Women's Wellness encompasses physical, mental, social, financial and emotional well-being throughout a woman's life. We recognise the health and wellness challenges that women often experience, but we also know how hard it can often be to find the right information, support and guidance amongst the myriad of information out there, to enable women to feel confident, well informed and empowered with their decision making regarding their precious health and wellness.
Our online resources, workshops, retreats and support groups provide invaluable information and community support details including fun and engaging activities and events to build connection.
Our upcoming events
We invite you to join our newsletter and stay connected
Our Ambassador and Panel Members
The Women's Wellness Hub is delivered in collaboration with the following amazing ambassadors and panel members who provide invaluable services to women in our community. Each of these women have their own personal practices, so you can reach out to them at any time for additional support.
Ambassador - Dr Sharmila Kumar
MBBS (USyd), FRACGP, Dip Derm (Wales), FPA, Cert RANZOG, Cert Med Ed , AMS, MEG
Director of Menopause, My Way
Dr. Sharmila Kumar graduated from the University of Sydney and is a fellow of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners with more than 20 years of clinical experience in all aspects of General Practice.
Her special interests are women’s health (peri/menopause and antenatal shared care) dermatology, ophthalmology, aged care and social prescribing. Sharmila is a AMS (Australasian Menopause Society) doctor, licensed champion MEG (Menopause Experts Group), medical educator for the RACGP and is an adjunct lecturer of University of Sydney Medical School.
Ambassador - Dr Jodie Carter
General Adult Psychiatrist
Dr Jodie Carter graduated from the University of Qld in 1992 and has been working in the field of Psychiatry since 1996. Dr Carter is a General Adult Psychiatrist with interests in Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Psychotic Disorders, Intellectual Disability Psychiatry, Chronic Pain and Adult ADHD.
Jodie's incredible experience combined with her generous, kind and empathetic nature makes her a wonderful ambassador for our women's wellness.
Claire Kelly
Claire is a very well regarded and highly skilled nurse consultant, educator, and health and wellness coach, specialising in oncology/cancer and peri/menopause wellness. She has an extensive background in practice, education and training, program development and care coordination - working with women, workplaces and health professionals to support them with their unique menopause, cancer and midlife health needs.
Claire also works as a menopause trainer for various organisations including
Corporate Wellness Solutions.
www.middlehealth.com.au
Katie Young
Katie is a certified menopause support coach and founder of The Mid Shift, who can be booked for face to face or online coaching support. With a background in psychology, mental health, pharmaceuticals and crisis support, Katie offers specialised one-on-one, or small group support for her clients to assist with their holistic wellness during their midlife.
Susan Crain
Susan has a background in law, counselling, separation & divorce coaching and family and domestic violence assistance. She works with women to help them deal with not only the financial and legal challenges of separation, but also the emotional wellness aspects.
As CEO of Women's Wellness Warriors and supporting businesses,
Separation Support Network, Family Counselling Support Network and Corporate Wellness Solutions, Susan is very passionate about providing this collaborative women's hub guidance to her clients and the wider community.
Helen Baker
A qualified, highly experienced award-winning financial planner, speaker and author, and founder of On Your Own Two Feet, a financial advice service that specialises in helping women across Australia gain and retain their financial freedom.
Helen regularly appears in the Australian media as a finance expert, sharing her practical financial advice.
Helen is soon releasing another book and financial wellness course which aims to help women in particular improve their overall financial education and potential. "Women need to plan, and not react."
Sherry Bell
Sherry is a registered psychologist, former educator, deputy principal, mother of 3 boys and widow, who has worked with children, teens, women and families for many years to help guide and support them through their various life challenges. Her personalised, practical, dedicated and positive style enables her to connect beautifully with her patients.
Sherry has also just completed her menopause coaching certification.
Sherry offers sessions in person in Brisbane and on-line
Rachel Baldock
Rachel is a former nurse with 15 years experience in nursing and has a deep understanding of how the body works and that every body is unique. As a breathwork and mindset coach and yoga teacher, Rachel's passion lies in supporting women to create safety within themselves, so that they can thrive in life and be the fullest expression of themselves.
She focuses on the mind, body and spirit, promoting wellness in all areas of life through breath, movement and the mind.
Rachel offers sessions in person and on-life.
www.restorativerach.com
Georgia Marrion
Georgia is a well known naturopath and nutritionist with a Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy, Bachelor of Health Science in Complementary Medicine and Masters of Human Nutrition, who has worked for the last 20 years supporting women's health, in particular in the areas including re-conception, fertility support and hormone balancing and perimenopause and menopause. She offers clients support particularly menstrual cycle irregularities, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, pre-menstrual syndrome, mast call activations, digestive issues, Although with her extensive clinical experience, Georgia is also an experienced writer and well regarded speaker.
www.fertileground.com.au
Dahlas Fletcher
Dahlas has been working for over 20 years with women helping them gain the confidence, strength, support and results they deserve through the various chapters of their life including pregnancy, post natal, parenting years, post injury or surgery, perimenopause, menopause and post menopause. Her training methods include, functional movement, resistance based training and modern core and pelvic floor training (beyond sit ups and Kegels) to produce excellent results. Her training is available in person and online through her programs, private virtual zoom session and easy to follow videos.
www.bodyfabulous.com.au
Women's Wellness Hub -
Finally the Support You Need All In One Place!
Women's Wellness Hub Directory
Physical and Emotional Health & Wellness
Peri Menopause & Menopause
Social Wellness
WWW: Women's Wellness Warrior Events Retreats
Join our FREE
Konnect online bookclub
Financial, Legal and Safety wellness
Separation and Co-parenting assist
Women’s Physical Health and checkups
As women, our bodies are challenged, intricate, unique, everchanging and need our attention and care. We need to stop and know our body and where it is at!
Too often we put ourselves last in the pecking order, which at the time we often validate, but deep down we know that neglecting ourselves can come back to haunt us in many different ways - mentally, physically and socially. Physical wellness in the form of periodic and age based health checks, regular exercise, a balanced diet, hormonal management, self care, stress reduction and sufficient sleep, are all keystones of physical well-being.
We know all that! But are we doing that?
We know you are probably laughing and saying - as if and when do I have time?
We offer some great, easy to follow tips, that won't have you feeling overwhelmed. We are also not shy in having some courageous and genuine conversations about topics which were hushed or which women unnecessarily associated with sense of shame or stigma. We tackle all the 'taboo' topics without any judgement.
Peri/ Menopause Support
Menopause, for some very lucky women, comes and goes relatively uneventfully, with perhaps just the obvious physiological changes, but for many women 'the pause' can sneak up and slap you when you least expect it, or can hit you like one gigantic tidal wave seemingly affecting every aspect of your wellness and life. We validate your experience no matter what age, what symptoms you get and provide you with some helpful wellness education, support and solutions to assist you to become more meno-wise and less meno-impacted.
We will assist you to understand the biological, emotional and mental impacts the 'pause' can have from peri to post pause. We can help you identify the key indicator and provide key strategies to help you. We share stories from many of our clients, real women, with real stories and how they have survived to thrive! Some are understandably difficult to hear, some emotional, and others well...........they will put a smile on your dial.
We try to answer your questions from - what is happening to my hair (on my head and face!), my sleep, skin, weight, brain, libido, moods, periods........it might all sound a little overwhelming but as we collaborate, share and encourage, there is a lot of connection and support that comes from it all. Trust us, we have all been on the journey too.
The more we share and care, the better 50% of the population will fare!
Fertility, Pregnancy & Post Natal Support
Feminine reproductive wellness covers the intricate balance of hormones - menstrual irregularities, hormonal imbalances, the reproductive system and the unique challenges women face during with their fertility, endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, pregnancy and peri and post natal wellness, incontinence and prolapse. These issues can significantly impact the quality of life of a woman - physically, mentally, socially and can have in turn an impact on their relationships and ability to work.
Women’s Mental & Emotional Wellness
No two women are the same and their experiences with mental health may be determined by a number of factors including culture, genetics, biology, age, environment, lifestyle, relationships and life experiences.
Women however do account for higher occurrences of some mental health concerns such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, non-suicidal self injury and depression. Our bid to 'juggle the load' by balancing work, education, family, social commitments, finances, household duties, providing caring assistance for elderly parents - can have a serious impact on our mental and emotional health and physical wellness.
Dealing with the ebb and flow of emotions is part of being a human and as women, we are often having to navigate many emotions. Emotional wellness includes learning how to understand, express and effectively manage emotions. It includes finding things we love to do, reconnecting with ourselves, examining our triggers, setting our boundaries, practicing self-compassion, building our resilience, and support networks.
It also includes how we manage our professional lives - balancing career goals with personal values - maintaining the healthy work-life balance so we can thrive both personally and professionally without jeopardising our mental and emotional wellness.
WWW - The Women's Wellness Warriors
WWW (The Women's Wellness Warriors) are made up of a number of incredible specialists who provide women's wellness guidance, support, resources and host a number of National events, retreats, conferences and webinars across Australia.
Our WWW specialists include:
fitness experts, nutritionists, nurses, menopause experts, post oncology support, financial advisors, career advisors, psychologists and counsellors, separation/divorce coaches, domestic and family violence experts, life coaches, mindset coaches, doctors, breath work, yoga and Pilates experts and rural women's support.
We also work in conjunction with Corporate Wellness Solutions to provide small to large corporates businesses with the opportunity to raise awareness and support of key women's wellness issues. www.corporatewellnesssolutions.com.au
Financial Wellness Support
Whether you are in a relationship, divorced, widowed, or are single and just want to better understand your financial situation, how to get help to save, budget, plan, access financial resources we provide you with some excellent, credible and reliable guidance from experts.
Raising Strong Women,
Our Girls Rites of Passage &
The 'Respecting You' programs
Female adolescent rites of passage provide young women with the ability to be seen, heard, respected, on their important transitional pathway to womanhood.
We provide guidance on the importance of these opportunities, how we can all work together to raise strong women and young women who respect themselves, and deserve full respect in return.
We provide details on courses, programs and events.
Women Building Connections
Women are inherently social beings and our connections and social networks play a really important role in our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. The support we get from friends, family and our community offer us emotional resilience and an important sense of belonging. Since covid 19, we have found that society, and in particular, workplaces have increasingly disconnected for a variety of reasons - possibly due to our concerns about keeping distance due to health issues, flexible working hours and work from home opportunities, financial hardship reducing social attendances, hiding behind social media and Netflix.......?
Recent studies have shown that isolation and loneliness are causing mental health issues to rise to incredibly concerning levels to the point that in 2022 loneliness was described as one of the most pressing Australian public health priorities in Australia and was the key variables causing a reduction in peoples life satisfaction. Social isolation causing loneliness has been linked to mental illness, emotional distress, development of dementia, premature death..
Our upcoming webinars, podcasts, online activities, events and Konnect bookclub are just the beginning to improve connection whether in person or at least online.
You are not alone x
Separation, Divorce, Single Parenting, and Co-Parenting support
These can all be extremely difficult, frustrating, overwhelming, scary and lonely times!
We provide you with tips and advice from the experts to get you through these challenges and to help you emerge more confidently, educated, supported and less stressed.
Podcasts, Courses & Webinars
We have a number of fabulous in person and online courses, workshops, webinars and events launching soon.
PODCAST SERIES
Join us from in November with the launch of our podcast series, 'KEEPING IT REAL WITH SUSAN & FRIENDS', we interview an awesome group of humans, including all things women!
THE BOOKCLUB IS COMING
As requested by our clients, KONNECT ONLINE BOOKCLUB, will launch in January 2025 in conjunction with the amazing 'Book Doula,' Vanessa Barrington of Healing House Publishing. The bookclub will have a realistic monthly book read requirement for our clubbers and will also have a library of books you can purchase anytime that offer great insight into women wellness, parenting, co-parenting etc. All the resources have been handpicked by our specialist team.
Join Konnect Bookclub now to go into the draw for a gorgeous prize from one of our sponsors @inspirational tea company.
Go to www.konnectbookclub.com
Women's Wellness Blog
Mediation Guide
Separation and divorce can be difficult, stressful, emotional and expensive.
Even if you and your former partner are relatively amicable, you may still need assistance to work out how to disentangle and split your finances and property in a fair way and to determine what will work best for your children and your family going forward.
The Family Court expects that people involved in family law disputes will only make an application to the Court to have their matter heard when there is no other way possible to resolve their dispute. There is an expectation in other words that people will attempt to resolve their differences and find a way to settle through compromise, discussion and if required, dispute resolution, if it is safe to do so.
Mediation and Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) can help you work through your parenting and financial agreements, resolve dispute and find solutions that provide the best outcome for all parties involved. It can provide an affordable, less stressful and faster method for resolving disputes while still allowing you to have significant input into the process and the outcomes. When a matter goes to court, you lose a lot of this input and control around outcomes.
Below is an overview of the mediation process and some hints we commonly provide our client on how to best navigate the process.
When compared to the high levels of stress and onerous and unpredictable costs of litigation, mediation is a relatively simple and expensive way to resolve disputes, sort out the division of assets and liabiliteis and create a co-parenting plan that is in the best interests ultimately of the children, and workable for the parents.
In Australia, both government-funded and private centres offer a variety of options for mediation, depending on your individual circumstances.
The role of an independent mediator is to guide you to a resolution usually through a combination of joint and individual sessions. A mediator's role is to stay neutral and not 'take sides.' They make sure each party understandsthe issues at hand, is aware of each other's position, and will help find a fair and workable solution that is acceptable.
While the sessions can be held just with the separating couple and the mediator, under certain circumstances, if both parties agree, the parties lawyers, and/or a support person may attend. Children may under very limited circumstances be involved.
Some mediations may be held face to face, in person, or via zoom, or in certain circumstances, including where there has been domestic and family violence, 'shuttle mediation' can be used to keep the parties separate and in a safe space.
Communication in the course of dispute resolution are, except in certain circumstances, confidential and inadmissible in any court. The dispute resolution practitioner however may be required by law to report certain disclosures or risk.
What is Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)?
FDR is a special type of medication that is focussed on considering the needs of the children while hehlping you come to an agreement. It is often used to resolve parenting matters but property division can also be included in FDR.
It provides you with an opportunity to improve your relationship with the other party/ies and reach an agreement about legal, practical and co-parenting issues that are important to you. Because all parties are involved in reaching a resoution, it is chance to be heard properly in a more controlled and less overwhelming way compared to court, and improves usually the chances that the agreement will last into the future and reduce conflict for you and your children. You may also learn more effective ways to communicate with the other party througout the process to help you resolve any future issues/disputes.
Under the Australian Family Law system, with limited exceptions, it is compulsory for separated parents to go through the proess of FDR before applying to a Family Law Court for parenting orders.
Dispute Resolution may happen within the Court, with officers of the Court, such as a judicial registrar and court appointed child expert. The Court will make orders for these events and it is essential that you attend.
Dispute resolution may also take place externally to the Court. You can source Mediation and Family Dispute Resolution privately or through government funded services such as Legal Aid, Relationships Australia and other Family Relationship Centres.
If you are looking to source a private Mediator or FDRP, we can recommend one of our regularly appointed mediators to assist.
You should ensure that any person you engage to assist with FDR is registered as a Famiy DIspute Resolution Practitioner (FDPR) with the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department, or if conducting arbitration, is accredited with AIFLAM, the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators.
Judicial Registrars and private mediators or FRDPs must provide a Certificate of Dispute Resolution at the conclusion of these events. There can be cost consequences for non-compliance with court orders for dispute resoluton.
What does Mediation and/or FDR cost?
Mediation has varying costs and can take anything from hours to days to complete, depending on the complexity of your situation and depending on whether financial and children issues are being considered.
Government-assisted FDR may be free or subsidised if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Fees are payable to mediators and dispute resolution practitioners in private practice.
If you have been ordered to undertake a post-separation parenting program, unless the order otherwise states, you will be required to pay for the costs of your attendance at that program.
In most cases, mediation or FDR is going to be much cheaper and faster, and a lot less stressful than battling it out in court.
Our Top Tips to Prepare for Mediation
Learn about the options available to you and what is best suited to your needs and budget.
Your FDR practitioner, lawyer or mediator will advise what documents you will be required to produce prior to, and on the day of, the mediation.
Prior to the mediation date, a complete understanding of your finances including assets, liabilities/debt, income, superannuation, parenting, child support, and other legal matters will greatly help the process. Get your documents well organised and labelled. We can assist you to prepare this list and the organisation.
When a court orders you to attend dispute resolution, orders will also be made about what documents are required to be completed exhanged and provided to the person conducting the dispute resolution. These may include for instance, any court documents such as applications, responses and affidavits, expert reports, any child impact report, confidential case summaries, and valuations.
Think about all the issues that you may want to consider including your parenting arrangements, financial and property matters before the mediation and consider what is important to you and why and what you hope to achive through mediation or FDR.
Try to keep an open mind and consider what is really motivating your priorities - is it emotionally based reasoning or is it based on what you genuinely believe is fair and in the children's best interests.
Be aware of the various costs involved in the types of mediation and FDR options available before you commit - mediator costs, lawyer costs, travel expenses, your time off work etc. Make phone calls to find out what costs are anticipated on an hourly/daily basis and any potential post mediation expense for example the costs of formalising your agreed terms of the mediation into a formal agreement which you may want to file in the Family Court to make enforceable.
Make sure you are actually available for the set mediation date and not running late. If there is any chance you will miss the date or the time, let the mediator and other party know well in advance to avoid financial consequences.
We know this can be very difficult to do, we hear you! This can be a highly emotional and confronting time which can make you feel overwhelmed and vulnerable. If is often a time in the separation/divorce process when we highly recommend that our clients reach out for additional emotional support and invest in their own self-care.
I know your head may be racing, but try to get a good nights sleep the night before mediation. We highly recommend you do not drink too much caffeine or consume other stimulants on the day or drink any alcohol throughout the day, you eat well so your sugar levels are ok, stay hydrated, take your medication as and when needed, make plans for the children after school as the mediation may go all day. You may plan to take a friend/support person if you have previously obtained the other sides consent to do this.
Ask for short breaks throughout the day to clear your head, visit the bathroom, calm down.
If you need an interpreter for the mediation, please make sure you let them know well in advance of the mediation day.
Be Aware of your Communication
Mediation is not the right opportunity or time to express your frustration, play games, be aggressive or point score.
If you can get your emotions in check and communicate effectively enough to convey your wishes, it can be an excellent way to resolve things and to help you and your children move on.
Try to stay focused on your objectives and achieving good outcomes for the children and yourself for the long term.
We always suggest to our clients that they should try to approach the mediation as a business meeting and to be as professional in their communication as possible throughout the mediation process - imagine they are talking and planning a meeting at work, asking for a pay rise with their employer or negotiating the purchase of a house. Poor behaviour such as shouting, swearing, accusing and blaming will likely derail the whole process, and make it difficult to arrive at any resolutions. Ignore the other parties potential outbursts as much as possible - don't bite! The mediator will usually help with this, so be guided by them (and your lawyer if you have one there with you.)
If you don't understand something that is explained to you, speak up and get clarification. You have the right to be heard and to ask. No question is too stupid. Don't let yourself be bullied.
If you feel unsafe, make sure you communicate this with the mediator in your initial intake consultation and provide them with any safety orders you may have.
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