Counselling Services at Guiding Steps

About Caralyn

Over the course of my life and career, I have come to really value hearing people's stories and learning about what has shaped them.

Every person is different. We each bring our own strengths, resources, relationships, challenges and achievements, and these experiences help shape who we are and how we see ourselves and the world around us.

Sometimes, though, it can be difficult to see our own strengths and resources, particularly when life becomes challenging.

You might be adjusting to a new diagnosis or a significant change in your life. Perhaps you are navigating changes in relationships, ageing, family roles or retirement. You may be trying to make sense of a difficult experience, or wondering what the next stage of your life might look like.

Or perhaps you simply feel that something isn't quite right and you'd like some space to talk it through.

As a therapeutic counsellor, I offer a space where you can talk openly, feel heard and take some time to make sense of what is happening in your life.

I am genuinely interested in the person sitting in front of me — not just the problem that has brought you to counselling.

Together, we can explore your experiences, the stories you have developed about yourself and your life, and the strengths, skills, relationships and resources that you already have.

Sometimes those resources can be difficult to recognise when we are in the middle of a challenging time. Part of our work together may be finding them again and considering how they might help you move forward.

My approach is strength-based, narrative and neuro-affirming, and I draw on solution-focused and other therapeutic approaches depending on what is helpful for you.

I don't believe counselling is about giving people a set of answers or telling them what they should do. You are the expert in your own life.

My role is to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, help you explore your experiences from different perspectives, and support you to develop your own understanding of what matters to you and where you would like to go next.

My professional life has always involved working with people.

I've spent more than 30 years working alongside people experiencing vulnerability, disability, change and challenging life circumstances. My experience has included disability services, behaviour support, education and training, and counselling.

My professional journey has eventually brought me to counselling — an area of work that allows me to bring together my experience, my curiosity about people and my interest in how we make sense of our lives.

I hold a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences, Diploma of Counselling, Graduate Certificate in Positive Psychology, Graduate Certificate in Relationship Counselling and Diploma of Dementia, as well as qualifications in community services, disability and training and assessment. I am also a registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association.

But qualifications and professional experience are only part of what I bring to my work.

I bring curiosity, respect and a genuine interest in people and their stories.

I believe that people are more than the difficulties they are currently experiencing, and that even when life has taken an unexpected turn, there are often strengths, experiences and resources within us that can help us find a way forward.

That's what Guiding Steps means to me.

You don't need to have everything worked out before you come to counselling. We can start wherever you are.