Ricky Probst

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Holistic practitioner combining the mind, body and nervous system 

Ricky has extensive training in a variety of modalities including psychotherapy, brain spotting, Schema Therapy, ACT, meditation and mindfulness, polyvagal toning and many more. Using a combination of traditional psychotherapy and non-invasive trauma focussed body work clients are able to heal all aspects of their being.

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Prior to becoming a Psychotherapist, Ricky worked in a variety of fields including Public Relations, Politics and Finance.

Ricky lives on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland. He is a member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

Ricky has previously worked as a Psychotherapist at a Rehabilitation Centre on the Sunshine Coast, Bower Place Clinic in Adelaide, and as a Complex Needs Case Manager collaborating with the Department of Mental Health in Canberra, ACT. 

In addition to his private practice, Ricky presents psycho-educational seminars and is an advocate for increasing awareness of mental health issues and building personal and community resilience.

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Formal Qualifications and Training

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• Graduate Diploma of Psychology, Monash University.

• Bachelor of Arts (Political Science and International Relations), University of Queensland.

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Russ Harris ACT Mindfully Institute.

• Fundamentals of Neuroscience, Harvard University.

• The Science of Wellbeing, Yale University.

• Psychological First Aid, John Hopkins University.

• The Mindsight Approach to Wellbeing Comprehensive Course, Mindsight Institute.

• Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills, University of Pennsylvania

• HeartMath Facilitator, HeartMath Institute.

• Identifying Early Signs of Psychosis in Adolescents and Young Adults, Stanford Medicine.

• Social Psychology, Wesleyan University.

• Anatomy: Human Neuroanatomy, Michigan University.

• Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory, Psychotherapy Excellence UK.

• Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, University of California, Berkley Greater Good Science Centre.

• Brainspotting, Brainspotting Trainings LLC.

• Current Blue Card, Queensland.

• Registered Commissioner for Declarations, Queensland. 

Charlie Hindle

Trauma-informed breath work and bodywork

Charlie uses a range of different breathing techniques and exercises to facilitate relaxation and release of tension, stress and trauma in the body. Charlie is dedicated to providing trauma-informed care, and can work with Ricky (at your request) to provide a holistic program to manage traumatic stress. 

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Breathwork - Conscious Connected Breathing

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This type of breath work relies on conscious breathing where you are focussing solely on the breath, with no pauses between the inhale and the exhale. This is the same connected breathing that we do as babies and young children. 

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When we are confronted with challenges in life, our first reaction can often be to hold or restrict our breathing. Although this is part of our body’s natural fight, flight, or freeze response and is important during a stressful or traumatic event, it is not helpful on a day-to-day basis. When our body and nervous system get “stuck” in these states, it can result in physical symptoms such as tension or pain. There doesn’t need to be a large traumatic event for this to happen - there are a lot of stressful experiences in life, and small things can add up over time.

Doing this type of gentle connected breathing allows us to release blockages from the buildup of stress and tension stored in the body. It can help you relax, manage physical and emotional pain, support a deeper connection to your body, and assist with energy, general wellbeing and peace of mind. 

You will be guided throughout the session to help maintain focus on your breath. All you need to do show up and be willing to surrender into the experience and allow yourself the space to release whatever it is that is no longer serving you.

The sessions can be done individually, with partners, or in small groups. Each appointment takes up to 2 hours.

Bodywork - Trauma Release and Relaxation Exercises

Stress, tension and trauma responses are physiological as well as psychological. For this reason, a balanced approach which addresses both the psychological and physical aspects is the most effective way to address stress and trauma.

Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE®) help the body release stress, tension and trauma from deep in your muscles. Doing these exercises is a safe and effective way to activate the natural reflex mechanism of shaking in our muscles which releases tension and calms down the nervous system. Activating this natural response encourages the body to return back to a state of balance. 

Exercises which stimulate the vagus nerve (the largest nerve in our bodies) can also reduce stress, anxiety and inflammation by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.