Our Services

Michelle Bowyer - Director of Ocean Grace

Ocean Grace was founded by Michelle on the 22nd of January 2018 and named after her family’s love of living near the ocean, its calming effect on their 3 living children, and after her daughter Grace whom she lost during her 5th month of pregnancy. Ocean Grace is her daughter’s legacy that teaches us to cherish our children, overcome our fears and follow our dreams.

Michelle is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work (MSWQ) and over 20 years’ experience providing support and interventions to children, adults and families across 3 different countries.

Michelle has extensive experience working with families impacted by disability and with children with extreme behavioural difficulties.

Michelle is trained and experienced in delivering the Circle of Security Parenting program, Bringing Up Great Kids program and in Positive Behaviour Support Plans for children and adults with disabilities. Michelle is also trained and experienced in Expressive Therapies, which uses forms of creative expression such as art, symbol work, music and movement.

Patrick O’Brien - Surf and Sand Psychology

Patrick is a Registered Psychologist, recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia. He has been practising as a psychologist since 2006. The focus of his work is to:

Support and journey with people through challenges and difficulties they are experiencing.

Help meet the increasing need people have for deeper meaning and purpose in their lives.

Each person Patrick works with is accepted, listened to and guided, to foster greater personal insight and growth. Patrick has been lucky to experience many different people and cultures, to work in different roles and industries, and to have wonderful support through his own challenges and difficulties. A key learning for him has been that no one is perfect and nor should we try to be. However, it is possible for everyone to access their own unique potential – especially when receiving good psychological support through challenges and difficulties.

Patrick has developed skills in cognitive-behavioural therapy, solutions-focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and narrative therapy. In recent years, he has undertaken skills development in somatic (body-based) therapy and Jungian psychotherapy. He finds these particularly helpful for people experiencing persistent psychological difficulties and suffering.

Patrick welcomes adults and middle teens (15 to 17 years) who have a clinical diagnosis or those who have become stuck by difficulties that hold them back from living a full life, including:

- Trauma (developmental, relationships, PTSD)

- Depression and Anxiety

- Relationship difficulties 

- Anger issues

- Diminished satisfaction and engagement in life

- Leadership challenges

- Work and career issues

Joanne Maughan — Counsellor & Coach

Joanne is a qualified counsellor and life coach who supports individuals and couples navigating life transitions, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and personal growth. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and trauma-informed, creating a safe, supportive space for reflection, healing, and positive change.

Drawing from person-centred, solution-focused, trauma informed and cognitive behavioural approaches, Joanne integrates therapeutic insight with practical strategies to help clients develop clarity, confidence, and direction. She also incorporates coaching tools to strengthen motivation, boundaries, and well being, empowering clients to live with greater self-awareness and purpose.

Areas of Focus / Clientele

• Adults experiencing life transitions, stress, or burnout
• Couples navigating communication or trust difficulties
• Individuals processing grief, loss, or significant change
• Clients rebuilding confidence and self-esteem
• Those seeking purpose, balance, or career direction
• Adults managing anxiety, depression, or relationship strain

Joanne works in suicide prevention and supporting those with suicide ideation and brief interventions. Joanne offers both in-person and online sessions from her practice within Ocean Grace Counselling, Caloundra.

Leah Millward - Resource Yourself

Leah is an Accredited Social Worker and DDP Therapist, Consultant and Trainer who is passionate about providing nurturing therapeutic spaces, so clients feel safe to share their story, be heard and grow. She uses an integrative therapy approach and draws from modalities such as DDP, Narrative Therapy, Family Therapy, ACT, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Emotion Focus Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. Leah believes the therapeutic journey should be one that allows the client/s to be the expert in their experience, and that her role is to meet the client/s where they are at, to tap into the resources they already possess to thrive.

Leah comes with 27 years' experience working in the Government and Non-Government sectors in Child Protection, Child and Youth Mental Health, Youth Justice, Domestic and Family Violence, Child Development and Disability and her expertise lies in supporting the complexities of Families, Children and Couples no matter what the family constellation, concern or complexity.

Leah has a particular passion for nurturing parents and is a Circle of Security Facilitator, Bringing Up Great Kids Facilitator, Foundations for Attachments and Nurturing Attachments Facilitator.

Darren Singh - Lion Wellness

At Lion Wellness, I bring forth a deep-rooted passion for guiding individuals and families through the intricate layers of human suffering, particularly in areas encompassing addictions, grief, anxiety, depression, relational challenges, and behaviours sometimes labelled as ‘unusual’ or ‘concerning’.

My approach at Lion Wellness is to blend the profound insights derived from ancient cultural wisdoms with contemporary therapeutic practices and personal experience — always remaining person-centred and non-judgemental, in the true ethic of psychotherapy.

When we journey together, we will cultivate a brave space — calling upon the courage of the Lion — to explore the difficult terrain, in pursuit of the wellness you seek.

Having witnessed my own community and loved ones navigate similar hardships, I’m deeply dedicated to offering pathways for healing and transformation.

Below are some of the common referral areas I support:

Depression & Anxiety

The many ways we cope, soothe, and escape, including:

• Substance use – alcohol, food, smoking/vaping, other substances

• Internet and screen use – including gaming and online adult content

• Gambling

Safety-related behaviours
Including self-harming behaviours or the use of control and harm in relationships

Family dynamics and communication
Support for navigating family relationships, parenting, or interpersonal conflict

Psychotherapy
For all of the above concerns and beyond — offering support for self-exploration, healing, recovery, and personal growth.

Adolescent Counselling
Specialised support tailored to the needs of young people

Aura Speech Pathology

At Aura Speech Pathology, we specialise in speech sound disorders, early language, feeding and orofacial myology.

We incorporate play and fun activities to encourage your child’s engagement in therapy. With adults, we ensure that therapy is person-centered, with the client heavily involved in goal-setting and the selection of therapeutic approaches. We believe that therapy should be meaningful and enjoyable in order for it to promote change.

When you entrust your speech pathology needs to Aura, it becomes our top priority. Whether you're dealing with simple or complex issues, each client is treated with utmost care and attention to ensure the best possible outcomes. Our team of dedicated therapists provides dynamic and personalised therapy interventions that empower you or your child to reach their full potential.

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Thu Andersen

Thu is based in Maroochydore and is an Accredited Social Worker who supports her clients with mental health challenges and their healing journey. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Play Therapy.

She is currently pursuing her PhD in meditation and neuroscience. She is passionate about helping her clients unleash their potential and improve their quality of life through her care. She strongly believes everyone deserves better mental well-being and a happy fulfilling life.

Our Offices

Ocean Grace Offices

Are located in central Caloundra, 2 blocks back from the beach, in light, spacious and welcoming rooms on level 2 in Trinity House Medical Centre. (Click on images to view larger).

Here at Ocean Grace, while we care first and foremost about our clients, we also care for the world around us. Here are some things we do for positive impact.

Supporting Local Businesses

Ocean Grace understands the difficulties of owning and operating a small local business and therefore we do what we can to buy local produce and support local businesses and their families. Here are just a few of the local businesses we support and collaborate with:

• New Tides Disability Services and Support Organisation - https://newtides.org.au/

• DSC Web and Business (website and IT support)

• iGenerate Marketing (marketing products, sign designs event planning)

• The Stickerman (office signage)

• Azara Collection (wooden signs, name badges, gifts)

• Raylene Hall artwork (local artist at Seaview Art Gallery)

How can we help you?