{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"Explore Our Extensive Counselling Article Library","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.aipc.net.au\/articles","author_name":"AIPC","author_url":"https:\/\/www.aipc.net.au\/articles\/author\/admin\/","title":"AIPC Alumni Interview \u2013 Kate Marshall","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"6qjJsUpNNv\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aipc.net.au\/articles\/aipc-alumni-interview-kate-marshall\/\">AIPC Alumni Interview \u2013 Kate Marshall<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aipc.net.au\/articles\/aipc-alumni-interview-kate-marshall\/embed\/#?secret=6qjJsUpNNv\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;AIPC Alumni Interview \u2013 Kate Marshall&#8221; &#8212; Explore Our Extensive Counselling Article Library\" data-secret=\"6qjJsUpNNv\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/www.aipc.net.au\/articles\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n<\/script>\n","description":"From Backstage to Breakthroughs: Kate Marshall\u2019s Path to Becoming a Counsellor \u201cBalance isn\u2019t something you find, it\u2019s something you build.\u201d For South Australian counsellor and AIPC Diploma of Counselling graduate Kate Marshall, this quote is more than a guiding principle, it\u2019s the hard-won truth behind a life that\u2019s transitioned from fast-paced backstage chaos to calm, supportive conversations with clients seeking clarity. As the founder of Serenity Counselling, Kate brings warmth, resilience, and a deeply human perspective to her practice, qualities shaped by decades of diverse experiences and personal transformation. From the Music Industry to Mental Health Before her career in counselling, Kate\u2019s world was anything but quiet. She began in the vibrant, high-stakes environment of the radio and music industry, where every day brought new challenges and adrenaline-fuelled logistics. But as fulfilling as that world was, it wasn\u2019t her only passion. \u201cIt was always difficult for me to decide whether to devote myself to running around backstage at concerts or counselling couples and supporting people.\u201d At just 16, a trusted adult had discouraged her from pursuing counselling, suggesting she was \u201ctoo empathetic\u201d to manage the emotional demands. That message stuck, for a while. Life unfolded with new priorities: a radio and music career, an admin career, motherhood, and raising a busy household of four children. But the counselling path never fully disappeared. It was her husband who eventually nudged her forward. \u201cIn 2019, he said, \u2018I think you\u2019ve put this off long enough. It\u2019s time you started studying counselling.\u2019 And that was it. I enrolled at AIPC.\u201d &nbsp; Choosing AIPC: Flexibility Meets Support After researching her options, Kate was drawn to AIPC for its strong reputation and student support. The Diploma of Counselling offered everything she needed: flexibility, advanced study majors, and close alignment with the Australian Counselling Association. \u201cI loved being able to shape the learning around my life and evolve my working life while I studied. The support from AIPC staff, their approachable nature and willingness to chat and treat me like an individual left me feeling like I was supported without being micromanaged, and I honestly feel like that set me up for success.\u201d The ability to tailor study around her life gave Kate a real sense of autonomy. She could study late at night, early in the morning, or during quiet gaps in the day, all without compromising her responsibilities at home. Relearning How to Learn Despite being excited to start, the transition back into study was a challenge for Kate. \u201cWhen I first began studying, it was a real struggle to sit and read for long periods of time and retain anything useful. Coming from parenting small children for many years, I was unused to being able to focus for more than 20 minutes at a time. It just took practice to relearn to do this (along with a good helping of self-compassion).\u201d Kat also took onboard the lessons she\u2019d learnt from early in the Diploma of Counselling course regarding learning types, and leveraged this information into doing her own research, complimenting the study guides with videos, podcasts and wider reading to grasp a deeper understanding of each concept. She even initiated new systems at home with her family, to make managing the household more collaborative and enjoyable for all members. This gave rise to a program Kate is now developing for her family therapy clients called, \u201cManaging Home Together\u201d. From Graduate to Private Practice Owner After graduating in 2023, Kate launched Serenity Counselling, working with individuals, couples, and families across a range of mental health needs. From grief, loss and trauma, building self-awareness, enhancing relationships, and building a balanced life, her sessions are a safe space where clients can reflect, rebuild, and reconnect. \u201cThose moments when the client and I really collaborate and untangle a clear reason for why they might be blocked in life, or come up with a great path forward. I love having the opportunity to be allowed into their world and support them in finding their clarity.\u201d But like many private practitioners, Kate also encountered less glamorous hurdles, especially around marketing. \u201cMarketing still makes me nervous. Technology, social media\u2026 it can all feel overwhelming. But I remind myself: I can figure it out. And if I fail? I\u2019ll learn. That mindset shift has been essential.\u201d &nbsp; Tips for Thriving Through Study and Beyond Kate has developed clear strategies that helped her stay balanced during her studies, and now shape her counselling practice: Let tech carry your mental load: Use apps and calendars to offload the stress of planning and organisation. Progress over perfection: Don\u2019t get stuck trying to prioritise the perfect task. Just start, momentum matters more. Find a supervisor early: Even during study, a trusted supervisor builds confidence and sharpens reflective practice. Protect your study time: Create clear boundaries. Treat study like a job. Start and finish at set times. Find a way to organise your notes that works for you: Tangible tools can ground your study process and provide a sense of completion, but working digitally can be more efficient. Whatever works for you, find it and stick to it. Wellbeing Wisdom: Kate\u2019s Self-Care Essentials Kate\u2019s approach to wellbeing is practical and grounded: Build your tribe: Stay connected to people who lift you up and help you laugh, my core friends that I call my \u201cunicorn mums\u201d are key to me keeping balance and have been one of the major driving forces in my success as a counsellor. Move your body, mindlessly: Don\u2019t overthink exercise. Just start moving. Take the boring medicine: Some self-care (like health checks and exercise) isn\u2019t fun, but it\u2019s necessary. Live in alignment with your values: Clarify your personal values, find some exercises online and take the time to consider and define them. They\u2019re the compass for decisions and boundaries. Create a mental \u2018happy place\u2019: Use imagination to regulate emotions and reset your nervous system in times of stress. By taking yourself to a place and time where you are happy, serene and wise, you can affect your brain chemistry in a very positive way, which positively affects your physical health too. What\u2019s Next? For now, Kate is focused on growing her practice while nurturing her current client base. She\u2019s passionate about helping young people and is preparing to become a Youth Mental Health First Aid trainer, she also plans to dive back into writing, developing counselling concepts that are important to her. She\u2019s also looking forward to beginning group work as a service, so that she can help more members of the community. A Word of wisdom from Kate \u201cYou do need to be intentional about building the kind of life you want, the habits you form, and about how you treat the people around you. Rather than mostly leaving all that to instinct or reacting as things come, there\u2019s a lot of power in knowing yourself and listening to your inner world, having strong resources in the form of your relationships with others, and being deliberate about balancing your life.\u201d &nbsp; About Kate Marshall Kate Marshall is a qualified counsellor and the founder of Serenity Counselling, based in Ingle Farm, South Australia. She specialises in family and relationship therapy, emotional regulation, grief and trauma, and offers a calm, empathetic space for growth and healing. Kate is passionate about helping others live in alignment with their values and build lives of connection and balance. www.serenitycounselling.com.au Facebook Instagram","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/www.aipc.net.au\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Karien-Marshall.jpeg","thumbnail_width":712,"thumbnail_height":839}