My Story

My journey into counselling has been shaped by both my professional experience and my personal experiences of life.

Like many people, I have experienced adversity, loss, change and moments that have challenged me. These experiences have shaped my understanding of resilience, compassion and the importance of having safe spaces where we can be supported without judgement.

Grief and loss have been significant teachers in my life. They have shown me that healing is not about forgetting, moving on quickly or having all the answers.

It is about having space to acknowledge what we have experienced, understand how it has shaped us and gently find a way forward.

My own experiences have deepened my empathy and strengthened my belief that every person deserves to feel seen, heard and understood.

Why I Became A Counsellor

Throughout my life and career, I have always been drawn to supporting people.

Before becoming a counsellor, I spent over 16 years working in finance and banking, developing experience in leadership, coaching, mentoring and supporting people through challenges and change.

Although my roles were varied, the part I valued most was always the human connection - listening to people’s stories, understanding what mattered to them and supporting them to recognise their strengths.

Over time, my path expanded into disability and community support work, where I worked alongside people with diverse abilities, backgrounds and life experiences.

These experiences reinforced something I have always believed:

People want to feel respected, understood and valued for who they are - not defined by their challenges.

This belief continues to guide the way I work with every client.

Bringing My Experiences Together

Becoming a counsellor felt like a natural progression of everything I had learned throughout my life and career.

My Diploma of Counselling provided the professional foundation, while my years of working with people, navigating my own experiences and learning from life's challenges have shaped the way I show up for others.

I bring together professional knowledge, lived experience and genuine human connection to create a counselling space that feels warm, safe and authentic.

Why Walk & Talk Therapy

Coastal Counselling Walk & Talk Therapy was created from my belief that counselling can be professional, ethical and evidence-informed while still feeling natural and human.

I know from my own experience the grounding effect that nature and movement can have.

Walking has always helped me process thoughts, regulate emotions and create space when life feels overwhelming.

Today, I bring this understanding into my counselling practice through Walk & Talk Therapy.

Movement, nature and conversation can create an environment where many people feel more relaxed, open and connected.

The outdoors is not a replacement for therapy - the therapeutic relationship remains at the heart of our work.

Nature simply provides another pathway to slow down, reflect and reconnect.

My Approach

I believe counselling should be tailored to the individual.

No two people have the same story, experiences or needs.

My approach is person-centred, strengths-based and evidence-informed, drawing from a range of therapeutic approaches including:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Solution-Focused Therapy

• Mindfulness-based approaches

• Somatic-informed approaches and nervous system awareness

I value both top-down and bottom-up approaches -exploring thoughts, beliefs and behaviours while also recognising the connection between emotions, the body and our nervous system.

For some people, change begins through understanding their thoughts and patterns.

For others, it begins through learning to feel safe, grounded and connected within themselves.

Together, we explore what feels most supportive for you.

Motherhood & Understanding Life Transitions

Motherhood has also been an important part of my journey.

It has deepened my understanding of love, responsibility, identity, change and the many roles we carry throughout life.

It has shown me that even during meaningful and joyful seasons, people can experience uncertainty, overwhelm and a sense of losing connection with themselves.

I understand that many people spend years caring for others while placing their own needs last.

Counselling can provide a space to pause, reflect and reconnect with who you are.

Qualifications & Professional Commitment

I am committed to providing counselling that is ethical, safe and professional.

My qualifications and experience include:

• Diploma of Counselling

• Australian Counselling Association (ACA) Member

• Ongoing professional development and supervision

• Training in grief and loss counselling

• Mindfulness-based interventions

• Child and adolescent counselling

• Advanced suicide prevention and safety planning

• Experience in leadership, coaching, disability and community support services

I maintain professional standards through:

• Professional indemnity insurance

• Working With Children Check

• NDIS Worker Screening Check

• National Police Check

• First Aid and CPR certification

A Final Word

If you are considering counselling, you do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out.

You do not need the perfect words or a clear plan.

Sometimes the first step is simply having a conversation.

A walk.

A moment to breathe.

A space where you feel genuinely met.

I would be honoured to walk alongside you.

Warmly,
Sahra