-Based - Systems Theory - Trauma-Informed
Therapy Approach
The basis of my approach is to cultivate a trusting therapeutic relationship and actively engage emotions throughout session. At your pace, we will explore and strengthen your inner-relationship, also considering social influences on mental health. I acknowledge the power imbalance within the space and value working collaboratively, with an emphasis on trusting the body as a self-organising system.
Professional Associations
- Australian Counselling Association - Level 2
Practice Locations
Brunswick VIC 3056
Appointments
I am available Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, throughout the day and evenings.
Fees & Insurance
I offer a sliding scale from $80 - $160, depending on your financial capacity. I am unable to provide medicare rebates. I offer a free initial consult and also welcome NDIS participants.
Payment Options
Online payment
Contact Maddy
Please contact me to book a 15 minute free initial consult
A conversation with Maddy Kretschmer
-
My interest in the unconscious and existential philosophy gave me early frameworks to understand my experience of being human. I wondered about unconscious and existential impacts on mental health, how others live with our level of consciousness, and how ideas within these fields may support people in navigating life. I became interested in therapy as a space where this could be explored.
As I began working in the community sector, my interests expanded towards society. I learnt about the necessity to consider the social and historical contexts in which we are uniquely embedded, in order to understand mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing. I experienced and witnessed the benefits of therapy, felt it combined many of my different interests, and is a path that requires me to be authentic.
-
- Jungian ideas about the unconscious, exploring the shadow and attending to our inner life.
- Existential concepts - such as the impact of death awareness, our freedom, our agency within choice, and the importance of meaning in life.
- Eugene Gendlin and his belief in the body in as a self-organising system. His framework adapted my approach to be more embodied, with an emphasis on a compassionate and curious relationship with oneself.
- Michel Foucault in considering the genealogy of social structures, critiquing norms, and maintaining awareness of power
- Judith Butler in understanding gender as socially constructed
- Angela Davis in considering intersections of oppression
- Simone Weil in her belief in social justice
I am also becoming more influenced by approaches that consider our relationship with land. -
I am interested in supporting people at any point of their journey - regardless of where someone is at, each aspect of life is rich and an opportunity to become your self. My particular interests include supporting people with substance use, with integrating psychedelic experiences, through life transitions, with inner criticism, with spiritual concerns, and at end of life.
-
My primary method is experiential therapy - actively engaging with emotions and the present moment within each session. This includes focusing-oriented techniques (building awareness of the felt sense in the body, deepening your self-relationship), emotion-focused techniques (such as chair work and understanding layers of emotions) and psychodynamic techniques (exploring the past and interpersonal relationships, understanding our patterns). The method I use is dependent on the person - I adapt my approach to each individual and their pace, and welcome feedback.
-
I think that to even make it to a first session could be accompanied by a sense that progress has been made - it can be daunting to decide to go to therapy and make it there. In therapy, I think that progress is felt as self-awareness and self-compassion begins to grow.
-
Therapy has helped me to integrate different parts of myself, to understand myself better, and to have a more loving relationship with myself.
-
I feel so privileged to hear other's stories, to co-create a space free of judgement, and to collaborate with people in their path towards self-integration and understanding. I am changed by each person I work with.
-
Yass of course
-
Wow this is a huge question. The climate crisis, colonialism and imperialism, the cisheteropatriarchy. People choosing greed, power and violence over collective liberation
-
all about love by belle hooks