For over 20 years I have been helping people to piece their lives together again after devastating life circumstances.

I have an honours degree in Psychology and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy).

Years of working as a Clinical Psychologist means I have expertise in how to help people and know what works!

For most of my professional career I have worked with adults and have focussed on helping them to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

Three and a half years ago my world changed forever. My daughter was taken into hospital and diagnosed with Type One Diabetes (T1D).

I literally knew NOTHING about diabetes before she was diagnosed so had a hefty reality check with the steep learning curve involved in keeping her alive! I spent those early days in a state of shock and bewilderment as I learned a whole new language of basal, bolus and ketones.

I learned what foods contained carbs and how to calculate them. I read, and I researched and I absorbed absolutely everything I could to understand what I could do to manage her condition.

I focused on normalising things for her and making it all seem as normal and do-able as possible so it didn’t feel like such a weight for her. I tried to bring hope and optimism whilst sleep deprived and exhausted.

What I didn’t do (and I should know better!) was give myself any time during all of this to process the impact of it on me and my wellbeing. The loss and adjustment that I was also experiencing whilst trying to support my daughter through her experience. I will forever regret not taking that time back then.

This year I decided to pause and give myself some time for me and my wellbeing. I could feel the relentless load taking its toll and me heading towards burnout.

I chose to invest a little bit of time and attention in me. To manage my mind and body before it started managing me. I can honestly say it’s been life changing and I am so grateful I made that choice.

Since noticing the shifts in myself I have felt drawn to use my lived experience and professional expertise to help other T1D parents to take time for THEIR wellbeing. To prevent or recover from T1D parent burnout. To choose themselves. To make a difference in their lives while they keep making a difference in their children’s lives.