Counselling

CatholicCare is a social services organisation offering professional and confidential counselling services to people of all ages and walks of life.

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Our aim is to encourage and strengthen individuals, couples and families to continue to develop and grow. You can expect your counsellor to be respectful, non-judgmental, genuine and confidential.

Sessions last about one hour. The number of sessions will depend on you, and will proceed at your pace. A referral is not required.

Counselling can help with many issues including:

• Personal development issues, i.e. self-esteem or assertiveness
• Grief and loss
• Stress management
• Conflict resolution
• Separation or divorce
• A stepfamily adjusting together
• Communication
• Parenting issues
• Any other issue that is negatively affecting your life or relationships

How Much Does it Cost?

Your first one-hour session is provided free of charge. After the first session, fees per hour are charged according to level of income.

Our counselling services are currently funded by Australian and State Government Grants, Employee Assistance Program Contracts and Client Contributions. Your financial contribution to this service is important in enabling us to continue to provide quality counselling services.

Level of Income Guide

Note: it is the policy of CatholicCare that no client will be refused a service based on an inability to contribute a fee.

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Our Counsellors

• Are all tertiary qualified
• Are approved as Family and Child Counsellors by the Attorney General Department under the Family Law Act
• Receive regular professional supervision and training
• Hold Suitability Cards for Working with Children issued by the Commission for Children and Young People

In your first session your counsellor will speak with you about what has led you to seek counselling. At the end of the session, you will discuss with your counsellor whether further counselling would be helpful.

Sessions will concentrate on your concerns and how you may work to resolve them.

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Counsellor Profiles

• 

  Campbell

  Gladstone

  Campbell is an experienced counsellor with a Diploma in Counselling and extensive training as a Family Therapist.

  With more than 30 years experience in the field, Campbell has supported a diverse range of clients from communities throughout New South Wales and Queensland, including rural and remote areas.

  Campbell and his wife hail from the Sunshine Coast, where they lived for many years raising their four children. His own experience with raising a family, as well as observing others, has provided Campbell with unique insights into families, parenthood and relationships.

  With a solution-focused approach, Campbell enjoys seeing his clients freed from the tyranny of their past, develop their own strengths, take responsibility for their decisions and nurture themselves towards success.

• 

  Neil

  Bundaberg

  Neil is a registered psychologist and one of our most experienced clinicians with over 35 years in the human services and mental health fields and employed with CatholicCare since 1998.

  During this time he has worked with countless clients across all genders and age groups as well as with the indigenous community. This includes a decade of child protection work for the State Government.

  In his free time, Neil is a keen reader, gardener and plant collector and also has an active interest in archery.

• 

  Catherine

  Rockhampton

  Catherine has been a counsellor since 2021.

  Prior to joining CatholicCare, Catherine has gained a wealth of life experiences to draw upon. From being a teen mum, to the CEO of a not-for-profit organisation, as well as working in the care space with older members of our community. Catherine has also put her hand to life coaching.

  Catherine is passionate about empowering both men and woman from all walks of life to know their identity, feel their self-worth, and gain emotional intelligence, allowing people to become the best version of themselves.

  Catherine’s counselling style is very ‘solutions focused’ and uses a range of therapy and counselling styles. Catherine has a Christian faith background and as such can provide ‘bible informed’ counselling.

  In June 2024 Catherine’s role expands to providing counselling to aged members of our community, including end of life counselling for those with a palliative diagnosis, be that in a hospice or home setting.

  Outside of work Catherine enjoys fashion, visiting second-hand shops, gardening, spending time with her pets and catching up with her family and friends.

• 

  Keanu

  Rockhampton

  Keanu has completed a Bachelor of Human Services (BHMS Counselling) and a Graduate Certificate in Counselling from the University of Southern Queensland. He was an online text-based counsellor for 1 year, during his studies. In 2021 he started working with a private counselling business and has been with CatholicCare since July 2023.

  Keanu specialises in generalist counselling with an influence from a range of methods and modalities. Preferential to Narrative Therapy, Existential Therapy and Reality Therapy. Keanu is also open to discussing religious and spiritual or other niche topics.

  Out of work Keanu enjoys learning about Philosophy, History, Theology and Psychology/Psychotherapy. He also enjoys exercise, DIY projects and gardening.

• 

  Giovanna

  Yeppoon

  As a counsellor, Giovanna has been active in delivering short-term and long-term interventions, providing support for clients in various challenges. With a deep work ethic, she is able to assist clients in therapeutic interventions and empowering clients to manage and overcome mental and emotional challenges.

  Giovanna has a Masters Degree in Social Work, Certificate IV in Human Resources, Bachelor in Legal and Social Sciences and has been a counsellor since 2021. Giovanna specialises in family and relationship (Training completed in Gottman Level 1), EFT (Attachment Science in Practise) and Narrative Therapy (Key skills in family therapy, systems and stories).

  Prior to CatholicCare, Giovanna worked as a social worker intern at Jewish House and Mission Australia. Anglicare Southern Queensland as a Family Support Practitioner and CentaCare North Queensland as a Family and Community Counsellor.

  Giovanna has done a large amount of Voluntary Work in Australia and Brazil. In Sydney she volunteered with JH Kids, working with children aged 4 to 12, and built a solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs. In Brazil, Giovanna did voluntary work in the NGO “Sonhar Acordado” (“Dreaming Awake”), Working with children and teenagers.

  Outside of work, Giovanna loves going to the beach and being outside in nature, whether that be watching sunrises or sunsets. She also enjoys catching up with her friends and family.

• 

  Catherine

  Bundaberg

  Catherine has been a member of the CatholicCare clinical team since 2021.

  She has more than seven years’ experience in trauma counselling, specialising in sexual assault and abuse counselling. She is also a social worker with our Allied Health Team in Bundaberg.

  She holds a Master of Social Work, a Master of Narrative Therapy & Community Work, and a Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling). She is an accredited social worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers.

  Catherine is multilingual, which has proved essential in CatholicCare’s work with culturally and linguistically diverse clients.

  In her free time, Catherine enjoys spending time with her family, has an interest in the arts, and volunteers with a non-political service organisation.

• 

  Amber

  Mackay

  Amber joined CatholicCare in January 2024

  Amber has been a counsellor for over a year. She completed a Bachelor of Social work and is also currently studying a post graduate certificate in Mental Health and Neuroscience.

  She previously worked as a Social Worker at Mackay Base Hospital and as a Mental Health Clinician at Evolve Therapeutic Services.

  Outside of work Amber enjoys going to gym, trips to the beach, spending time with friends and family. She has a love of being outside, exploring waterfalls and bushwalking.

• 

  Andrew

  Rockhampton

  Andrew is an experienced counsellor with a strong background working with both adults and adolescents in overcoming complex and relational trauma, PTSD and anxiety, as well as navigating the ups and downs of everyday life.

  As a man living with a vision impairment, Andrew knows first-hand the significant impact that trauma has on a person’s relationships, sense of identity, self-worth, and peace. His professional and personal journeys have equipped him with a deep appreciation for the unique experiences of every individual which informs his person-centred approach to counselling.

  With a passion for helping others thrive, Andrew believes that the role of a counsellor is to come alongside people, helping them not only find relief but also achieve growth and resilience. He emphasises that while we cannot change our past, we can heal from it, grow through it, and create a future that is no longer defined by it.

  Andrew is a registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association and the Certified Practicing Counsellors Australia.

• 

  Prabha

  Mackay

  Prabha has a wide range of counselling experience working with individuals, couples, children and adolescents over the last 8 years.

  Prabha is currently completing a master’s degree in counselling and is registered with the Australian Counselling Association.

  Prabha is certified Yoga teacher and has a special interest in Mindfulness based interventions.

  Prabha particularly enjoys working with multiple clients including parent & child, partners, and other family members.
  Outside of work, Prabha enjoys having family outings in nature, cooking and reading a thought-provoking book.

• 

  Luiza

  Rockhampton

  Luiza has supported families and individuals for the past 25 years.

  Her journey into becoming a skilled-qualified counsellor has come from her experiences providing Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy and from her desire to assist others best. She has acquired formal qualifications in the fields of Pastoral Care Ministry, Theology, Counselling and is currently completing a Master of Counselling program.

  Luiza has vast experience in supporting clients through mental health concerns, complex relationships, marital and family dynamics, addiction, trauma including post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), stress management, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), grief and bereavement.

  Apart from her passion for supporting clients, Luiza also loves spending time in nature, especially hiking, sightseeing, and camping with family and friends. She also enjoys reading and is particularly fond of gardening and cooking.