About Forge Ahead Counselling

Hello, I’m Brenda, the founder of Forge Ahead Counselling. With 23 years of experience as an emergency nurse, I’ve been on the frontlines of healthcare, providing support to those in critical moments. I understand the unique challenges that frontline workers, health professionals, and first responders face daily – emotionally, physically, and mentally. Alongside my nursing career, I am also a trained counsellor, with qualifications in both counselling and psychology.

As a mother of five, I understand the balancing act between career, family, and self-care. I’ve witnessed first-hand the impact of compassion fatigue, burnout, and trauma on those who serve others, and I’ve seen and experienced how these challenges can take a toll on personal lives and well-being. My personal experiences, paired with my professional background, fuel my passion for helping people in the health and emergency sectors heal and thrive.

Through Forge Ahead Counselling, I offer a safe and supportive space for individuals who carry the weight of others’ pain. I take a holistic approach, recognizing the strength it takes to serve others and the importance of nurturing your own mental and emotional health. My aim is to help you build resilience, find balance, and move forward in your recovery journey – one step at a time.

Whether you're struggling with vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, or burnout, I am here to provide compassionate support, tailored strategies, and practical tools for healing. Together, we can work on addressing these challenges in a way that empowers you to feel grounded and continue making a difference in the world.

I look forward to helping you forge a path to recovery, self-care, and renewal.