
I am a Dynamic and empathetic professional with over 30 years of experience in the Hairdressing industry, renowned for building strong client relationships and providing exceptional customer service. Adept at actively listening to clients, understanding their needs, and offering personalized solutions, which has cultivated a deep appreciation for emotional well-being.
Transitioning to a counselling role, I bring strong interpersonal and communication skills, a passion for helping others navigate personal challenges, and a commitment to fostering a supportive and trusting environment. Eager to leverage my background in client care and my dedication to mental health advocacy to empower individuals in their journey toward wellness.
Skilled in conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and maintaining confidentiality, I am excited to contribute my unique perspective and compassionate approach to a counselling team.
Client Intake and Assessment
- Conduct initial assessments to understand clients' needs and circumstances.
- Gather relevant information to update the profile for each client.
Support and Advocacy
- Provide emotional support to clients, helping them navigate challenges.
- Advocate on behalf of clients to access resources and services.
Resource Coordination
- Assist clients in accessing community resources, such as housing, financial aid, and counselling services.
- Maintain a comprehensive list of local services and support networks.
Crisis Intervention
- Respond to clients in crisis situations by providing immediate support and guidance.
- Collaborate with other professionals to ensure clients receive appropriate care.
Documentation and Reporting
- Keep accurate records of client interactions and case progress.
- Prepare reports and documentation as required by SVDP.
Community Outreach
- Participate in community events (Hair Aid is mine currently) and initiatives to raise awareness about the services offered.
- Build relationships with local organizations, schools, and businesses to enhance support networks.
Team Collaboration
- Work closely with other volunteers and staff members to provide comprehensive support.
- Attend team meetings and training sessions to stay informed about best practices and organizational updates.
Education and Awareness
- Provide clients with information on their rights and available services.
- Educate families about resources that promote self-sufficiency and resilience.
Follow-Up Support
- Conduct follow-up sessions with clients to assess ongoing needs and ensure continued support.
- Encourage clients to set and achieve personal goals.
Volunteering in this role plays a crucial part in supporting vulnerable individuals and families, helping them to improve their situations and achieve greater independence.
I have been fortunate to have a long and successful Hairdressing career, so transferring skills from this background to counselling is an interesting, ongoing and valuable process, as both professions require strong interpersonal abilities, empathy, and communication Here are some key hairdressing skills that I have transferred and applied in a counselling context:
Active Listening
- Hairdressing: Listening to clients' preferences and concerns about their hair
- Counselling: Actively listening to clients' feelings and issues, allowing them to express themselves fully
Empathy
- Hairdressing: Understanding the emotional impact of a client's appearance and providing reassurance
- Counselling: Demonstrating understanding and compassion towards clients' feelings and experiences
Building Rapport
- Hairdressing: Establishing a trusting relationship with clients to make them comfortable
- Counselling: Creating a safe space for clients to share their thoughts and feelings openly
Problem-Solving
- Hairdressing: Finding solutions to hair-related issues or challenges clients face
- Counselling: Helping clients identify problems and explore potential solutions in their lives
Communication Skills
- Hairdressing: Effectively communicating the process and options available to clients
- Counselling: Clearly expressing ideas and facilitating discussions to help clients understand their situations better
Non-Verbal Communication
- Hairdressing: Reading clients' body language to gauge their satisfaction or discomfort
- Counselling: Being aware of non-verbal cues to better understand clients' emotional states
Stress Management
- Hairdressing: Managing stress in a busy salon environment while remaining calm and composed
- Counselling: Assisting clients in developing strategies to cope with stress and anxiety
Creativity
- Hairdressing: Using creativity to style hair and solve aesthetic and chemical problems
- Counselling: Applying creative techniques (like art therapy or role-playing) to help clients express themselves and explore their feelings
To effectively transfer these skills further I have begun my Diploma of Counselling to acquire the training in counselling methods, ethics, and techniques Practicing active listening and empathy in everyday interactions in my volunteer position at St Vincent De Paul, Inala Family Support Centre has also enhanced these skills, making the transition from Hairdresser to Counsellor easier
Community Service
-Hair Aid
2018- 2024
I am lead volunteer at Inala St Vincent de Paul, trimming up to 15 clients per month to help them feel seen, special and ready for job interviews.
Hair Aid runs Australia wide free community haircut program for vulnerable and homeless friends.
-Philippines Hair Aid Project
We also participate in overseas Hair Aid projects, fully funded by ourselves or our individual Salons.
We teach haircutting skills to women (and men) living in critical poverty, rescued from domestic violence, or rescued from the sex slave industry within the Philippines. My project was in the Quezon City Burangays ie: slums.
The program is designed to teach basic haircuts to women and men, who can then gain employment or start their own micro businesses. After we leave the Students, they practice and provide free community cuts on Sundays organized by team leaders in their areas. It is a fully sustainable way of empowering people in these third world countries to escape abuse and to look after their children.
I was fortunate enough to participate in an Over Seas Hair Aid project in 2023, the first one after Covid, in the Philippines (Quezon City). I personally trained 21 of the 82 graduates to gain this valuable skill and Hair Aid certification to either start a micro business or gain an apprenticeship. The students on our project were living in critical poverty, women rescued from various abusive situations (Pearls Project), inmates of Tahannan Drug Rehabilitation Centre ( male and female) or incarcerated in BJM Prison (males)
I found it to be one of the most challenging experiences of my life, from traveling solo for the first time in my life, to the sights and sounds of slums, laughing at our language barrier but communicating, the phrase 'Mamma Cyn check my haircut please' to the feeling of attending a Hair Aid Graduation in a Philippine Prison.
It was definitely a rewarding experience in many ways. I felt my ability to empower and support women really shone in those moments under extreme training conditions.