Online Counselling for Yacht Crew

Private, Solutions-Focused Therapy with a Qualified Counsellor and Ex-yachtie

PACFA

Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia

University of Cape Town

BSc Social Science, Double Major in Psychology and Organisational Psychology

ACAP logo

Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling

BOOK YOUR CONFIDENTIAL DISCOVERY CALL​

BOOK Here for A DISCOVERY CALL

Have you ever felt exhausted, anxious and alone, but didn’t know who to talk to and how to move forward..?

If you’re a yacht crew member who is feeling stuck or overwhelmed and you need to make healthy and positive changes in your life, you can start the journey today.

The counselling sessions for yacht crew I offer are:

Confidential – Your bookings will never be disclosed to anyone. What is discussed during your sessions stays at your sessions.

Yachting-specific – As a former chief stewardess and the owner of a leading training brand offering excellence in on board teaming building workshops, leadership intensives and coaching for yacht crew, I understand the unique demands and culture of our industry from the get-go.

Effective – My clients have overcome a range of issues from burnout to bullying, sexual harassment to depression and anxiety. As I understand the on board environment and pressures of yachting, I provide clients with long-term solutions that work.

Evidence-based – I apply modern evidence-based practices, backed by my qualifications in psychology and counselling, and my years of experience as a clinician and counsellor.

Convenient – Counselling from the convenience of your device at a time that suits you. I have availability for all time zones.

Myth: “If you can’t handle the pressure, it’s not the right industry for you”

Endurance and resilience are highly valued traits for most roles in the yachting industry. So it’s not uncommon to hear statements like, “If you can’t handle the pressure, it’s not the right industry for you” or variations such as, “Just move on” or “Toughen up”. 

But have you ever heard these words uttered in relation to a serious physical injury? When was the last time you heard of a captain being asked to work with a broken arm or a bosun with a spinal injury expected to abandon their rehab treatment to start charter season?

Physical injuries are usually taken seriously, and seeing a doctor, physiotherapist or other specialists isn’t seen as a source of shame. The same cannot be said when seeking help for stress, emotional trauma and psychological injuries. While mental health issues are not as visible, they can affect our well being as much as physical injuries. Despite society’s changing attitudes towards mental health care, therapy still carries a stigma in the yachting industry.

Therefore, it’s very telling that a staggering 75% of crew members believe the industry isn’t doing enough to deal with mental health problems and look after the well-being of crew; 70% believe there is no support in place for crew members who need mental healthcare.

If you struggle with mental health problems involving burnout, sexual harassment, bullying, trauma, depression and anxiety, you’re not in the minority. It’s more common than you think.

In the yachting industry:

Mental health-svg

72% of crew suffer from mental health conditions or know someone who has

See footnotes - 1

40% of crew have experienced unwanted physical contact on board

See footnotes - 2

50% of crew have experienced unwanted sexual or sexist comments on board

See footnotes - 3

51% of crew have experienced depression

See footnotes - 4

45% of crew have experienced anxiety and panic attacks

See footnotes - 5

13% of crew have experienced suicidal thoughts

See footnotes - 6

19% of crew have experienced Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

See footnotes - 7

In the maritime shipping industry:

26% of seafarers show signs of depression

See footnotes - 8

17% of seafarers suffer from anxiety

See footnotes - 9

20% of seafarers have contemplated suicide or self-harm

See footnotes - 10

Footnotes

1 – Yachting-Pages

2, 3 – Dockwalk

4, 5, 6, 7 – “What is the Status of Mental Health Among Superyacht Crew – A Research Project” by the Cornwall College Group

8, 9, 10 – Nautilusint

As you can see from the above statistics, it’s common for crew to suffer from high levels of stress and mental health issues on board. Crew may experience the inability to focus, sleep problems, diminishing confidence, deteriorating personal relationships, among other symptoms. Fortunately, the right mental health care can provide healthy long-term solutions.

Since engaging with our counselling service, crew members have developed resilience and effective coping skills and have been able to re-establish a healthy way of living.

Whether you want to overcome a specific obstacle or improve your general quality of life, counselling can help you reach your goals.

Online Counselling Services for Yacht Crew

Yachting is already a more demanding environment than most – with its long hours, confined working and living quarters and a heavy workload.

Meanwhile, stressful life events occurring back at home, such as the death of a loved one or a relationship break up, can bring about distressing thoughts and impact your levels of productivity. 

What can be even worse is when the problems you’re facing are on board. Harassment and bullying by other crew members, clients or even the yacht owner, are common problems. When you’re living and working in the same place 24/7, it can be difficult to remove yourself from the environment immediately or find someone to confide in without feeling like a burden.

Harassment and bullying should not be tolerated – you have the right to feel both physically and emotionally safe at all times. If you’re the target of these unacceptable behaviours, or feel overwhelmed and fearful of your safety, I urge you to book a complimentary 15 minute discovery call with me, your mental health should always be prioritised.

Book my 15 minute discovery session.

Here are some of the common types of counselling that I offer my clients, as well as useful resources.

Burnout Prevention & Treatment

Burnout is rife in yachting. Learn sustainability strategies to prevent and treat burnout and regain your energy.

Yachting International Radio video on Burnout and Mental Exhaustion

Sexual Harassment Counselling

Share in a safe space and discuss strategies on how to  deal with harassment.

Article on Sexual Harassment Within the Superyacht Industry.

Bullying
Counselling

Bullying is all too common in yachting. Discuss practical ways of dealing with bullies in the short and long term.

Article on Why are Bullies, Bullies?

 

Mental Health

The demanding nature of yachting can trigger or worsen anxiety and depression. Undergo therapies that will help you treat and manage the underlying causes.

Yachting International Radio video on how Holly worked through depression in therapy.

AOD

Alcohol and drugs are often used as a crutch to cope with other problems. We focus on how to treat, recover from and manage addictions to drugs and alcohol and deal with the root causes.

Yachting International Radio piece: 

Couples Therapy

A productive and positive way in addressing hurdles in your relationship so that you can achieve a healthy and happy relationship moving forward.

Single Counselling Session

 
€ 132
00
  • Single 1 hr Session
Buy Now

6 Counselling Sessions

15% PERCENT OFF
€ 670
00
  • 6 X 1 hr sessions
Click Here
Popular

My Therapeutic Solutions and Background

My name is Karine Rayson and I’m a former superyacht chief stewardess and the Director of The Crew Coach. 

As a counsellor, I help clients to find greater life satisfaction by overcoming one’s personal limitations. I’m passionate about providing clients with a safe, non-judgemental space to promote overall growth and well being, and improve their self-esteem and confidence. 

Below are the types of therapies I use:

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy
  • Solution-focused therapy
  • Person-centred therapy
  • Positive psychology 

I possess a wealth of clinical experience in mental healthcare, having worked in correctional facilities across Australia as well as providing hundreds of client hours to yacht crew. I’ve helped clients recover from substance addiction, depression and anxiety, and grief and trauma. Having previously worked in male prisons and with female parolees, I specialise in both men’s health and women’s health. I’m adept at helping clients to process distressing events and deal with workplace issues and other personal problems or challenges.

 As a mental health educator, my passion for mental health has led me to facilitate onboard and virtual workshops on how to deal with a range of mental health issues and produce free online resources. Furthermore, for three years, I’ve done weekly spots on The Wellbeing Project, a video channel that provides free resources on mental healthcare for yacht crew. In early 2021, I was elected to the Professional Yachting Association Network for the Wellbeing committee, and I have also been awarded the Acrew Duty of Care. 

Karine Rayson

Online Counselling Services for Yacht Crew

3 Step Process For Booking a Counselling Session

If you’re a new client seeking online counselling for yacht crew, just follow this easy process.

 

  1. “Get-to-Know You” – Book an initial 15 minute session at a time that suits you – it’s at no cost to you and obligation-free.

 

  1. “Let’s Meet” – I’ll email you a 15 minute appointment link via Zoom and to help me understand you and your challenges a little better, and you can experience my approach and ask questions.

 

  1. “Further Catch-ups” – From there, the decision is all yours. For counselling to be effective, you need to feel that you can develop a therapeutic relationship with me before making a commitment. If you would like to book individual sessions or a pack of 6 sessions with a 15% discount. The cost is €132 including GST for a one hour session.

“Let’s meet” – complimentary 15 minute discovery session

If you feel that counselling may be a helpful solution to your needs or have any questions, please book your free 15 minute call by clicking on the button above..
Click here

Single
session

If you’re an existing client book an appointment by clicking on the above button. Please note upfront payment is required before booking

Click here

Purchase 6 sessions
(most popular)

There is a 15% discount available for a bulk purchase of 6 sessions. These sessions do not expire.
Click here

All sessions are strictly confidential, insightful and tailored to your needs, providing you with a safe space to unload. Talk with a qualified, experienced counsellor and ex-yachtie who gets it.

Clients Share About Their Experiences working with karine

I have had counselling sessions before, but they were not even close to delivering the results that I got out of my counselling sessions with Karine. Working with Karine has been a pleasure and I would recommend her services to anyone who seeks self-development, she goes far beyond her professional responsibilities to help and that is a rare find. I am so happy that I found her, and will continue to use her services in the future.
TanyaChief Stew
Working with Karine was easy, fun and really introspective, you can feel her passion for helping others is honest and comes from a place of care/love. I was needing & craving to express through words all my repressed feelings -emotions and unfortunately I was not able to do this with anyone around me. Each session we ease into each subject and/or whatever rises at that given moment and we observed the situation, talked about it and found tools to improve it or cope with it. After the session, it was easier for me to reflect and accept whatever I was feeling without beating myself up about it.
SamChief Stew
My alcohol consumption has dropped dramatically which has resulted in more exercise, a healthier diet, and a clearer head. The communication between myself and my husband is so much better and we both feel happier with me having sought help from Karine. The biggest takeaway from working with Karine was understanding and controlling my emotional behavior and developing my communication skills. Self-care and self-awareness are skills she really encouraged and I really feel a huge benefit from them. I really feel like I’ve changed the way I look at life and that you can really feel happy and fulfilled with the right support and that it’s totally ok to seek guidance. I loved working with Karine, she’s so incredibly caring, understanding, uplifting, nurturing and all-round beautiful soul.
SallyHead Chef
My alcohol consumption has dropped dramatically which has resulted in more exercise, a healthier diet, and a clearer head. The communication between myself and my husband is so much better and we both feel happier with me having sought help from Karine.
SallyHead Chef
Karine’s support and guidance has played the most significant role in my success this season and I cannot thank her enough for the incredible time and effort she puts into everything she does. I feel valued and appreciated as a person, which in turn leaves me forever grateful. I am proud of what we’ve achieved so far, and I look forward to what’s ahead. I can only hope more crew take the time to invest in themselves as there is no one more important than yourself. When I found myself back in yachting after a long and unplanned break, I knew that finding consistent support would be my number one priority in helping to manage my mental health and relationships on board. A few months down the line and a busy season nearing the end, it has been by far the best investment I have ever made in myself and my future.
HollyBosun
I chose to invest in your mental health because the option of doing nothing doesn’t exist. Mental health is so important for everyone. Before I engaged in my sessions with Karine I was feeling pretty low, highly anxious and depressed. I chose to work with Karine because she came recommended and I liked the fact she had been in the industry so could relate directly to my work concerns as well as other concerns. I very quickly felt at ease talking to her and confident in what she was telling me. Since then, I have experienced a change in thinking, a gradual move towards being more understanding of what and why. It is a relaxed but productive time together, I value Karine’s guidance.
JamesCaptain
Working with Karine has been life-changing not only has it helped me get through depression and burnout but has changed the way I approach work & life. Before my life didn't matter it was all about work she helped me realise that there must be balance and this has led me to significant clarity on the way forward for my life and the need for boundaries around work demands.
NickCaptain
Before I engaged in my sessions with Karine I was feeling Hopeless, Frustrated and Lost, since working with Karine I have been able to come to terms with the fact that we all go through difficult stages in life, and that there are people out there that are knowledgeable and are willing and able to help, advise and guide. Karine has helped me work through the difficulties I was experiencing and has given me the tools, knowledge and power to navigate my own emotions, thoughts and actions towards constructive and positive outcomes in both my professional and personal life paths. Karine has such a beautiful presence & is one of the easiest people to have a good constructive and enlightening conversation with. The sessions are a place to open up and hear a different perspective on one's emotions and situations.
D.CHead Chef
I chose to work with Karine because I needed to speak with someone with an outside perspective on my life Since then, I have found clarity on what kind of life I want to live. I learnt about what my core beliefs are and how they may be limiting me. Karine guided me to focus on what my future goals are. Working with Karine is a very open and reflective experience without any judgement or pressure. Karine makes herself readily available and is very accommodating to your time schedule, which can be hard when working with people in our industry! I choose to invest in your mental health because being in a focused and healthy mindset is so important and Karine has always been able to see the positives and guide me in the right direction
ZoeChief Stew
Before I engaged in my sessions with Karine I was feeling unsupported, overwhelmed, depressed. I chose to work with Karine because she has the ability to understand, make me feel like there is always a solution and be more compassionate towards myself during hard times. She made me feel like we have known each other for a long time and she makes me feel safe to open up and share. Since our sessions together I have experienced confidence, calm, optimism, patience, trust in my abilities and in others, hope and joy. If someone asked me to describe working with Karine I would use the words safe and friendly space of understanding, support and inspiration I recommend investing in your mental health because it is way too precious to neglect it.
NatalieChief Stew

INVEST IN YOUR MENTAL HEALTH TODAY

BOOK Here for A DISCOVERY CALL