Specific phobia - symptoms & treatment

Petra is a Registered Counsellor and member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) with experience in various roles across the healthcare industry. She holds a Diploma from the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors and a Graduate Diploma in Relationship Counselling, as well as advanced accreditations in grief & loss, addiction, abuse and eating disorders.

Petra has worked extensively with a diverse range of individuals across multiple organisations in both the aged care, clinical and charity sectors. Through her time at the Butterfly Foundation, Petra empowered her clients through evidence-based therapy to help them overcome negative eating patterns. Petra also has specific experience treating complex mental health in elderly clients, supporting them through issues such as trauma, grief and cognitive decline. Prior to her commencing a career in counselling, Petra worked in various roles within the corporate space, collaborating and liaising with an assortment of professionals, helping shape the person-centred approach she utlises in therapy today.

In private practice, Petra’s focus is to meet and understand where individuals are at in their lives, and best support them using a variety of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solutions Focused Therapy, ACT, Strengths Based Therapy and Narrative Therapy. In her sessions, Petra assists her clients in a range of concerns, including anger management, depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, grief & loss, self-esteem issues, workplace stress, as well as more complex mental health including eating disorders and addiction.

Petra is an insightful and altruistic counsellor, who believes everyone is unique in their counselling needs and, as such, aims to personalise each session to the individual. Creating safe, supportive and confidential spaces for people to engage, Petra uses empathy and understanding to support her clients in their mental health journey and onto more fulfilling lives.

Daniela is a Registered Psychologist with over 20 years of experience across clinical practice, behavioural support, university teaching, and clinical supervision. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology and a Masters in Clinical Psychology from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, and has trained in a variety of evidence-based modalities including EMDR, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) at the Beck Institute, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) with renowned US-based psychologist Marsha Linehan.

Daniela has extensive experience supporting clients from diverse cultures, professions and psychosocial backgrounds from her work in private practice, at universities and with the NDIS. She works with a wide range of presentations including but not limited to anxiety, depression, OCD, complex post-traumatic disorder, relationship and sexual challenges, career challenges, psychological disorders, mildlife transition and life purpose.

Daniela’s main therapeutic approaches are humanistic, existential, psychodynamic and systemic. She also utilises the tenets of positive psychology to promote and provide unconditional empathy and positive acceptance in her work with clients. In addition to her training in CBT and DBT, Daniela is also skilled in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), schema therapy, and psychodynamic approaches.

Daniela is a welcoming, empathetic and inspirational practitioner. Her work is characterised by her warmth, her critical thinking and a humanist perspective. She is passionate about offering a space where her clients can feel heard, be respectfully challenged, and supported to create meaningful change.

Daniela is also an experienced careers psychologist and a member of the Career Development Association of Australia. In this capacity, she enjoys working with adolescents and adults to navigate career transitions, rediscover purpose, and align their work with their values.

Rose is a Registered Mental Health Social Worker with over 20 years of experience providing counselling and psychotherapy to individuals and couples. She holds a Clinical Master of Counselling and a Graduate Diploma in Adult Psychotherapy.

Rose has worked in a number of different counselling settings, including private practice, community health setting, private psychiatric hospitals and university counselling services. Working within these settings has allowed Rose to gain experience across a broad range of presentations including anxiety, depression (including post-natal depression), grief and loss, phobias, divorce and separation, relationship issues, past and recent trauma, bullying and harassment, and study difficulties.

Rose has particularly extensive experience assisting clients with trauma. She has worked with veterans experiencing severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), women who have experienced domestic violence, and survivors of child physical, sexual or emotional abuse.

Rose takes a primarily psychodynamic approach to therapy, and has completed specialised Trauma Therapy training using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). She believes that our emotions and behaviour are affected by our social environment, and aims to work towards the liberation and empowerment of her clients to enhance their wellbeing.

Rose endeavours to develop a close working alliance with her clients, helping them toward achieving their short term or longer term goals.

Alexandra is a highly experienced Registered Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Relationship Counsellor, who holds a Bachelor of Counselling, Psychotherapy and Human Change, as well as various diplomas in Group Work and Facilitation, Problem Gambling and Couples Counselling.

Alexandra has worked extensively with complex and diverse clients providing psychoeducation within government and non-government settings, working mainly for non-profit organisations. She has worked as a bilingual cross-cultural counsellor for NSW Health, speaking both English and Greek, and has worked in counselling and group therapy roles for St Vincents de Paul, Nepean Local Health District and Relationships Australia.

Alexandra has an emotionally client-centred perspective to her therapeutic process, creating safe, respectful and confidential environments to conduct her counselling sessions. Drawing on a variety of modalities, she uses a systematic approach based on Attachment Theory, Solution Focused Behavioural Therapy, as well as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Through her years of experience, Alexandra assists her clients in a wide array of concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress management, grief & loss, work related issues, as well as more complex mental health such as trauma, abuse, schizophrenia and chronic pain management.

Through her career at Relationships Australia, Alexandra has extensive experience working with couples, from both traditional and same sex relationships, with a focus on issues like communication, intimacy problems, parenting difficulties and infidelity.

Alexandra instills a ‘come as you are’ mantra, often using a holistic approach to tailor her sessions to her clients’ personal needs for the best possible outcome, as well as supporting them moving forward with their lives.

David is a Clinical Psychologist and an accredited member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from the University of New England, and a Masters of Clinical Psychology from Western Sydney University.

Prior to re-training as a psychologist, David worked as a professional musician, a role he credits as endowing him with high-level listening skills. These skills he brings to his work in the mental health space, where he has practiced in both both in hospital settings (in-patient and out-patient) and also in private practice. In these environments, David has gained experience counselling a diverse range of clients of different ages and from a variety of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. He has also provided telephone support for families affected by drug and alcohol concerns in a voluntary capacity. Together, these experiences have helped shape his personalised approach to therapy.

In private practice, David is passionate about supporting individuals through their mental health challenges and life’s challenges. Drawing on a range of modalities, David primarily focuses on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) but also draws on modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Psychodynamic Theory.

David can support clients with a variety of concerns, including depression, anxiety, grief and loss, OCD, ADHD, relationships, anger, addiction, stress, as well as more complex presentations such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and personality disorders.

David is an authentic, warm and non-judgemental psychologist. Whilst he uses various therapeutic modalities to frame his practice, his focus remains on the therapeutic relationship, ensuring that his client’s unique experiences, feelings, thoughts, and beliefs shape his ultimate approach to their therapy. By listening and accounting for his client’s viewpoints, David helps his clients overcome their problems through positive change.

Mike is registered as a Clinical Psychologist and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society. He works with adults with anxiety disorders, depression, addictions, trauma, relationships and has a special interest in working with LGBTQ+ clients. His therapeutic approach uses CBT, ACT and mindfulness for letting go of unhelpful thoughts, being present with difficult emotions and connecting to your values; the things that really matter to you.

He completed his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2003. His doctoral training included internships in adult mental health, forensics, child & family services, and intellectual disabilities. His post-doctoral training has included skills in ACT, DBT and training in professional supervision.

Mike has worked in sexual health services in London, community mental health services in Auckland, student counselling at the University of Auckland and as a forensic psychologist in Sydney. He is one of our most senior clinicians and has been providing online therapy since 2012.

Howard is a Registered Psychologist with over 25 years experience in the provision of individual, couples and family therapy. He holds a Masters in Psychology from Sydney University and a Masters in Organisational Psychology from the University of New South Wales. He has also studied workplace counselling at the Australian Catholic University and undertaken training in couples and family therapy with Relationships Australia.

Howard has worked extensively in the public health, corporate and military sectors, as well as in the private sector. He has experience in a variety of modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychodrama, Psychoanalysis, Family Systems Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Organisational Change, and works eclectically across all these therapeutic forms to suit the individual needs of his clients.

He has worked successfully with clients presenting with a wide range of challenges including anxiety, workplace stress, depression, drug & alcohol addiction, trauma, anger and relationship problems. He uses a practical but supportive approach, aiming to assist his clients to achieve their goals as quickly as possible.

Howard works with his clients to help them achieve a richer, fuller and more meaningful life.

Wade is a Counsellor and Psychotherapist, registered with PACFA. He holds a Bachelor of Counselling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology and a Graduate Diploma of Mental Health and Neuroscience from the University of the Sunshine Coast, with extensive advanced training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.

Wade’s career began in hospital and community mental health settings, including several years leading a therapeutic program and multidisciplinary team. This gave him broad experience supporting people through a wide range of life challenges before he moved into private practice.

Since moving into private practice, Wade works with individuals, supporting them with a range of concerns including anxiety, stress and burnout, low mood, grief, relationship and attachment difficulties, and past trauma. He has a particular interest in trauma, attachment, men’s health and addiction-related concerns.

Wade’s approach draws primarily on Internal Family Systems, integrating trauma-informed, attachment-based, psychodynamic, EMDR, and polyvagal-informed techniques. He works deeply and relationally with his clients, taking the time to understand what’s beneath the surface and build a genuine sense of trust and connection. He believes lasting change comes through the relationship itself, not just the techniques used within it.

Wade describes his style as clear, honest and human, creating a space paced to each client where they can explore what’s present for them without judgement or pressure.

Jonathan is a Registered Counsellor and Psychotherapist, who has worked with clients of all ages during his time in the mental health field. He holds various diplomas in Counselling, including Integrated Psychotherapy and Family Counselling from the AIFC, and is also certified as a Professional Supervisor.

Beginning his career in the youth sector, Jonathan assisted both children and adolescents from disadvantaged and traumatic backgrounds, in which he learnt to tailor his sessions to each individual to create trusting and supportive environments. From his time at various alternative learning programs, such as Youth Off The Streets and the Divergent Edge, Jonathan worked with neurodivergent, disengaged and/or complex-presenting individuals, providing support in the form of individual psychotherapy, crisis counselling and group interventions.

Moving into private practice, Jonathan uses a holistic approach to therapy, exploring the connection between family dynamics, childhood, relationships, as well as the mind and body, to assess and reflect on his clients’ concerns. Utilising an array of evidence-based practices, Jonathan incorporates modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Brief Solution Focused Therapy, Person-Centred Therapy and Mindfulness.

Jonathan can assist his clients with an array of concerns including depression, anxiety, grief & loss, self-esteem, anger, as well as more complex mental health including domestic violence, self-harm and suicidal ideation, addiction and trauma. Jonathan also has a particular interest in neurodiversity, specifically assisting those with ADHD.

Jonathan is an authentic and compassionate practitioner, who prides himself on his practical and insightful approach to counselling. Through supporting the development of appropriate life skills, he helps his clients identify and achieve their goals, as well as move forward with confidence and become the best version of themselves.