Counselling in 2015
Often children don’t have words to describe their experiences and feelings and instead reveal them through behaviours which can be misunderstood. They may get into trouble, be labelled, or disconnect. I work with children and families just like this. As a carer, reaching out for support can be the hardest step. I work closely with you and your child through Play Therapy which is relationship based therapy for children aged 3-12 years. Play is a child’s natural way of communicating and Play Therapy creates the environment where the therapist enters into a child’s world and understands the experience from their perspective.
Often children don’t have words to describe their experiences and feelings and instead reveal them through behaviours which can be misunderstood. They may get into trouble, be labelled, or disconnect. I work with children and families just like this. As a carer, reaching out for support can be the hardest step. I work closely with you and your child through Play Therapy which is relationship based therapy for children aged 3-12 years. Play is a child’s natural way of communicating and Play Therapy creates the environment where the therapist enters into a child’s world and understands the experience from their perspective.
Most people who reach out are carrying something that’s been hard to put into words. It might be a sense that life isn’t quite working, a pattern in relationships that keeps repeating, or a quieter struggle with self-worth, anxiety or substance use. Many of the people I see have spent years getting on with things and are only now stopping to ask why it feels harder than it should. Whatever brings you in, my job is to help you make sense of it, in a space where nothing is off limits and you don’t have to have the right words before you start.
Most people who reach out are carrying something that’s been hard to put into words. It might be a sense that life isn’t quite working, a pattern in relationships that keeps repeating, or a quieter struggle with self-worth, anxiety or substance use. Many of the people I see have spent years getting on with things and are only now stopping to ask why it feels harder than it should. Whatever brings you in, my job is to help you make sense of it, in a space where nothing is off limits and you don’t have to have the right words before you start.
Medicare, individuals, couples (all relationships), diverse individuals, short-term, & long-term support.
I am an outcome-focused practitioner who values your investment in yourself. I take an active and engaged approach. I believe in celebrating our individual differences, not hiding them. My practice is judgement-free, with no 'off-limits' subject matter.
Supporting people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds is very important to me. Additionally, I have a keen interest in supporting mixed-race couples navigating the complexities of contemporary relationships.
Medicare, individuals, couples (all relationships), diverse individuals, short-term, & long-term support.
I am an outcome-focused practitioner who values your investment in yourself. I take an active and engaged approach. I believe in celebrating our individual differences, not hiding them. My practice is judgement-free, with no 'off-limits' subject matter.
Supporting people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds is very important to me. Additionally, I have a keen interest in supporting mixed-race couples navigating the complexities of contemporary relationships.
I am a clinical neuropsychologist with expertise in the relationships between brain function, cognition, emotion, and behaviour. I care deeply about supporting people in managing the challenges associated with brain impairment to achieve their goals and improve their independence and relationships. I have experience working across public and private health systems in both Victoria and New South Wales. I provide neuropsychological counselling and intervention for cognitive differences in memory and executive functioning, sleep and fatigue, and stress and anxiety using evidence-based approaches.
I am a clinical neuropsychologist with expertise in the relationships between brain function, cognition, emotion, and behaviour. I care deeply about supporting people in managing the challenges associated with brain impairment to achieve their goals and improve their independence and relationships. I have experience working across public and private health systems in both Victoria and New South Wales. I provide neuropsychological counselling and intervention for cognitive differences in memory and executive functioning, sleep and fatigue, and stress and anxiety using evidence-based approaches.
You may look like you're holding it together. Inside, it's a different story.
My clients carry a low hum of tension that never quite switches off. Or they brace for the moment someone finally gets tired of them, never fully letting their guard down. Or they live with a quieter difficulty: a persistent feeling something is fundamentally wrong with them that others can see and they cannot fix.
Many have tried other approaches. Too distant, too clinical, too focused on symptoms without touching what is underneath.
You don't need the right words. You need to arrive willing to look.
You may look like you're holding it together. Inside, it's a different story.
My clients carry a low hum of tension that never quite switches off. Or they brace for the moment someone finally gets tired of them, never fully letting their guard down. Or they live with a quieter difficulty: a persistent feeling something is fundamentally wrong with them that others can see and they cannot fix.
Many have tried other approaches. Too distant, too clinical, too focused on symptoms without touching what is underneath.
You don't need the right words. You need to arrive willing to look.
Going to therapy takes guts. Often, it takes a person, or a couple, years to move from contemplating therapy to booking a first appointment. It’s not an easy process. But, what you get out of therapy is directly related to what you put into it. And I will match your dedication with mine. The process of healing and recovery is also one of becoming and realising. Therapy is self-development at its most satisfying. Yes, it takes courage, effort, and, often, a leap of faith. But, if you are ready to give yourself the gift of therapy, I am here to take that leap with you.
Going to therapy takes guts. Often, it takes a person, or a couple, years to move from contemplating therapy to booking a first appointment. It’s not an easy process. But, what you get out of therapy is directly related to what you put into it. And I will match your dedication with mine. The process of healing and recovery is also one of becoming and realising. Therapy is self-development at its most satisfying. Yes, it takes courage, effort, and, often, a leap of faith. But, if you are ready to give yourself the gift of therapy, I am here to take that leap with you.
Maria has experience working as a counsellor/psychotherapist, and also as a non-counsellor, with client from a broad range of backgrounds and cultures in the corporate, academic, psychiatric, and not-for-profit sector. She believes the foundation for a good therapeutic relationship is based on empathy and respect, and she relates to her clients in a non-judgmental, supportive, positive, and creative way. Maria works with individuals, is fluent in Swedish, and has an extensive interest in cultural diversity, transnational counselling ,and reducing stigma around mental illness.
Maria has experience working as a counsellor/psychotherapist, and also as a non-counsellor, with client from a broad range of backgrounds and cultures in the corporate, academic, psychiatric, and not-for-profit sector. She believes the foundation for a good therapeutic relationship is based on empathy and respect, and she relates to her clients in a non-judgmental, supportive, positive, and creative way. Maria works with individuals, is fluent in Swedish, and has an extensive interest in cultural diversity, transnational counselling ,and reducing stigma around mental illness.
My name is Simon van der Stap and at Creative State Counselling and Psychotherapy, I help people create the changes they want for their lives. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably decided it’s time to take real action to improve your life in a more permanent way. Can I help? YES! Does Counselling and Psychotherapy really work? Also, YES! Whether you struggle with Alcohol or Other Drugs, clinical disorders such as anxiety or depression, historical stuff such as trauma, self-defeating habits that keep you stuck, a lack of direction or assertiveness, or you simply want to build a better life, you've come to the right place!
My name is Simon van der Stap and at Creative State Counselling and Psychotherapy, I help people create the changes they want for their lives. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably decided it’s time to take real action to improve your life in a more permanent way. Can I help? YES! Does Counselling and Psychotherapy really work? Also, YES! Whether you struggle with Alcohol or Other Drugs, clinical disorders such as anxiety or depression, historical stuff such as trauma, self-defeating habits that keep you stuck, a lack of direction or assertiveness, or you simply want to build a better life, you've come to the right place!
Life is challenging and can demand a lot of us, we all need support at times to navigate the changes and stressors that come.
Life is challenging and can demand a lot of us, we all need support at times to navigate the changes and stressors that come.
Something isn’t quite right. It may be that you can’t stop yourself from worrying. Or you are compulsively avoiding things (places, people, certain situations). Perhaps you find yourself flying into a sudden, uncontrollable, panic. It may be that you are feeling down: you can’t shake the sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness in your life. You may be feeling worthless and guilty too. It could be your relationships that aren’t working (partner, friends, family, boss, or colleagues). Perhaps past experiences are haunting you so that you lose your connection to the present and the people in it. Perhaps it's all of the above.
Something isn’t quite right. It may be that you can’t stop yourself from worrying. Or you are compulsively avoiding things (places, people, certain situations). Perhaps you find yourself flying into a sudden, uncontrollable, panic. It may be that you are feeling down: you can’t shake the sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness in your life. You may be feeling worthless and guilty too. It could be your relationships that aren’t working (partner, friends, family, boss, or colleagues). Perhaps past experiences are haunting you so that you lose your connection to the present and the people in it. Perhaps it's all of the above.
Do you have an intellectual or physical disability? Do you find yourself struggling to sleep? Are you struggling with your loved one's challenging behaviours? Do you have panic attacks from nowhere? Do you want to live a fulfilling and emotionally healthy life and enjoy interactions with people around you?
Do you have an intellectual or physical disability? Do you find yourself struggling to sleep? Are you struggling with your loved one's challenging behaviours? Do you have panic attacks from nowhere? Do you want to live a fulfilling and emotionally healthy life and enjoy interactions with people around you?
I’m a psychologist who works with neurodivergent children, teens, and adults, including autism, ADHD, and PDA profiles. My approach is neuroaffirming, meaning we don’t try to change who you are. We focus on understanding how your brain and nervous system work, and what actually helps.
I work with parents and siblings of children with disabilities to support their well-being and offer strategies to support the family as a whole.
I also offer neuroaffirming assessment of autism & ADHD
I’m a psychologist who works with neurodivergent children, teens, and adults, including autism, ADHD, and PDA profiles. My approach is neuroaffirming, meaning we don’t try to change who you are. We focus on understanding how your brain and nervous system work, and what actually helps.
I work with parents and siblings of children with disabilities to support their well-being and offer strategies to support the family as a whole.
I also offer neuroaffirming assessment of autism & ADHD
Please know: I am currently not taking on any clients.
Therapy can be a big step and decision and it is important that your therapist is someone you feel safe and supported by, that you are respected and so are your strengths and capacities. I work in a holistic and supportive way working with clients to heal, and achieve the outcomes that they choose. I have worked for a number of years with survivors of childhood sexual assault, adult sexual assault, intimate partner and other violence and also work with those who use violence.
Please know: I am currently not taking on any clients.
Therapy can be a big step and decision and it is important that your therapist is someone you feel safe and supported by, that you are respected and so are your strengths and capacities. I work in a holistic and supportive way working with clients to heal, and achieve the outcomes that they choose. I have worked for a number of years with survivors of childhood sexual assault, adult sexual assault, intimate partner and other violence and also work with those who use violence.
See more therapy options for 2015
How does your Therapist compare?
Number of Therapists in 2015
70+
Average cost per session
$220
Therapists in 2015 who prioritize treating:
| 96% | Anxiety |
| 89% | Depression |
| 82% | Self Esteem |
| 81% | Stress |
| 74% | Relationship Issues |
| 70% | Trauma and PTSD |
| 58% | Grief |
Average years in practice
12 Years
Top 3 insurances accepted
| 72% | Medicare Rebates |
| 64% | Bupa |
| 56% | Medibank Private |
How Therapists in 2015 see their clients
| 86% | In Person and Online | |
| 14% | Online Only |
Gender breakdown
| 70% | Female | |
| 27% | Male | |
| 3% | Non-Binary |