Marayka Rancie

Working with children and families

Many children do not want intense, face-to-face conversations about their innermost feelings—and for many, that can feel far too exposing, confronting or overwhelming. That is why my work with children is gentle, creative, and designed to meet them where they are. Sessions may include sand tray, nature-based approaches, movement, play, stories, and practical skill-building, so counselling feels safe and engaging rather than intimidating. Over time, trust grows, and children often communicate what they are carrying in ways that feel most natural to them.

Parents and carers are not shut out of the process. Child counselling works best when the adults around the child feel supported, informed, and equipped. Within the boundaries of confidentiality and the child’s developmental needs, I incorporate parent/carer check-ins and collaborative planning, so you understand the goals we are working toward and how you can reinforce progress at home. I see counselling as a family experience—because children do not heal in isolation, and lasting change is strengthened when the whole system is supported.

A little more about me

Outside the counselling room, I’ve been happily married for over 25 years and am a mother of four. We live on a hobby farm in the Yarra Valley, and the steadiness of family life, nature, and animals genuinely shapes the calm, grounded way I work with clients. Being outdoors is part of how I practise the balance and self-care I encourage in others.

I’m a Bachelor-qualified counsellor with a Diploma of Christian Counselling, committed to ethical, evidence-informed practice through ongoing supervision and professional development. My style is warm, steady, and practical. I want you to feel genuinely seen and respected — and I also want you to leave sessions with realistic, helpful tools that support real change in everyday life.

I believe good training matters — and so does the person you’re sitting with. Counselling isn’t just about knowing theory; it’s about insight, humility, emotional maturity, and the ability to sit safely with complexity. Those qualities are shaped over time, through reflection, lived experience, and a willingness to do the work personally as well as professionally. That grounding influences how I show up in the room: with care, integrity, and steadiness.

I don’t work from a place of distance or authority. I work alongside you — respectful of your story, your values, and your pace. I take the therapeutic relationship seriously and understand how vulnerable it can feel to seek support. You can expect your story to be held with care, confidentiality, and without judgment. And if we’re not the right fit, that’s okay too — finding the right support matters.

My background includes many years of pastoral care and support for individuals and families navigating grief, trauma, illness, and major life transitions. I also understand the realities of parenting — including the emotional load that can come with supporting neurodivergent children, managing advocacy fatigue, and holding care for your child without losing yourself in the process.

In my sessions, you won’t be preached at or overwhelmed with therapy jargon. You’ll receive steady care, practical tools, and a clear, respectful process — grounded in evidence-based, trauma-informed therapy and a genuine belief that healing and growth are possible.

If you’re looking for counselling that is thoughtful, values-respecting, and grounded in real-life understanding, you’re very welcome here.