Counselling
Counselling in Sydney and Online
Counselling can be helpful when something in your life has become difficult to manage, but you are not necessarily looking for intensive or long-term psychotherapy. You may be dealing with anxiety, low mood, workplace pressure, grief, relationship stress, or a significant life change. You might need help making a decision, understanding your reactions, or finding a more effective way to manage what is happening now.
I provide individual counselling for people aged 16 and over from my private practice in Norwest, as well as online across Australia and selected international locations.
What Is Counselling?
Counselling is a collaborative process that helps you work through current concerns, understand your emotional responses, and identify practical ways forward.
It is generally focused on the present: what is happening, how it is affecting you, and what may help. This does not mean your past is ignored. Earlier experiences may be explored when they help explain a current reaction or pattern, but the work remains connected to the changes you would like to make in everyday life.
You do not need to arrive with a perfectly defined problem or an impressive set of therapy goals. Sometimes the starting point is simply recognising that the way you have been coping is no longer working particularly well.
When Counselling May Be Helpful
People seek counselling for many different reasons. Sometimes one specific situation has become overwhelming. At other times, several pressures have accumulated until even manageable things begin to feel harder.
Counselling may support you with:
Emotional Wellbeing
- Anger management
- Depression & low mood
- Emotional awareness & self-regulation
- Low self-esteem & self-worth
- Stress management
Life Challenges
- Grief and loss
- Identity and personal growth
- Life transitions
- Relationship difficulties
- Workplace stress
Specialised Support
- ADHD and ASD coaching
- Assertiveness training
- Parenting Support/Coaching
- Pornography addiction
- Spirituality/Religion
My Approach To Counselling
My approach is collaborative, practical, and individually tailored. I will not assume that one method works for everyone, because it usually does not. We begin by understanding what is happening from your perspective, what you have already tried, and what you would like to be different.
Some sessions may involve problem-solving, learning a new strategy, or preparing for a difficult conversation. Others may focus more on understanding an emotional reaction, recognising a pattern or having space to talk without needing to hold everything together. I aim to balance honest reflection with practical support. Counselling should help you understand yourself more clearly, but it should also connect with your actual life outside the room.
The methods used in counselling will depend on your concerns, preferences, and goals. These approaches are used flexibly rather than forcing every concern into a particular therapeutic model.
Therapeutic Approaches
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT supports you to manage difficult internal experiences while making choices that are more consistent with your values, rather than waiting to feel completely comfortable before taking action.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT can help you recognise how thoughts, feelings and behaviours influence one another. It may be used to challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and develop more effective responses.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) - Informed Practice
A practical approach that supports emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and more effective communication. DBT-informed strategies can help you manage intense emotions, respond less impulsively, and positively navigate difficult situations.
Mindfulness, Grounding and Psychoeducation
Learning how stress, emotions and the nervous system operate can make difficult experiences feel less confusing. Mindfulness and grounding strategies may help you respond more deliberately rather than reacting automatically.
Person-Centred Counselling
A collaborative approach that places importance on your perspective, autonomy, and individual experience. You are supported to explore concerns without being told what you should think or do.
Solution-Focused Therapy
This approach concentrates on your strengths, what is already helping, and the small, realistic changes that can improve your current situation.
What Happens During Counselling?
Your first session gives us time to discuss what has brought you to counselling, what has been affecting you, and what you hope to gain from the process.
Counselling does not follow an identical formula for every person. Some clients arrive with one clearly defined goal. Others need time to understand what the real issue is beneath the issue they initially came in with—which is not especially unusual.
The work can be brief and focused or continue over a longer period, depending on your circumstances and needs. There are no fixed number of sessions you are expected to attend.
Here’s how we’ll work together:
Initial Session
- Getting to know one another and building rapport
- Clarifying the concerns that feel most important
- Discussing your current circumstances and relevant background
- Identifying realistic goals for counselling
- Agreeing on an initial focus and way forward
Ongoing Sessions
- Exploring current thoughts, emotions and behaviours
- Recognising patterns, triggers and barriers
- Learning and practising practical coping strategies
- Applying new insights and skills to everyday life
- Reviewing progress and adjusting goals when needed
My Commitment to You
- Privacy and confidentiality within professional limits
- Respectful, compassionate and non-judgmental support
- An approach tailored to your individual needs
- Respect for your values, choices, identity and pace
- Honest, collaborative conversations without pressure
How Counselling May Help
Counselling can help you step back from what is happening and look at it with greater clarity. When you feel stressed, overwhelmed, or stuck in familiar patterns, it can be difficult to separate what you are feeling from what you actually need.
The aim is not to tell you what to do or offer a quick fix. Instead, counselling gives you space to consider different perspectives, understand what may be contributing to the problem, and develop strategies that suit your circumstances, personality, and values.
Over time, this may help you manage difficult emotions, communicate more clearly, strengthen boundaries, and feel more confident making decisions. Progress is not always dramatic; sometimes it begins with feeling less overwhelmed, responding differently in a difficult moment or finally understanding something that previously felt confusing. Counselling cannot guarantee that other people will become reasonable, work will suddenly become stress-free, or life will stop being inconvenient. It can help you respond with greater clarity, flexibility and confidence.
When Another Service May Be More Suitable
This page relates specifically to individual counselling for people aged 16 and over.
Another service may be more appropriate when:
- You are seeking deeper work involving longstanding patterns, trauma or formative experiences — Psychotherapy
- The primary concern involves the relationship between partners — Couples Counselling
- Several family members need to participate — Family Therapy
- The person seeking support is under 18 — Counselling for Young People
- You want counselling that deliberately incorporates Christian faith — Christian Counselling
- You are a counsellor or practitioner seeking professional support — Professional Supervision
Choosing the right service is not always obvious. A brief introductory conversation can help clarify where to begin.
A free introductory conversation can help clarify the most appropriate place to begin.
Flexible Session Options
For Counselling
Counselling needs to fit realistically into your life. For that reason, I offer several ways to attend sessions. Regardless of the format, you can expect the same focus on confidentiality, professionalism, genuine connection, and individualised support.
Some people find that a combination of in-person and telehealth sessions works best for their needs and lifestyle.
You can choose the option that works best for you:
In-Person Sessions
- You can attend sessions in my private counselling office at 20/1 Maitland Place, Norwest NSW 2153. The practice is conveniently located near Norwest Metro, with public transport access and free parking available. Many people value the separation that comes with attending a dedicated counselling space, particularly when privacy or interruptions at home may be an issue.
Telehealth Sessions
- Individual counselling is also available through secure video appointments. Telehealth may suit you if you live outside the Hills District, have mobility or transport difficulties, manage a busy schedule, or simply feel more comfortable attending from home. You will need a private space, a reliable internet connection and, ideally, somewhere you are unlikely to be interrupted by family members asking where the charger is.
Phone Sessions
- Phone counselling may also be available for individual clients who prefer not to use video or who have limited internet access. We can discuss whether phone sessions are suitable for your needs before booking.
Book a Free 15-minute Introductory Call
If you are uncertain about beginning counselling or which service may be appropriate, I offer a free 15-minute introductory phone call. This is an opportunity to briefly discuss what you are seeking support with, ask questions, and get a sense of whether I may be the right counsellor for you. It is not a counselling session or a commitment to book an appointment – it is simply a straightforward conversation to help you decide what comes next.
Book a SessionIn-Person Therapy Location In Sydney
We can work together in my private counselling space in Norwest, NSW, or via video call or phone call for those who prefer remote sessions. The office is conveniently located close to the metro and public transport, with free parking available.
Location
- 20/1 Maitland Place, Norwest NSW 2153
Opening Hours
- Monday: 11:00am – 8:15pm
- Wednesday & Friday: 10:30am – 6:30pm
- Tuesday & Thursday: 10:00am – 6:00pm
- Saturday: 10:30am – 4:30pm
Contact Details
Frequently Asked Questions
Taking the first step towards counselling can bring up a lot of questions. Here are some helpful answers about how counselling works.
This service provides individual counselling for adults aged 16 and over. It may suit people seeking support with anxiety, low mood, stress, grief, workplace pressure, relationship difficulties, emotional regulation, boundaries, or significant life changes.
Separate services are available for young people, couples, and families.
Counselling can support a wide range of emotional, personal, and practical concerns. These may include anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, grief, low self-worth, anger, relationship difficulties, workplace pressure, parenting stress, neurodivergence, and major life transitions.
You do not need a formal diagnosis or a perfectly defined problem before seeking support.
Counselling is generally more focused on current concerns, practical support, and changes you would like to make in everyday life. Psychotherapy often involves deeper exploration of longstanding emotional patterns, formative experiences, trauma, or difficulties that continue to reappear over time. There can be overlap between the two, and we can discuss which approach best suits your needs.
Counselling may help you understand your thoughts and emotions more clearly, recognise recurring patterns, and develop more effective ways of managing difficult situations. It can also support clearer communication, healthier boundaries, greater confidence in decision-making, and practical strategies for managing stress or emotional overwhelm. The benefits will vary depending on your circumstances and goals.
In-person appointments are available at my private counselling practice at: 20/1 Maitland Place, Norwest NSW 2153. The office is located near Norwest Metro, with public transport access and free parking available.
Secure video and phone appointments are also available across Australia and may be considered for clients in selected international locations.
No. You do not need a referral from a GP, psychiatrist or other health professional to book counselling.
You can contact me directly, book through the online portal, or begin with a free 15-minute introductory phone call.
The first session gives us time to get to know one another and discuss what has brought you to counselling. We may explore your current concerns, relevant background, existing supports and what you would like to gain from the process. You do not need to prepare a speech or know exactly where to begin. We can work that out together.
Standard counselling appointments are 60 minutes.
Longer appointments may be available in some circumstances, depending on your needs and the nature of the work. This can be discussed before booking.
There is no fixed number of counselling sessions. Some people attend for a brief period to work through a particular concern, while others continue for longer. The duration will depend on your circumstances, goals, and how the work develops. We can review your progress and the ongoing focus together.
Yes. Your privacy and confidentiality are taken seriously.
There are limited legal and ethical circumstances where information may need to be disclosed, such as when there is a serious risk of harm or disclosure is required by law. These limits will be explained clearly as part of the counselling process.
Yes. Individual counselling is available through secure video appointments, and phone sessions may also be suitable in some circumstances.
Online counselling may be helpful if you live outside the Hills District, have mobility or transport difficulties, travel regularly or simply prefer to attend from home.
Counselling may be suitable when you want support with a current concern, emotional difficulty, decision, relationship issue or significant life change. Psychotherapy may be more appropriate when you want to explore deeper or longstanding patterns. Couples counselling, family therapy and counselling for young people are available when the concern involves partners, several family members or someone under 18.
A free introductory call can help clarify the most suitable place to begin.
Explore Related Therapy Services
In addition to the counselling service, I offer several complementary services to support your mental health and relationship needs.
