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The Principal of Family Relief, Mary is a registered Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with membership with Mediation Institute, Conflict Management Academy, Australian Association of Social Work and Pacifica Congress.
Mary has degrees in Social Science (Psychology), Social Work, Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Mental Health and Social Emotional Wellbeing, Post Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution, Graduate Certificate of Conflict Management and Resolution and foundational training in Open Dialogue, Parenting Under Pressure and EMDR therapeutic practitioner. Mary has counselling experience with individuals, groups and families, dating back to 2008 and supporting clients in the complex area of family dispute resolutions since 2017. Mary has worked with clients to address issues around addiction, mental health recovery, trauma and relational needs.
Mary welcomes the language of family values and culture to be honoured in her work with clients.
Mary is committed to providing professional support that is informed, and well-structured to unique needs of clients. Mary encourages clients to communicate effectively to avoid lengthy and potentially damaging and traumatic court hearings. Mary has a special interest in the rights of children and impact of grief/loss in protracted conflicts.
There are limited places for parents to genuinely be safe with their pain, doubt or fear. This is even more true for separated parents who enter an adversarial system that supports blame as a strategy to protect connections. Brindley, the owner of Family Relief, has 10 years lived experience as a consumer of this system in addition to clinical and professional knowledge. Brindley questions how threats to attachment through grief and yearning may be applied to Family Dispute Resolution and the Parental Conflict Industry more broadly.
Brindley advocates for an approach that includes enabling rather than interfering with mechanisms of grief and changes to attachment. Consistent with Rawl’s Theory of Justice, Mary believes that justice is not possible without the mechanisms for all parties to participate meaningfully is accounted for. This change in approach requires an adjustment in professional values that includes a commitment by professionals to reduce indicators of emotional pain such as suicide, homicide, and other expressions within distressed families.
Mary has a special interest in the rights of children as active participants in family conflicts, as their grief is no less valid than that of their parents and extended family.
If you feel that there are safety concerns your mediator will work with you with the use of pre FDR (Family Dispute Resolution) support strategies. We are not a crisis service but we do understand that sometimes situations arise unexpectedly. We will guide you so that you don’t feel alone, although we are not available 24/7 by telephone. We can only respond to emails or booked Zoom sessions.
Yes, Mary is registered with the Attorney General’s Office as an FDRP and works within the Family Law legislation and regulations.
Please note that Judges of the new Family and Federal Circuit Court of Australia are now encouraged to consider the type of Certificate issued and can apply Section 13C or seek costs if a Certificate of Non Attendance is issued.
You can book a fee free 20 minute discussion with us, where we can discuss your needs and how we can best adapt to support you. One of our core values is the strength of difference. We are committed to providing a professional and ethical service within the broad scope of FDR (according to Resolution Institute and AASW). We are nonetheless always open to discussing your own ideas within these parameters, of how we can best help.
Family Relief works with families, parents and children, asking the tough questions to arrive at the best outcomes. The process is never rushed and not demanding. Everything we do, we do in your own time and when you are ready.
“Where does your joy come from?” “How can your happiness be compatible with that of those most important to you?” These are two of our favourite questions to open the door to healing and peace of mind.
We do not offer legal advice or legal referrals. Book your 20 minute free consultation to find out.
Clients typically leave the service satisfied that we have worked hard together, assisting you to understand and engage in family relationships in a healthier way, and become better parent as a result. A written court sactioned agreement increases a sense of overall stability. Pain, insecurity and fear are reduced and peace of mind begins to rebuild for all family members.
Family Relief is committed to creating a safe and supportive space for us to work together. We have the qualifications, experience and understanding to present the resources you may need to help you along the way. All we ask of you is commitment and courage to trust the process.
We begin with a thorough Intake session and initial guidance of where to from here. We do not (can not) offer legal advice and encourage you to seek this prior to your Intake session.This is particularly important if there are property matters to settle.
Once it is deemed safe and appropriate to continue, your mediator will invite the person you would like to mediate with to an intake session. If there are independant needs that may influence the mediation, your practitioner may offer some pre FDR support work to assist along the way.
A mediation will be scheduled when appropriate to all parties. This is usually a robust discussion via Zoom, with the inclusion of trauma safety practices to ensure emotional and physical safety fof all concerned.
Agreements and proposals will be documented by your mediator and emailed to both parties. Signed copies will be arranged where possible and necessary. Post FDR support can be included as part of agreements to ensure that ongoing needs can be supported as parent adapt to changes. Child Consultations are available for ongoing mediations. It is recommended that 2 or 3 mediations be scheduled to create stability and safe flexibility terms into the agreements.
Expect a process rather than an event that demonstrates integrity of the values of Family Relief and an efficient, professional and ethical service delivery model.
Payment plans are available!
Once you have booked your appointment you will receive an SMS with links to forms you can complete on your phone, tablet or laptop.
Full payment prior to sessions is available, but you can also specify a weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalment if this is more affodable.
