Why the Pay It Forward Fund Exists

As a trauma therapist, I’ve seen it time and time again — people in our community trapped in a cycle where unresolved trauma has taken a severe toll on their mental health.

They're unable to function, unable to work, and often relying on Centrelink just to get by. The depression deepens. The debt grows. And the hope fades.

The ones who need trauma therapy the most are often the ones who can’t afford it. While free mental health services exist, they usually come with long waitlists — and rarely offer trauma-specific therapy, which is very different from traditional talk therapy. Medicare rebates also doesn't cover the full fee at all, and most therapists are unable to offer Medicare rebates, as only Psychologists and Mental Health Social workers are allowed to register with Medicare as service providers, Psychotherapists and Counsellors can currently not offer this benefit to their clients.

Without the right support, these individuals fall through the cracks, left barely surviving instead of living and contributing to society.

I reached a point where I was torn — I needed to sustain myself financially, but was constantly confronted with clients apologizing for having to cancel or reschedule because they needed to choose between therapy and medication, groceries, or their child’s school needs.

The emotional weight of working like this full-time began to burn me out, and I had to make a shift.

At the same time, I began working with high-performing, C-suite professionals. These clients were deeply committed to the process — showing up, notebooks in hand, ready to do the work. I loved their energy, their readiness, and their respect for the process. They reminded me why I do this work.

And from that, the Pay It Forward Fund was born.

This fund allows my high-earning clients — who’ve experienced their own growth and healing through our work — to contribute financially to therapy sessions for those who can't afford it. These clients generally are the more complex and comorbid cases of our community, and need longer term therapy in order to fully recover.

Your contribution becomes a lifeline for someone stuck in survival mode. It gives them access to the tools and support they need to heal, grow, and re-enter life as resilient, empowered members of society.

While I’m not a registered nonprofit and can’t offer tax benefits, this is a contribution of a different kind. It may be the worst financial decision you ever make — but in every other way, it may be the most meaningful one.