Emily Stapel

I’m a grounded and compassionate counsellor and provisional psychologist with 9 years’ experience in the mental health space. I bring a warm, non-judgemental, collaborative and holistic approach. By listening and remembering what’s important to you, we can work together to create meaning from the experiences that have affected you most in your life. I can help you to understand some of the patterns that might be re-occurring in your life and relationships and provide a safe place for you to explore your whole self.

I believe that you are the expert on your life, and I offer the psychological knowledge and practical tools to help you deepen your understanding of yourself, allowing you space to access your inner knowing and supporting you to achieve your goals.

Having worked in many different settings over the last decade I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the human experience in all its forms. I have experience working with adolescents, adults, older adults and families from diverse cultural backgrounds who are often navigating life transitions, painful experiences, loneliness, and isolation – often feeling disconnected from themselves, their bodies, and the world in general. I have worked in depth with individuals experiencing psychosis or having experiences of hearing voices and/or other unusual perceptual experiences. I am passionate about this work and offer compassion-focused therapy, relating therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy skills to discover new ways of understanding these experiences and relating to them.

Having worked across inpatient psychiatric settings, community mental health, psychosocial support services, and mental health advocacy I understand that sometimes the mainstream medical approach can fall short. I am here to meet you exactly where you’re at in every sense – physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, and encourage you to be your most authentic self.

I am committed to providing therapeutic practices that move away from pathologising and instead honour each person’s inherent wisdom, resilience and capacity for healing.

I use evidence-based modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) and mindfulness practices. I also incorporate narrative therapy and nature therapy approaches in supporting mental health. I am registered with AHPRA and work with adults and adolescents > 15 years.