Welcome to five mind therapy

Hi, I’m Kyle, the founder of Five Mind Therapy. I believe that everyone’s story is unique and understanding how our relationship to our story impacts our experience is key to finding connection, healing, growth and meaning. My journey to becoming a counsellor has been shaped by my own struggles with mental health, life challenges, and the search for greater purpose.

“What stands in the way, is the way” Marcus Aurelius

As a teenager, I had no idea what I wanted to do after high school. While my classmates seemed to have their futures planned out, I felt lost and unsure of my direction. I was never a great student so my choices felt limited. Without much guidance or inspiration, I applied to a few university courses but didn’t get any offers.

I’d been working as a kitchen hand in a restaurant my dad managed and after high school I transitioned to waiting tables full time.

At first, I enjoyed the fast-paced, social environment, but over time, I struggled with the superficial interactions that came with hospitality. I didn’t feel that I was extroverted or outgoing enough to thrive in that setting, and I felt increasingly disconnected. After a few years of jumping between hospitality jobs, I knew I needed a change.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” Lao Tzu

Despite still not really knowing what I wanted to do, I enrolled in a diploma of Chinese remedial massage. I was drawn to its holistic approach and connection to Chinese philosophy and I found a lot of value in this kind of work. This led me to pursue a Bachelor of Health Science in Chinese Medicine, where I developed a deeper appreciation for holistic approaches to well-being.

Despite my interest in the subject, I faced challenges. Balancing work, studies, and social life was difficult, and I later realised that undiagnosed ADHD may have contributed to my struggles. At the same time, I was silently battling depression and anxiety—issues I wouldn’t fully understand until my mid-20s, when I finally sought help and was diagnosed.

“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings” Lao Tzu

About the time I finished my degree my mother told me she was sick.

My relationship with my mum was complicated but significant. Growing up, we were never really close. I know she was doing her best but she could be unpredictable and her angry outbursts were often frightening. Looking back now I can see that she was dealing with the trauma of her own childhood as well as post natal depression and chronic pain.

Her back pain she said, was the result of traumatic medical interventions in her childhood. Despite the severity of her pain, doctors repeatedly told her, “it’s all in your head”. This caused her to develop a deep mistrust of most medical professionals.

When she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, she chose to forgo treatment in part because of those past experiences. She also asked me to keep her diagnosis a secret, which left me feeling isolated and torn between honouring her wishes and the guilt of keeping it from the rest of the family.

After finishing my degree, I began practicing Chinese medicine while still managing a restaurant full time.

This was an incredibly challenging time. I felt the weight of keeping her secret while also navigating my own grief and trying to run a business. However, when an unexpected opportunity arose I decided to go all in and buy the restaurant I was managing and get out of Chinese medicine.

In 2016, my mum passed away. Because I’d kept her illness a secret, my family’s reaction was understandably complex. Instead of feeling supported, I felt ostracised. Because I didn’t know how else to deal with it, I channeled my grief into work, leading to chronic stress and emotional detachment which had a big impact on my personal relationships.

“If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s” Carl Jung

A year later, I left the restaurant and took a job doing ground maintenance at a cemetery. Working outdoors gave me space to reflect and process the last few years. While listening to audiobooks and podcasts, I developed a passion for mental health, psychology, and human behaviour.

Looking back, I see how much my mum’s story shaped my own. Her experiences taught me the importance of truly listening to people—not just their words but the underlying emotions and stories that often remain unspoken.

These experiences led me to pursue a Master’s in Counselling. I felt that it was finally time to work on understanding how my life experiences have shaped my understanding of myself and the world I live in. My own struggles with social anxiety, depression, and life’s uncertainties have taught me that healing is a deeply personal and non-linear journey. Also that healing isn’t always about erasing the pain or the injury but understanding it’s purpose as a teacher so we can grow through our pain.

Why Five Mind Therapy?

My experiences with my mum’s illness and loss profoundly shaped my perspective as a counsellor. Healing isn’t just about finding solutions—it’s about feeling understood, respected, and supported, even in life’s hardest moments.

At Five Mind Therapy, I combine my background in holistic health, counselling, and personal experience to create a space where you can explore your story, find meaning, and build deeper connections with yourself and others.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about me. I look forward to supporting you on your journey.