About Me
Katherine Foster
Career Development Specialist, Counsellor and AuthorKatherine Foster is a highly experienced and nationally registered Career Development Specialist (CDAA), Counsellor (ACA), and published Author. With a deep understanding of life’s challenges and transitions, Katherine is dedicated to guiding her clients through similar periods of change. She helps individuals explore their options, develop their self-concept, and understand how their past experiences may be influencing their communication and interactions with the world around them, ultimately impacting their careers.
Professional Background
Prior to establishing her private practice, HR Aspects (Career Consultancy Service), in 2003, Katherine gained extensive experience in Human Resources and Administration across small, medium and multinational organisations. Her roles encompassed various HR functions, including Training Administration, Recruitment, Selection and Onboarding, Employment Correspondence, Exit Interviews and Reporting, Redundancy, Work Health and Safety, Workers’ Compensation, Award and EBA interpretation and application, Payroll Management (up to 330 weekly).
Throughout her career, Katherine has also demonstrated expertise in HR Reporting, Leave Management, Internal Recruitment and Selection, Labor Market Analysis, and HRIS Management. Her diverse experiences and credentials in Business (Human Resources) and Small Business Management equipped Katherine to offer comprehensive Career Consulting and Business (HR) Consultancy Services to individuals and small businesses alike from 2003.
Specialisations and Accreditations
In 2005, Katherine completed her Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Professional Accreditation Program (MBTI), enabling her to incorporate non-clinical psychometric assessment services based on personality types into her practice. Subsequently, in 2009, she obtained her Diploma in Professional Counselling with majors in Abuse Counselling, Career Counselling, Workplace Counselling, and Grief and Loss Counselling. This milestone prompted the rebranding of her business as Blu Ripples.
From 2009 to 2017, Katherine’s extensive experience in providing generalist Counselling Services to individuals and organisations independently and as an EAP Counselling Sub-Contractor for a renowned global EAP service provider. During this time, she also presented an emotional well-being workshop for a well-known not-for-profit organisation in Sydney, Co-Hosted a Coaching and Counselling Through Challenging Transition Webinar with CDAA NSW, and provided Workplace Counselling focused on Grief, Loss, and Bereavement to organisations both independently as a subcontracted EAP Counsellor. Her dedication to her profession was further demonstrated when she was elected as a NSW CDAA Committee Member, serving for two years between 2015 and 2017.
Katherine’s commitment to professional development led her to pursue certification in trauma and eye movement integration therapy (including EMDR) in 2016. Additionally, she graduated from RMIT in 2016 with a Postgraduate Diploma in Career Education and Development, further enhancing her expertise in the field.
Specialist Career Counselling and Consulting
In 2017, Katherine streamlined her practice to specialise in Career Counselling and Consulting. Today, she primarily works with high school students (15+ Years), youth, adults, and organisations tailoring her approach to meet the unique needs of each group.
Katherine’s recent accomplishments include a 15-minute career change radio interview with Louise Saunders of ABC Radio (Hobart) in 2020, which highlighted her expertise in the field. In 2023, she successfully published the “Self-Care—Awareness, Action, and Planning Workbook and Card Set,” a resource that has proven invaluable in helping individuals navigate periods of stress, crises, and burnout.
Mentor and Client Feedback
Katherine’s ability to apply practical experience to theoretical and innovative concepts has garnered consistent praise from higher tertiary educators. Her research, analysis, and reporting skills are highly regarded, all while maintaining a humble and approachable demeanor.
Clients and mentors alike describe Katherine as an inspiring, down-to-earth, knowledgeable, and empathetic facilitator. She is known for her active listening, ability to connect with others, and willingness to go the extra mile to support her clients on their career journeys. Many appreciate the fact that Katherine operates her practice from the comfort of her home, providing a peaceful and private environment for those seeking respite from the outside world.
With Katherine Foster as your guide, you can be confident that you will receive specialist career guidance, unwavering support, and the necessary tools to significantly enhance your chances of career advancements, job satisfaction, and personal growth. Her extensive experience and dedication to professional development ensure that you are in capable hands.
Key Education
Learn more about my education in order to build trust in my professional career counselling and consulting services#
Qualification
Award
Institution
01
Career Education and Development
Post Graduate Diploma
RMIT, Australia
02
Career Education and Development
Post Graduate Certificate
RMIT, Australia
04
Professional Counselling (Majors Career Workplace, Grief and Loss, Abuse)
Diploma
AIPC, Australia
05
Business (Human Resources)
Diploma (with Distinction)
TAFE, NSW, Australia
06
Human Resources
Certificate IV
TAFE, NSW, Australia
Achievements & Engagements
Learn more about my professional and academic achievements and giving back to industry and communitySelf-Care Book and Card Set, published by Intertype Publishing & Printing (2023)
Interviewed by ABC Radio Hobart for self-published blog article “Should I Apply For Jobs Now or Wait Until the Coronavirus Runs its Course” (2020)
Participant at Co-Design National Skills Commission Workshop, Sydney (2019)
Received International Honour Society membership for academic achievement in Career Education and Development (2016)
Graduated in the top 15% of Post Graduate Studies with RMIT (2016)
Coaching and Counselling Through Challenging Transition, Co-host – CDAA Webinar (2016)
CDAA (NSW) Committee Member, Volunteer (2015 – 2017)
Newcastle Lake Macquarie Career Expo, Peer Group Member (2015)
Delivered Emotional Well-Being Program for renowned national NPO, Sydney (2013)
Reinvent Your Career Expo, Sydney (2012 & 2014) – Volunteer at CDAA Stand
Accreditations & Certifications
Learn more about my accreditations and certifications that support and enhance my professional backgroundMental Health First Aider Accreditation (to be updated)
Provide First Aid Inc. CPR and Basic Emergency Life Support
Trauma and Eye Movement (Including EMDR) Integration Therapy
Recognise and Respond Appropriately to Domestic and Family Violence, SOA
DV-Alert (Domestic Violence Response Training), Lifeline, Certification
DISC (IML) – Accredited Practitioner
Specialist Accreditation HR 1 & 2; S5 – Psychometric Profiling – ACER Education
Myer Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Professional Accreditation Program – Accredited Practitioner
Clearances
Learn more about my clearancesPolice Check, Digital National Police Check Certificate, Issued 23 Apr 2024
Working With Children Check (WWC), Volunteer and Paid Positions, Expiry 12 Jan 2025