Ali's Counselling Services

25/08/2026

It’s always such an encouragement to receive feedback from my clients. ❤️

Today, one of my clients had their final EAP session with me. We had spent time together talking through their grief journey after losing their partner in a horrific accident.

Over the past three years, they had struggled particularly around the anniversary of the accident and their partner’s birthday. They had reached out for counselling support each year but had never felt that it had really helped.

Today, they shared something that really stayed with me:

"I want to thank you for our time together. It’s been three years since it all happened, and each year I have reached out for counselling help, but it hasn’t worked for me. This year has changed everything."

I asked them what had been different this time.

They explained that, in previous counselling experiences, people had reacted with such shock when hearing their story that they no longer felt safe continuing to talk about what had happened. They worried that if the counsellor reacted so strongly to the initial story, they wouldn’t know how they would cope with hearing the rest.

They told me:

"Your communication and confidence made me feel safe. You helped me feel that I could be vulnerable, knowing that you could hold space for me to do so."

For me, this is such an important reminder of what counselling is about.

Sometimes people don’t need us to have the right words or to fix what has happened. They need a safe, calm and non-judgemental space where they can tell their story — at their own pace, in their own way, and without feeling that they need to protect the person listening.

Being able to sit with someone’s pain, without being overwhelmed by it, can be incredibly powerful.

I feel very privileged to have been trusted with this person’s story. ❤️

07/07/2026

💜 To every woman who feels like she's carrying the weight of the world... this is for you.

Sometimes I sit with women who tell me, "I don't know why I'm struggling. I should be coping better."

The truth is... you're probably carrying far more than you realise.

As women, we move through so many seasons of life. Puberty, relationships, pregnancy, motherhood, raising children, careers, caring for ageing parents, perimenopause, menopause, retirement... and somewhere amongst it all, we're often expected to keep going as though nothing has changed.

Many women spend years looking after everyone else while quietly putting themselves last.

They tell themselves to "just get on with it."

To be stronger.

To try harder.

But constantly carrying the mental and emotional load is exhausting.

You may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally drained, irritable, or like you've somehow lost the person you used to be. You might even wonder why everything feels so much harder than it used to.

If you're living with ADHD, hormonal changes throughout life can make everyday challenges even more overwhelming. Focus, motivation, emotional regulation, memory, and managing daily responsibilities can all become much more difficult, leaving many women questioning themselves when there's actually a very real reason for what they're experiencing.

One of the greatest privileges of my work is sitting alongside women as they begin to realise they're not failing... they're simply carrying too much on their own.

Counselling isn't about someone telling you what to do.

It's about having a safe space where you can finally take a breath, talk openly without judgement, untangle what's been weighing on you, and feel genuinely heard.

Whether you're navigating motherhood, menopause, ADHD, grief, stress, relationship challenges, or simply feeling a little lost, you don't have to face it alone.

💕 You deserve support. You deserve to be listened to. And you deserve the same compassion that you so freely give to everyone else.

If this resonates with you, I'd love to support you on your journey.

🌿 Ali's Counselling Services – Walking alongside women through life's many seasons, one conversation at a time.

Send a message to learn more

12/06/2026

Yesterday, I was speaking with one of my lovely EAP clients and, at the end of our session, I asked how she felt the appointment had gone.

She shared that she had been struggling for quite some time and knew counselling could help, but her anxiety about attending had held her back. She told me that as soon as she arrived, stepped into my counselling room, and sat down, she felt that anxiety begin to melt away. She said she was grateful to have found me and only wished she had come sooner.

Her words reminded me of something I hear often. Many people find that first counselling session the hardest step. Opening up to someone about the deeply personal parts of your life can feel incredibly daunting, and it’s completely normal to feel nervous or anxious beforehand.

My aim is always to provide a warm, caring, and welcoming space where clients feel comfortable being themselves. While I bring years of professional experience to my work, I also bring my humanity. I don’t sit in judgement. Instead, I offer a safe place, a listening ear, and support when life feels overwhelming.

If you’ve been thinking about counselling but have been putting it off because you’re feeling anxious, please know you’re not alone. Often, taking that first step is the hardest part, and you don’t have to do it by yourself. 💜

27/05/2026

One of the things I hear most often from clients after a session is:
“I already feel lighter after just talking about it.”

Many people come into counselling carrying years of stress, grief, trauma, relationship difficulties, workplace pressure, burnout, anxiety, family conflict, or simply the feeling that they have had to hold everything together for too long on their own.

Often, clients tell me they have never truly spoken out loud about what they have been through, or that this is the first time they have felt genuinely heard, understood, and not judged.

Counselling is not about having all the answers in one session. Sometimes the biggest shift comes from finally having a safe space to slow down, make sense of what has happened, connect the dots in life, and realise that your thoughts, feelings, and reactions actually make sense.

I work with clients in a warm, down-to-earth, compassionate way, helping them better understand themselves, build healthier boundaries, process difficult experiences, and move forward feeling clearer, calmer, and more empowered.

It is always a privilege when clients tell me that even one conversation has helped them feel less alone, less confused, or more hopeful about the future. 💛

20/05/2026

A client recently shared something powerful with me during a counselling session which they gave me permission to share

“You don’t have to run anymore. You can choose to walk.”
The client replied, “I’ve been running for so long, I don’t know how to stop.”

This opened up an important conversation about why they felt the need to constantly stay busy, keep going, and avoid slowing down or prioritising self-care. Together, we explored how stopping and sitting with difficult emotions can sometimes feel overwhelming.

For this client, it led to several meaningful “light bulb” moments and a deeper understanding of the patterns that had been driving them for many years.

Sometimes counselling is not about “fixing” everything straight away — sometimes it is about finally understanding why we have been carrying so much for so long.

14/05/2026

Shared with permission from one of my EAP clients today 💛

“I felt unworthy, like I had all these sticky notes of unworthiness all over me.”

One of the most powerful moments in counselling is when someone begins to truly see themselves again, not through shame, fear, or invisibility, but through compassion and self-worth.

My client shared:

“Speaking with you made me realise how invisible I had made myself in my individuality and existence. I was ashamed of that, but after speaking to you, I recognised that it was never too late to make a change. I didn’t think I had a choice before.

I feel free at last to grab some time for me, and you helped me reconnect with that part of myself.

I felt unworthy, and it was like I had sticky notes of unworthiness all over me. But you helped me see that I could step into my own individuality.

The way you communicated with me was calm and comforting, something I have experienced very rarely in my life.”

Healing often begins with feeling safe enough to be seen, heard, and valued.

You are worthy of taking up space.
You are worthy of care.
And it is never too late to reconnect with yourself. 💫

Send a message to learn more

12/05/2026

Hi everyone, I hope your day is going well, here's reminder of the counselling sessions I offer:

🌱 Introductory Session (15–20 minutes)
A gentle first step if you’re unsure about counselling or would like to see if we’re the right fit.
This session allows you to:
• briefly share what’s been going on for you
• ask questions
• get a feel for how I work
No obligation to continue
________________________________________
💬 Individual Counselling (50 minutes)
A full session where we can explore your concerns in more depth and work towards meaningful change at your pace.
Available:
• Face-to-face (Wadalba)
• Phone
• Video
________________________________________
✉️ Email Support Sessions (Flexible option)
If you find it easier to write things down or need time to reflect, email sessions can be a helpful alternative or addition to counselling.
You can send a detailed email about what’s been happening for you, and I will respond with:
• supportive feedback
• reflections and insights
• practical tools and strategies
This option can suit those who:
• feel more comfortable expressing themselves in writing
• have limited time for appointments
• prefer space to process at their own pace
Response provided within 2–3 business days
________________________________________

11/05/2026

Part of my role is providing counselling services to employees through workplace support programs. Many companies offer their staff a set number of confidential counselling sessions each year through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

In this role, I support clients from all across Australia with a wide range of concerns, including both personal and work-related challenges.

EAP services can make a real difference, as mental health and wellbeing often impact every area of life, including work, relationships, confidence, and overall health. By supporting employees through difficult times, workplaces can help create a healthier, more positive, and more productive environment for everyone

Take time to check out if your workplace provides this service.

05/05/2026

I came across this statement today after speaking to a client who had been in a relationship with a narcissist for 20 years and had no idea that they were. Sometimes through counselling you can discover a lot about yourself and others around you. Another reason to make that appointment today.

A key indicator that you're in a narcissistic relationship is when things only remain peaceful as long as you suppress your feelings, thoughts, and opinions.

31/10/2025

This could not be more true about the person you chose to do your life with. The one that stands beside you, carries you, picks you up off the floor, cheers you on, and will to put themselves aside when you need them the most. ❤️

Love isn’t always the grand gestures, the flowers or the perfect date nights.

It’s who stands next to you when life falls apart…The person who helps you rebuild, not run away.

If you’ve got someone like that in your corner, tag them in the comments and let them know how grateful you are for them ❤️

✍️ IG: love.quotes