Rainbow Shiva is founder of Walk and Talk with Rainbow, one of the most highly recommended counsellors in Wollongong. Photo: Walk and Talk with Rainbow.
Life can be challenging at times, and whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, or personal struggles, seeking professional support can make a world of difference.
Feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn? A skilled counsellor can provide the guidance and tools to help you move forward.
Counsellors offer a safe and supportive space to explore your thoughts and emotions, helping you work through challenges and build resilience. The best ones combine expertise, empathy, and practical strategies to support you on your journey to well-being.
In this article, we’ll outline the key qualities to look for when choosing a professional counsellor and share where to find the best in Wollongong.
What makes a great counsellor?
Choosing the right counsellor in Wollongong is an important step in taking care of your mental health. Here are the key qualities to consider:
- Professional qualifications and experience. A great counsellor is fully qualified and experienced in their field. Look for professionals registered with relevant accreditation bodies to ensure they meet industry standards.
- Empathy and understanding. The best counsellors provide a non-judgmental, compassionate space where you feel heard and supported. Their ability to connect with you on a personal level is essential for building trust.
- Tailored approaches. Everyone’s journey is unique. A skilled counsellor uses evidence-based techniques tailored to your specific needs, whether that’s cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness strategies, or other therapeutic methods.
- Strong communication skills. A great counsellor listens actively and explains things clearly. They help you articulate your feelings and work with you to find practical steps forward.
- Safe and comfortable environment. The right counselling space feels welcoming and secure. Whether it’s an in-person session in a calm office setting or a virtual session from the comfort of your home, the environment should support your well-being.
The best counsellors in Wollongong
Region Illawarra’s editorial team has compiled a comprehensive list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best in Wollongong series, each business needs to have maintained a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google and Facebook, and have plenty of positive reviews.
Walk and Talk with Rainbow
Walk and Talk with Rainbow is a unique counselling service that blends pet therapy, root cause therapy, and embodied processing with friendly walk-and-talk sessions for a holisitic healing experience.
Rainbow Shiva studied a bachelor of counselling at the Australian College of Applied Psychology and has a substantial background in drug and alcohol counselling, substance abuse therapy, mental heath recovery, ADHD, trauma and parenting counselling.
Rainbow has worked with many clients who have previously had negative experiences with clinical, stale, judgemental, confrontational and even triggering counselling/psychollogy services. She works to build a trusting relationship with every client, offering compassion, fun, connection and comfort while exploring complex emotions through her integrated approach.
Her service is fully insured and the only one of its kind in the entire Illawarra region.
"I have had a few sessions with Rainbow and (she) made me feel very supported," Gale Penhallow says on Google.
"Her positivity and non-judging attitude is exactly what I needed. She made me feel very safe."
Counselling Wollongong
Professional counsellors Jacob Montoya and Amna Pervais offer best practice counselling and quality mental health care from their welcoming office on Wollongong's Crown Street.
Therapy, life management and coaching for individuals, couples and families can be delivered in person, online or over the phone.
"Jacob has been a kind, supportive and understanding therapist for my partner and I," Caitlyn Tucker says online.
"He has an unbiased approach to listening and has given us the tools to help us succeed."
Becoming Whole
Becoming Whole is a truly unique therapy experience designed to support those struggling with complex psychological and emotional challenges.
Karen Lee works alongside her clients to restore the power of choice into their lives, guiding them toward fulfilment, freedom and joy. Using a Gestalt-focused approach, Karen offers abuse counselling, PTSD and C-PTSD therapy, depression and anxiety treatment, addiction counselling, psychotherapy, clinical hypnotherapy and more.
"Karen was able to dig deeper than I could have gone myself to find the bits that were locked up so tight. This is next level healing," Tracy Straw said online in 2024.
Tessa Blencowe Counselling
Passionate about developing self awareness and emotional resilience with everyone she works with, accredited counsellor Tessa Blencowe brings a wealth of experience to clients in Wollongong and online.
Tessa specialises in career counselling, relationships, identity, stress, isolation, self-esteem, grief and more. She guides her clients to heal old wounds, helping them feel more connected to themselves and the world around them.
"Tessa has been the perfect person to speak to in the most difficult of times. Her warmth, compassion and understanding is undeniable," Tenille Iskra said in a recent Google review.
Replenish Counselling & Training
Replenish Counselling & Training offers a warm, nurturing environment where clients can express their thoughts and emotions freely, as they embark on a journey of healing and resilience.
Rochelle, Gracie, Natalie and Mel draw on evidence-based techniques to compassionately support individuals, couples and families through all kinds of life challenges. Their specialties include trauma, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, domestic and family violence, couples counselling and more.
"I recently had the pleasure of working with Rochelle, and I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the invaluable guidance and support she provided," Hayley Duncan says online.
If you’re looking for more information on professional services in Wollongong, you might also like our articles on the best businesses Wollongong has to offer.
Your experience with counsellors in Wollongong
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is counselling?
Counselling is a form of talk-based therapy that assists clients with working through all manner of personal issues. Typically conducted by an objective and professionally trained counsellor, counselling provides confidential support using a range of different approaches, providing numerous options for clients.
What can I see a counsellor for?
Anyone who is struggling with a personal concern can see a counsellor for support. Common issues include grief or loss, relationship or communication issues, work and career issues, stress, anxiety or depression, self-esteem issues, handling life transitions, parenting, abuse, trauma, and gender or sexuality.
What are the common components of counselling?
While each relationship will be unique between a clinician and their client, there are some common threads. These may include developing trust, clarifying and assessing situations, identifying and setting goals, designing and implementing intervention, and planning or follow-up sessions.
Are counselling services covered by Medicare?
Some counsellors are covered under a Medicare rebate, allowing sessions to be covered with a small payable gap fee. To be entitled for this rebate, clients must obtain a mental health care plan from their general practitioner. In doing so, your doctor assesses whether counselling services would be beneficial. A typical mental health care plan provides up to 10 sessions of counselling per year with a Medicare rebate. Note that Medicare does not provide rebates to all counsellors, so if in doubt just ask. Partial rebates may also be available for those with private health insurance, depending on their coverage.
How many counselling sessions will I need?
This all depends on your individual circumstance. Some problems can be successfully resolved in a few sessions, while others may surface deeper unresolved issues that require further exploration. For a better indication, ask the counsellor to provide an estimate after your first few sessions.
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