Beside the Sea Tidings July-August-September 2026

Karena Coller
2 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 2 hours ago

First day of Spring in Australia

Isn’t the warmer air and smell of spring rain refreshing? I awoke early to birds singing, morning traffic, and the sound of mowing nearby. My last post was on the first day of winter, and although I expected to write again before now, it has been an unexpectedly full winter of family happenings.

We are in awe of the views from a new mountain-top home for my elder son’s family; blessed to welcome, after much prayer, the safe arrival of a dear new premature grandson for my other son and his wife; grateful for a new stage in a relationship for my elder daughter; and encouraged by a change of career for our younger daughter. As well, we have been renovating my mother-in-law’s home, and my husband has been moving his organisation’s boats and camping equipment from Docklands to a temporary new location. All of these happenings were already on their way, yet they arrived earlier than planned and all at once, like spring rain coming in a flurry.

Welcome. If you’re curious about Occupational Therapy, Family Systemic Constellations, or individual and couple work, you’re in the right place. My work and the offerings below support you and your family, including your children, to feel more connected, find balance and move forward with greater clarity, strength, and joy.

Occupational Therapy and Family Systemic Constellations

Occupational therapy is about supporting people to take part in everyday life. I work alongside children, young people, individual adults, couples, and families. I approach therapy in a warm, family-centred way to build confidence, strengthen connection, and support meaningful participation in daily life.

My approach to supporting your 'family biome' and yourselves to thrive is to consider the whole person and family systemically. This may include looking at the individual needs of a child and parents, family habits and routines, and the unhealed influence of intergenerational patterns and dynamics that have been silently present in a family, often as a result of past societal or family trauma.

This traditional occupational therapy and family systemic approach allows therapy to consider many factors and is led by you and your child’s day-to-day needs and goals, while also offering the opportunity to look into the past for what may be influencing what feels stuck in the present. Awareness is an agent of natural change, and when met with loving kindness and compassion, it can have a gentle ripple effect of calm and clarity, helping all move forward with peace and joy in our lives.

Family Systemic Constellations

'Heal the past, live the present, dream the future' (Mary Engelbreit)

Upcoming workshops for the rest of 2026

Facilitators: Karena J Coller joined by Robert Coller

When: Sunday 13 September and Sunday 18 October

At Warragul Natural Health, 83 Victoria Parade, Warragul, West Gippsland, Victoria

and

Saturday and Sunday 14 and 15 November, Mt Beauty, Victoria

Family Systemic Constellation Workshops offer a gentle, grounded space to explore the patterns that shape your relationships, choices, and the way you experience yourself and others. Through guided, embodied systemic work, you are invited to see yourself within the wider story of your family, ancestors, and society. I hold the space with warmth, respect and steadiness, creating a field where each person is met with dignity and care. Whether you take part in your own constellation, represent for someone else, or simply witness, the experience can bring insight, connection, and a quiet sense of coming home to yourself.

Please reach out if you would like to know more about how Family Systemic Constellation Workshops can help you with an issue that despite your best efforts feels stuck.

For more information and to register for a workshop see: Family Systemic Constellations Workshops| Beside The Sea

Constellations Cafe: Small Group Circle

Caring for Ourselves, Caring for Each Other, Caring for Our Children

I also offer a Constellations Café: a small group offering, as well as individual and couple sessions. Drawing on my occupational therapy and family systemic constellation lens, I aim to create a space for you, or for your bespoke small parenting or professional group, to explore the challenges that arise in parenting, caring, therapeutic, and educational roles in a solution-focused way.

By stepping back to see the broader systemic picture, participants can gain clarity, reconnect with their own wellbeing, and recognise a grounded next step forward.

Sessions run for 60 minutes for one participant, with 30 minutes added for each additional participant.
Groups include up to three participants
You may attend as needed or join regularly.
The circle runs with between one and three registered participants.

· A nourishing cup of cacao is included.

Facilitator: Karena J Coller

In-person - Wednesday morning monthly: 10am - 12noon
Online Zoom - Monday evening monthly: 6pm - 8pm

For more information, see: Constellations Cafe | Beside The Sea

Thank you for taking the time to read and connect with this offering. I would love to welcome you into one of these spaces, whether you are seeking clarity for yourself, support for your family, or simply a gentle place to pause and reconnect. If something here speaks to you, please feel free to reach out — I’d be very happy to answer any questions, talk through what may be most supportive, and help you find the offering that feels right for you to help you take the next step. I look forward to connecting with you and supporting your next step with warmth, care, and clarity.

Céad mílle fáilte — a hundred thousand welcomes.

Kindly,

Karena