Compassionate
Evidence-Based
Coaching

Helping You Feel Present, Joyful and Connected Again

Experiencing trauma and adversity leaves deep, invisible wounds that can make it hard to feel truly seen, heard, or valued — often creating a sense of being “too much” or “not enough.”

Here’s the thing:

The truth is that a painful past shapes not only how you see yourself but how you move through the world.

It can teach you to doubt your feelings, to expect disappointment, or to keep yourself small just to feel safe.

You may find yourself stuck in old patterns, disconnected from your needs, or carrying a weight you can’t quite name.

But none of this means you are broken.

These responses were your mind and body’s way of protecting you in the environments you once had to survive.

The good news is that healing is possible.

By meeting yourself with compassion, you can begin to release what no longer serves you, reconnect with your true self, and create a life that feels more aligned and free.

With time, gentleness, and support, you can step into your future with greater confidence, self-trust, and hope.

As your coach…

I’m here to help you transform your hurt into healing.

My primary coaching modality is Trauma-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (TFACT).

The aim of TFACT is to help you create a full and meaningful life while effectively handling the pain and stress of a difficult past.

It is through this mindful state that you have a choice in how to respond to your thoughts and feelings, consciously choose your actions and live more in line with the person you desire to be, despite the obstacles you’ve faced.

In addition to TFACT, I am also trained in and apply principles of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion, Polyvagal Theory and Positive Psychology.

My approach to coaching bridges the gap between traditional therapy and life coaching. It’s a collaborative process that supports you to explore the roots of your struggles, while also helping you take meaningful steps forward.

I specialise in trauma-informed coaching for adults who are navigating the lingering effects of painful past experiences. I specialise in coaching people all around the world who are:

  • Navigating difficult life transitions or seasons of ‘stuckness’

  • Recovering from abandonment, betrayal, narcissistic relationships or adversity

  • Stuck in trauma patterns of people-pleasing, codependency or perfectionism

  • Wanting to heal shame and move towards greater self-love, compassion, and acceptance.

  • Healing from childhood wounds, complex relationship patterns and insecure attachment

  • Longing for more clarity and confidence

  • Ready to rebuild and rise from the ashes

Through compassionate coaching, I help individuals build the healthy, fulfilling lives and relationships they deserve, starting with the most important relationship of all: the one with themselves.

Who I Support:

My Areas of Expertise

Trauma Recovery

Support for those healing from betrayal, abandonment, birth trauma, childhood trauma, and other distressing experiences.

Relationship Issues

Guidance for those navigating unhealthy relationship patterns common in trauma survivors, such as codependency, people-pleasing, or chronic conflict.

Anxiety and Depression

Understanding how anxiety and depression manifest after adversity, and practical strategies to reduce symptoms and regain a sense of vitality and aliveness.

Perfectionism and Overfunctioning

Identifying the roots of “never feeling good enough” and its link to self-worth, fear of failure, and high self-expectations.

Grief and Loss

Holding space for you after experiencing loss, whether from death, separation, divorce, estrangement or major life changes.

Life Transitions

Support for major life changes that often activate unresolved trauma, such as divorce, career shifts, parenthood, or identity shifts.

Training and Qualifications

While much of my coaching and insight is drawn from my personal experience, I have had the great pleasure of learning from many industry-leading experts in the fields of psychology, trauma and nervous system regulation, through the following training and certification programs:

  • Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) from Swinburne University

  • Current: Post-Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy with the Cairnmillar Institute

  • Advanced Diploma of Yoga and Meditation Teaching from the Australian Yoga Academy

  • Certificate of Life Coaching, BYCA

Here’s How We’ll Work Together:

  • My coaching sessions are 60-minute private, virtual video calls hosted on Zoom.

  • Sessions are booked on your schedule at a pace that works for you. Many clients choose to book calls each week, every other week, or monthly, depending on their needs and resources.

  • I’ll share relevant worksheets and guided meditations for you to use between sessions.

  • My current rates for 60-min sessions are either $140 AUD (full-fee) or $110 AUD (concession fee), depending on what will best suit your needs and resources.

If you’re ready to stop simply surviving and want to come home to yourself again, I’m here to support you.

You don’t have to do this alone.

If you have any questions, feel free to schedule a complimentary 30-minute call with me here.

“Most certainly there is now a fresh ‘Once upon a time’ waiting for you from this day forward.”

— CLARISSA PINKOLA ESTÉS

 FAQs

  • For the remainder of 2025, Meg will only be available to see clients on Wednesdays and Fridays between 10am - 3pm AEST/AEDT. Click here to convert to your timezone.

    She is occasionally available for appointments on a Sunday upon request.

  • No, coaching is different from therapy in that a coach cannot diagnose mental illnesses.

    Trauma-informed coaching uses information from trauma psychology to inform the process of setting goals and moving forward towards the future, but does not set out to directly process or resolve the trauma.

    If you are generally stable but struggling to meet your goals, have the relationships you desire, or feel really good about your life, coaching could be the container that helps you get to where you want to be.

  • My current rates for 60-min sessions are either $140 AUD (full-fee) or $110 AUD (concession fee), depending on what will best suit your needs and resources.

  • Unfortunately, life coaches cannot currently offer medicare rebate sessions. However, the cost of coaching tends to reflect the typical gap fee for a Medicare-funded psychology session.

    If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact Meg via hello@megjames.com.au to apply for a concession fee.

  • I usually work with people who are tired of the ways trauma or chronic stress is continually showing up in their lives and relationships.

    Many of my clients struggle with shame, perfectionism, anxiety, people-pleasing, and other mindset issues generated from negative past experiences or the way they’ve adapted to them over time.

    In our work together, I support my clients to better understand why these issues may be showing up for them from a trauma-informed lens.

    From there, we co-create solutions and strategies for moving forward toward the client’s ultimate goal or intention they have for themselves.

  • Yes. Online coaching really is as effective as an in-person session. In some cases, it’s actually a better model for coaching. It’s time-efficient and very personal. However, if you’re still in doubt, give it a try and you might be surprised.

  • Sessions are booked on your schedule at a pace that works for you. Many clients choose to book calls each week, every other week, or monthly, depending on their needs.

  • Authentic, compassionate, empathetic and built on a foundation of genuine connection and presence. Meg’s client-centred approach is warm, nurturing and non-judgemental. She focuses on fostering your own sense of autonomy, agency and capability as a self-healer.

  • You are welcome to email Meg between your sessions to receive support, ask questions or share what you have been working on to help keep you on track.

    I’ll also share relevant self-reflection worksheets or guided meditations to support you in between sessions

  • Yes, Meg is available for limited weekend sessions on Sundays upon request.

  • Yes, absolutely. Feel free to reach out to Meg via hello@megjames.com.au or simply click here to organizs a complimentary 30-min call for your remaining questions.