About Willow Tree Counselling
Willow Tree Counselling offers a compassionate and expert approach to guiding you towards healing and growth. We provide a safe, nurturing space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings, much like the sheltered sanctuary beneath a willow's drooping branches. Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your path, Willow Tree Counselling is here to support you on your journey of healing, helping you find strength and hope even in the midst of life's storms.
Common reasons people seek counselling
Trauma
Trauma is deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can profoundly impact your mental and physical well-being. It can arise from various situations, such as abuse, accidents, loss, or witnessing violence, and may leave you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected from yourself and others. If you're struggling with the effects of trauma, please know that you're not alone, and there is hope for healing. Counselling provides a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your feelings and experiences with a compassionate professional. Together, we can work on processing traumatic memories, developing coping strategies, and rebuilding your confidence and sense of personal power. Our goal is to help you navigate your unique healing journey, fostering resilience and empowerment along the way. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and with support, you can find greater ease in life and transform your trauma symptoms into opportunities for growth and healing.
Illness
Facing a serious illness can feel like standing in the middle of a storm—overwhelmed by uncertainty, grief, or even anger. You are not alone. As a counsellor with years of healthcare experience, I offer a safe, nurturing space where your fears, questions, and frustrations can be heard without judgment. Together, we’ll gently navigate the emotional weight of your diagnosis, whether you’re grappling with shock, feeling stuck in despair, or striving to reclaim control. Through compassionate support, we’ll work to untangle the complex emotions that illness brings, help you reconnect with your strengths, and find practical ways to adapt to your “new normal.” My approach integrates evidence-based strategies with a deep respect for your spiritual journey, allowing you to draw on your faith and inner resilience as you face treatment, rebuild routines, and nurture hope. Whether you need help processing grief, advocating for your needs, or restoring peace in relationships, our sessions will focus on honouring your story and empowering you to move forward with courage.
Common reasons people seek counselling
Grief & Loss
Grief and loss can touch our lives in profound ways, whether through the death of a loved one, the end of a significant relationship, a major life transition, or any experience that changes our sense of identity or expected future. During these difficult times, the pain may feel overwhelming, leaving you with intense emotions that come in waves—sadness, anger, confusion, or even numbness. Please know that your grief is valid, and you don't have to navigate this journey alone. Counselling provides a safe, non-judgmental space where you can express your unique loss experience, understand your feelings, and process them at your own pace. As your counsellor, I can walk alongside you with compassion, helping you to honour your loss while gently finding ways to integrate this experience into your life story. Together, we can explore healthy coping strategies, work through painful emotions, and eventually discover meaning that allows you to move forward—not by forgetting, but by building a new relationship with your loss that acknowledges both its significance and your capacity for healing.
Carers
As a carer, you shoulder the beautiful yet challenging responsibility of putting someone else's needs before your own—a journey that can be both deeply rewarding and profoundly exhausting. At times, you may feel invisible, your own needs fading into the background as you navigate the daily demands of caring for your loved one. Amid the physical exhaustion, disrupted sleep, and emotional strain, you might experience feelings of isolation, sadness, or even guilt when considering your own well-being. Counselling can provide a safe, nurturing space where you can express your feelings, fears, and frustrations without judgment. A place where your experiences are honoured, your feelings validated, and your needs prioritised. Together, we can explore strategies to manage stress, create moments of self-care within your busy schedule, and help you find balance without compromising the care you provide.
Book an online appointment
Booking an appointment at Willow Tree Counselling is easy and fast! All you need to do is click the "Book Appointment" button and select an available time that suits you. We are currently offering online sessions only. If you're unsure if this suits you, please send an email and we can arrange something more appropriate.
I'm so glad you're considering online counselling with Willow Tree Counselling. I want to reassure you that this journey we're about to embark on together is designed with your comfort and well-being in mind.
Our online counselling sessions offer a safe, secure, and convenient way for us to connect and work through your concerns. We use a trusted video platform that ensures your privacy is protected.
We'd love to offer you a free 15-minute phone consultation to briefly discuss your needs and give you an opportunity to ask questions. This will assist you in deciding if we would be the right fit before embarking on this journey together. You can book this by pressing the "Book Appointment" button at the top of this website.
Should you decide to continue, we'll schedule our first 90-minute session via the online platform. After that, our regular sessions will be 50-55 minutes long, but remember, you can always book a longer session if needed.
To prepare for your online session, I encourage you to find a quiet, private space where you feel comfortable. Have some water and tissues nearby and try to be ready about 5 minutes before our scheduled time.
All you'll need is a computer with a camera and a stable internet connection. Some people like to use headphones or earbuds, but this is not essential.
By taking these steps, you'll create an optimal setting for your online counselling experience, allowing you to focus fully on the session and maximise its benefits.
Remember, this is a journey we're taking together. I'm here to support you every step of the way, so please reach out if you have further questions via email or the contact form.
HOW DO I PAY FOR ONLINE COUNSELLING?
All payments are made when booking your appointment, allowing you to focus on what matters at the time of your session.
Should you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, you can do this no later than 24 hours before your appointment start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours before your appointment start time will not receive a refund. Please feel free to email if you have any questions regarding cancelling or if you need to reschedule your appointment.
FAQs
Mental health professionals, including psychologists and counsellors, share common goals in assisting clients but have distinct qualifications and roles. Psychologists complete university degrees and adhere to strict regulatory standards. At the same time, counsellors typically hold bachelor's degrees and sometimes master's qualifications, with ongoing supervision and professional development requirements. Both provide talk therapy and evidence-based interventions. However, psychologists have additional expertise in diagnosing mental health disorders and recommending medications. When selecting a therapist, it's crucial to consider their education and experience, but your connection and trust in them are equally important, as this relationship significantly impacts the effectiveness of therapy.
Unfortunately, Medicare does not currently recognise counsellors for Medicare rebates; however, some private insurance providers will.
Counsellors are guided by the Code of Ethics as set out by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and all laws and guidelines identified by federal and state law.
There are only a few instances that require us to breach privacy and confidentiality, including:
When you or someone else is at risk of harm
When we are subpoenaed to provide information by a court of law.
You will be informed of this requirement in all instances.
In our first session, we will discuss this further, and you will have an opportunity to ask any questions.
I understand that your past experiences with therapy may have left you feeling discouraged or hesitant to try again. It's important to recognise that negative experiences can happen for various reasons – perhaps you didn't feel heard, the therapist's approach didn't resonate with you, or there was a mismatch in personalities. These experiences, while unfortunate, don't reflect on you or your potential for growth and healing. Every therapist-client relationship is unique, and finding the right fit can take time. I encourage you to consider giving therapy another chance. A new perspective, a fresh approach, and a different personality might be just what you need to make progress on your journey. Remember, you deserve to be heard, supported, and understood. Your well-being is worth the effort of trying again, and you may find that this new experience opens doors to healing and personal growth that you hadn't imagined possible.
Welcome to your counselling journey. As you embark on this path of self-discovery and growth, it's natural to have questions about what to expect. Counselling is a collaborative process where we'll work together to explore your thoughts, feelings, hopes and experiences in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Our sessions will typically last about 50-55 minutes, providing ample time to delve into your concerns and work towards your goals. The length of the overall counselling process varies for each individual, as everyone's needs and progress are unique. Some people find relief in a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. Remember, this is your journey, and we'll move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. We'll assess your progress regularly and adjust our approach as needed. Most importantly, you feel heard, respected, and supported throughout this process. Your courage in taking this step is commendable, and I'm here to walk alongside you every step of the way.