My name is Kelly, and grief has knocked on my door many times throughout my life. Around 18 months of age, my grandparents were both tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident. Then, in my early 20s, I lost my mother to suicide. Her death stopped me in my tracks! It was like I was placed in a washing machine, turned upside down and inside out.
Back in the mid-1990s, suicide and the grief that follows were rarely spoken about. It was a taboo subject, and honestly, it still is. I felt the weight of stigma, social disconnect, and deep isolation. In those painful years, I evaluated and re-evaluated everything in my life. I made a promise to my mum that when it is my turn to die, I would do so happy, having led a fulfilling, purposeful, and contented life. I hoped that mum could see the world through my eyes, and we have had many adventures together since.
Grief has become my teacher.
Over time, I experienced post-traumatic growth firsthand. I met others impacted by suicide, and I saw both our shared experiences and our differences. This connection inspired my passion for learning and led me to found the Redlands Suicide Bereavement Group. I held onto hope that one day people could speak openly about suicide and its impact, just like they talk about cancer or divorce.
I have always believed that no one should have to grieve alone. This belief, combined with my own lived experiences—including divorce, family estrangement, and caring for a child with a disability—has deepened my understanding of the many faces of loss and grief therapy.
Over the past three decades, I have built a career working with individuals, families, and communities. I have seen grief in its many forms and have learned two universal truths: tears are all the same color, and they speak the same language, regardless of race and culture.
Eventually, I surrendered to what I can only describe as the quiet whispers of the universe. I felt pulled and nudged into my purpose. This calling led me to create Grief Guardians; a soul-led business devoted to providing grief support and bereavement counseling for others navigating sorrow, with compassion, integrity, and deep empathy.
I became a student of the following qualifications:
Masters Education:
- Griffith University: Masters of Social Work
- Gestalt Therapy Brisbane: Masters of Gestalt Psychotherapy
Post Graduate Education:
- Columbia University Centre for Complicated Grief: Practice Focused Training in Complicated Grief Therapy
- Sophia College: Graduate Cert in Artistic Therapies
Diploma Education:
- Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors: Diploma of Professional Counselling
- Bremer TAFE: Diploma of Community Development
- Bremer TAFE: Diploma of Human Services
Certification:
- Udemy: Accredited Death Doula Certificate
- Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE: Community Services Practice Certificate
- Youth Sector Training Council: Youth Work Certificate
- Motivational Interviewing Certificate
- Livingworks: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Certificate
- Mental Health First Aid Certificate
- Seasons for Growth: Teenage Program Certificate
- Alternatives to Violence Program Certificate
- Help Increase the Peace Program Certificate
- Reiki Level 1&II Certificate
(there is so much to learn, may it continue)
Previous Employment:
- Queensland Health: Adult Community Mental Health
- Healthscope: Pinerivers Private Hospital
- Headspace National: Graduate Program
- Uniting Care: StandBy - Support After Suicide
- Mind Australia: Gailes Community Care Unit
- Aftercare: Floresco Mental Health Service
- Wesley Mission: Youth Support Coordinator Program & Futures in Focus Housing and Employment Program
- BABI Youth Services
- Anglicare: In-SYNC Youth Service
Founder:
- Grief Guardians
- Redlands Suicide Bereavement Group
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Association of Social Workers
