Things you can explore in Individual Counselling: some of the areas people explore in individual counselling - this list is, by all means, not exhaustive.

Mental Health, Emotional Management, & Healing

• Anxiety and Stress: Identifying triggers, developing coping skills (like mindfulness or deep breathing), and learning to manage worry, panic attacks, or general overwhelm.

• Depression and Mood: Exploring underlying causes of sadness, hopelessness, lack of motivation, or other mood disorders, and building pathways toward improved well-being.

• Trauma and PTSD: Processing and healing from past experiences, including childhood trauma, abuse, or major life crises, using specialized modalities like Trauma Therapy (e.g., CPT).

• Grief and Loss: Navigating the complex emotions associated with losing a loved one, the end of a relationship, or other significant losses that might be affecting you.

• Anger Management: Understanding the roots of anger and frustration, and learning healthier, more effective ways to express and regulate those emotions.

Identity, Self-Discovery, & Personal Growth

• Self-Esteem and Self-Worth: Challenging negative self-talk, overcoming feelings of inadequacy, and developing self-compassion and a positive self-image.

• Life Transitions: Navigating major changes, such as career shifts, moving, divorce, retirement, or becoming a parent.

• Identity Exploration: Providing a safe space to explore aspects of your gender, sexuality (LGBTQIA+), culture, or spiritual beliefs.

• Neurodivergence: Exploring challenges and strengths related to Neurodiversity (e.g., Autism, ADHD) and developing tailored coping and communication strategies.

• Purpose and Meaning: Clarifying your personal values, setting meaningful goals, and finding greater direction and fulfillment in life.

Relationships, Communication, & Boundaries

Even in individual therapy, relationships are a major focus, as they deeply impact mental health.

• Communication Skills: Learning how to express needs, thoughts, and feelings clearly, assertively, and constructively with others.

• Setting Boundaries: Identifying where your boundaries are being crossed and developing the courage and skills to establish and maintain healthy limits in relationships.

• Relationship Patterns: Exploring patterns in how you choose partners, interact with family (family of origin issues), or manage conflict with colleagues.

• Interpersonal Conflict: Gaining perspective on difficult relationships (with family, friends, or partners) and developing strategies for managing conflict or emotional disconnection.

Specialized Health & Lifestyle Issues

These are niche areas that require specific knowledge and a holistic approach.

• Health and Chronic Disease: Coping with a new diagnosis, managing the emotional burden of chronic illness, or adapting lifestyle changes due to long-term health challenges.

• Body Image and Eating Issues: Addressing concerns related to how you view your body and developing a healthier relationship with food and movement.

• Work/Career Stress: Managing burnout, workplace conflict, career planning, and stress related to job demands.

Using a variety of therapeutic approaches—from the conversational depth of Psychodynamic-Interpersonal Therapy and Narrative Therapy to goal-oriented tools like ACT and CBT—Penny tailors the session to find the best approach for your unique needs. Whether you connect in our Canberra office or via telehealth, Penny is committed to helping you understand yourself better and thrive.