Jack O'Leary
Consultant | Psychotherapist | Facilitator
Individual counselling

A place to slow down and understand what is happening

People often come to counselling when something has become difficult to carry alone. You may feel overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected, uncertain about a relationship or aware that familiar patterns are no longer helping.

Counselling offers a confidential and thoughtful space to make sense of your experience, understand what you need and consider how you want to move forward.

You do not need to have everything explained

You may arrive with a clear concern, or simply with the sense that something is not right. The work begins with curiosity rather than judgement.

We take time to understand your experience in its wider context, including your relationships, responsibilities, history, values and current circumstances.

Common reasons

Reasons people seek counselling

  • Stress, anxiety or feeling emotionally overwhelmed
  • Low mood, loss of direction or disconnection
  • Relationship difficulties, separation or family strain
  • Anger, conflict or difficulty regulating strong emotions
  • Grief, loss or significant life transitions
  • Burnout and the pressure of caring for others
  • Recurring patterns that are difficult to understand or change
  • Questions of identity, meaning or purpose
  • The impact of earlier experiences on present relationships
  • A wish to understand yourself more deeply
Approach

How I work

My approach is person-centred, relational and trauma-informed. I do not assume that one theory explains every person, or that I know your experience better than you do.

Together, we explore what is happening, what may be maintaining the difficulty and what change would be meaningful to you. At times the work may involve reflection and emotional processing; at other times it may be practical, focused and concerned with choices, boundaries or communication.

You remain an active participant in the direction of the work.
The relationship

A collaborative therapeutic relationship

Effective counselling depends on trust, honesty and the freedom to question what is or is not helpful. I aim to offer a relationship in which you can speak openly, feel respected and remain an active participant in the direction of the work.

Practical

Confidentiality and getting started

What you bring to counselling is confidential. There are limits to that, they are narrow, and they concern serious risk to you or to someone else. I explain them clearly before you share anything you would rather I did not hold.

An initial conversation is a chance to describe what has been happening and consider whether this feels like the right support. Sessions are available in person across Northern New South Wales, the Gold Coast and Brisbane, and online across Australia.

Background
17 years’ counselling and psychotherapy experienceHigher Diploma in Counselling and PsychotherapyPerson-centred and trauma-informed practiceMaster of Music Therapy

When you are ready

There is no need to explain everything in a first message. A short note is enough to begin.

Arrange an initial counselling conversation