“I thought I had it all figured out, until Kara touched under the surface and I met myself in a way I never had before.”
~ Steph, Counsellor, Brisbane ~
ABOUT ME
Hi, I’m Kara!
I am a Brisbane based Relationship Breakdown & Divorce coach, space holder, and writer. I specialise in Conscious Uncoupling™ and supporting individuals to consciously navigate relationship breakdowns, divorce and the Family Law system. I am passionate about all things that nourish and facilitate holistic growth, transformation and healing of the whole self: the mind, body, heart and soul.
I graduated from Griffith University on the Gold Coast in 2007 with degrees in law (honours) and psychological science and practiced as a lawyer the better part of 15 years (with over 10 years of experience in family and divorce law). You can check out my CV below.
I also am avid life long learner who is always participating in a course or reading a book designed to expand my personal knowledge, growth, healing and/or spirituality. I love gaining new awareness and perspective and believe you cannot have too many personal growth/development tools in your belt. Perhaps most importantly however, I am a forever a Mum in training, to a very strong-willed, independent little boy who is the joy of my life - his name literally translates to “bringer of joy” and he has lived up to that. He is my greatest inspiration for the healing and transformational work I engage in for myself and now offer to you!
I have always been drawn to growth and healing. Though like many, I allowed societal pressures and the views of others to define my meaning of success and for many years I got a bit lost in my path. However, when we are off course, the universe loves to course-correct us in tower-crashing fashion and I am no exception.
In 2017 at the mere age of 32, I suffered a stroke and what followed was a year-long health crisis as I continued to suffer neurological disturbances whilst undergoing medical investigations as to the underlying cause. Ultimately, I was diagnosed with a rare brain condition known as Moya Moya disorder. Thereafter I underwent brain surgery which can most simply be described as a brain artery bypass to treat the symptoms of my condition.
This series of life-changing events catapulted me back to remembering my core passions and purpose as a facilitator of growth and transformation, as I was forced to slow down for the first time in my life! I had always loved baths and had an interest in meditation. However, it wasn’t until meditation became part of my medically recommended stroke rehabilitation program that I integrated meditation into a life practice. With my love of baths, I was naturally drawn to meditate in a salt bath for extended periods during my recovery.
I truly believe my meditative salt bath practice significantly aided in my healing process physically, emotionally and spiritually. You can read more about this in the compilation books I have contributed to - Mother’s Making A Difference and Finding Yourself After Stroke - both of these books are available to purchase via my shop.
While I did return to legal practice following my stroke for a number of years, I remained committed to my personal growth, healing and spirituality with a newfound perspective and outlook on life. And as I said above, my son has been a source of deeper awakening, healing and transformation.
Through my personal experiences as a child the subject of a high-conflict divorce, a woman who has experienced two of my own marriage breakdowns and as a professional, practicing family and divorce law, I have come to believe that there has to be a better more holistic and conscious way of managing such relationships breakdowns, challenges and conflicts. My stroke journey also awakened within me a knowing that there has to be a better way of living than simply showing up to the thankless daily grind that sees us invest so much time and energy without the capacity to use our gifts to our fullest protentional and leaves many feeling rather empty.
I am now fully aware of the fact that our world and the people in it, are in dire need of being supported in growth, transformation and healing that will create the space for them to thrive through leading a more authentic life and cultivate genuine relationships and connections that are not just deeply nurturing, loving and healthy, but are profoundly fulfilling.
Everywhere I look, I see people desperately crying out for the creation of new ways of living, relating and being on this wonderful planet we call home, that are far more healthy, connected, and enriching than society has become accustomed to.
This epiphany led me to where I am now, stepping into my truth, my path, and my present purpose. That being to facilitate holistic transformational growth and healing in others in a way that will empower them to show up authentically and consciously create the life, connections, and relationships of their dreams amidst the turmoil of relationship breakdowns.
I have found the most joyful and fulfilling means of expressing my purpose is by being the space to birth this transformation in others through relationship breakdown and divorce coaching, workshops, and women’s circles.
When we facilitate healing in one, we facilitate healing in the many. Such is the profound ripple effect of holistic transformational growth and healing. I am so excited and grateful to be provided with the opportunity in this life to facilitate transformation in those who feel aligned to connect with me and to be able to witness the ripple effect of healing in your life.
I so look forward to connecting and being a part of your journey from surviving to thriving!
Love,
I’d love to facilitate your growth, healing and transformation. Discover how you can connect with me and find your way home to the thriving life and relationships you were born to experience….
CIRRICULUM VITAE
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts - Psychological Science - Kara Chamaine Burgess 2007
Admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland – Kara Chamaine Burgess, March 2009
Admitted to the High Court of Australia - Kara Chamaine Burgess, September 2009
Legal Practising Certificate – Eligible, but not renewed such that I am not currently licensed to practice law and I do not provide legal services or advice at this time.
Conscious Uncoupling Coach - Certified 29 April 2024
PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
June 2015 – February 2023
Elliott & Harvey Lawyers, Upper Mount Gravatt
Solicitor
Elliott & Harvey Lawyers is a small general firm in Upper Mount Gravatt. The firm mainly specialises in family law, general litigation and commercial matters (including conveyancing and wills & estate planning). Its clients include corporate clients, small businesses and private individuals.
The bulk of my practice was predominantly in family law, however, I was also responsible for general disputes, litigation, estate disputes and personal injury matters within the firm. During my time at Elliott and Harvey Lawyers, I was able to bring all matters I had carriage of to a satisfactory settlement with the exception of matters that were still on foot when I ceased my employment.
August 2009 – June 2015
Johnsons Solicitors & Attorneys, Southport
Associate
Johnsons Solicitors was a small general firm in Southport on the Gold Coast. The firm mainly specialised in general litigation and commercial matters (including conveyancing and wills & estate planning). Its clients include corporate clients, small business and private individuals. My practice was predominantly in the area of general litigation, however, I began my practice in family law during my time at this boutique firm.
January 2009 – May 2009
Potts Lawyers
Trainee Solicitor/Solicitor
I completed remainder of my Supervised Traineeship – Criminal Law Component and was employed as a Solicitor from my admission on 16 March 2009. During my time with this firm I engaged in criminal law and civil practice.
2008 – 2009
Price & Roobottom Solicitors, Southport
Trainee Solicitor
I completed the majority of my Supervised Traineeship in the areas of Litigation, Property & Commercial Law (including conveyancing, wills & estates) and Criminal Law.
EDUCATION
Tertiary Education 2003 – 2007
Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Behavioural Science
Griffith University Gold Coast Campus
Secondary Education 1998 – 2002
High School Certificate
Clontarf Beach State High School
VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
2024 - Current: Lived Experience Committee Member, Centre of Research Excellence to Accelerate
Stroke Trial Innovation and Translation
2024 - Current: Manager of Brisbane, Logan and Gold Coast Spiritual Entrepreneurs Networking Group
2023: Founded the Brisbane, Logan and Gold Coast Spiritual Entrepreneurs Networking Group
Stallholder and speaker for fundraising event Meant to Rise
2022: Dry July
2022: Contributory author to the compilation book Finding Yourself After Stroke – Young Stroke Survivors
2021: Contributory author to the compilation book Mother’s Making a Difference
2018: Dry July
2017: Solely organized a charity fundraiser to provide support for the Hepatitis Foundation
2015-2017: Volunteer assistant with Advance Property Strategies
Any QUESTIONS? LET’S CHAT.
HAVE QUESTIONS OR JUST WANT TO CHAT?