Therapy and Counselling in Hawthorne

Hawthorne has a quiet rhythm to it - leafy streets, river breezes, the slow turn of a CityCat at the terminal at the end of the day. It is a suburb that holds families, professionals, and long-time locals who chose it precisely because life here moves a little gentler. But even in the most peaceful suburb, life has its weight. If you have been searching for therapy in Hawthorne, I would love to share a little about how I work and how to find me.

A Hawthorne therapist just minutes away
I am Taf - a registered psychotherapist, EMDR therapist, and accredited clinical social worker. My practice room sits on Oxford Street in neighbouring Bulimba, just a short walk, drive, or ferry hop from Hawthorne. For most Hawthorne residents, sessions are easier to reach than the school run. You can come straight from Hardcastle Park, after a coffee at Hawthorne Garage, or as part of an evening that ends at Hawthorne Cinema. Many of my clients live in Hawthorne and have told me that the small ritual of arriving - the walk, the breath at the door - has become part of the work itself.

Book Free 15min Consult

How I can support you:

  • Individual Therapy & Counselling

    Available for individuals aged 16 and over navigating mental health challenges and trauma. Whether you prefer face-to-face counselling, Telehealth (via video or phone), or outdoor ‘walk and talk’ sessions immersed in nature, support is offered in a setting that best suits your needs.

    50-min session:
    $180 inc. GST

    75-min session:
    $230 inc. GST


    90-min session:
    $260 inc. GST

    Book now 

  • EMDR

    EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a specialised trauma treatment that offers targeted support to reduce the emotional impacts of trauma, PTSD, anxiety and more. Discover how EMDR can help you process traumatic memories, challenge negative beliefs, and replace those beliefs with more positive, adaptive ways of thinking and feeling. Available via face to face sessions or online video.

    50-min Session:
    $200 inc. GST

    90-min Session:
    $280 inc. GST

    Book now 

  • Clinical Professional Supervision

    For new graduate social workers, psychotherapist and counsellors seeking clinical supervision to strengthen both their client work and their own wellbeing. Here you'll have space to reflect on your practice, explore ethical dilemmas, and build on the quality of support you provide to clients while also caring for yourself as a practitioner.

    50-min session:
    $180 inc. GST


    75-min session:
    $230 inc. GST

    For supervision bookings, please email directly at hello@therapywithtaf.com

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Counselling in Hawthorne for the things you carry quietly.

The people I work with often do not look like they are struggling. They are holding down careers, raising children, organising weekend sport, keeping the wheels turning. From the outside, life looks fine. Inside, something feels stuck, heavy, or louder than it should be. Counselling in Hawthorne is often where that gap finally has space to be spoken.

I work with adults navigating:

  • Anxiety, overwhelm, and chronic stress
  • Trauma, PTSD, and complex trauma
  • Depression, low mood, and burnout
  • Grief, loss, and significant life transitions
  • Relationship and attachment patterns
  • ADHD, autism, and neurodivergent experiences
  • Cross-cultural challenges, migration, and questions of identity and belonging

Sessions run for 50 or 90 minutes, with 75-minute sessions available for EMDR and deeper work. You can choose in-person sessions, Telehealth video, or outdoor walk-and-talk sessions in nature, depending on what your week and your nervous system need.

Book Free 15min Consult

Here’s how we ease into things:

  • Step 1: Free 15 mins Consultation

    This is an opportunity for us to connect and get to know each other. We'll briefly discuss what brings you to therapy, and explore how I can support you. You can ask any questions, and I'll share how I work, and together, we can see if we're a good fit.

    Book your free consultation today

  • Step 2: Initial Session

    Our first session is where we begin building our therapeutic relationship. Together, we’ll explore what’s weighing on you - your concerns, wishes, or goals for therapy - while identifying patterns and gaining clarity on your experiences. You’re encouraged to share at your own pace. We’ll also discuss how I work, what to expect from therapy, and lay the foundation for our work together.

  • Step 3: Collaborative Work

    Therapy is a co-created experience. It isn’t something done to you, but something we shape together in real time. This often includes two interconnected processes:

    Cognitive Analytical & Verbal work - developing a cognitive roadmap, making sense with words, reflecting, exploring, and learning new insights.

    Somatic, Emotional & Embodied work - observing, feeling and being with what's happening, slowing down and working with the body’s intelligence, noticing sensations, posture, movement, and feelings. Together, these approaches bring mind and body into dialogue, developing a presence that creates space for deeper exploration, awareness, and integration.

  • Step 4: Ongoing Sessions

    Healing or change isn’t a one-time event: it’s a process that unfolds over time. In our ongoing sessions, old patterns or past feelings may resurface, sometimes bringing moments of discomfort, tension, or uncertainty. Together, we’ll approach these moments gently and at your pace, using them as opportunities to explore, experiment, and practice new ways of being. Through this process of repair, integration, and growth, we'll work to build resilience, develop new skills, and deepen your sense of self - creating changes that extend beyond the therapy room.

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Frequently asked Questions

What happens in the first session?

Our first session is a chance to get to know each other. We’ll discuss what’s brought you to therapy and what you hope to get out of our work together. Sessions run for 50 minutes. You don’t need to prepare anything special for our first meeting, but if you have, that’s okay too. Just come as you are. There’s no pressure to share everything right away; you can go at your own pace. This is just the beginning of our work together.

I’ve never been to therapy before… what should I expect?

That’s completely okay! Therapy is simply a space for you to explore and untangle your thoughts, feelings, and experiences together in a way that feels safe, supportive and with no judgement. It’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous at first, many people do, but most find they start to relax as we talk. No pressure to share everything at once - we go at your pace.

Do you offer rebates or accept Mental Health Care Plans (MHCP)?

I don’t take Mental Health Care Plans or offer Medicare rebates. My practice is structured to provide ongoing therapy, without the restrictions or session limits that come with rebate schemes. This allows us to work together at a pace that feels right for you, without the pressure to fit progress or to "get it all done" within a set number of sessions.

As a registered psychotherapist, you don’t need a referral to work with me. Our sessions remain completely confidential and nothing is shared on your medical record. If you ever need a progress letter for your GP, we can discuss and arrange that together.

What are your fees and how long is each session?

Sessions will vary depending on each individual's needs.

My fees are:

For Individual Psychotherapy and Counselling:

50mins session - $180 inc. GST

75mins session - $230 inc. GST

90 mins session - $260 inc. GST

For EMDR:

50 mins session - $200 inc. GST

90mins session - $280 inc. GST

For Supervision:

50mins session - $180 inc. GST

75mins session - $230 inc. GST

What is your cancellation policy?

Sometimes life happens and plans need to change. If you cancel with more than 48 hours’ notice, there’s no fee. Cancellations made between 24–48 hours are charged at half the session fee, and those made with less than 24 hours’ notice (or missed sessions) are charged at the full fee.

How often should I come to therapy?

My intention is for us to build an ongoing relationship, which is why I recommend weekly or fortnightly face to face sessions to begin with. This consistency helps create trust, momentum, and space for meaningful change.

From there, we’ll find a rhythm that suits you, whether that’s continuing regularly, spacing sessions out, or pausing when it feels right. Some people come short-term to work on a specific challenge, while others stay longer to explore deeper patterns or trauma. It’s also completely normal to return to therapy at different points in life, during transitions, when new challenges arise, or simply when you’re ready to explore more.

What is your approach to therapy?

My work is trauma-informed, person-centred, and deeply relational.

I work collaboratively, shaping the process with you through curiosity and openness, and making space for both what feels difficult and what feels possible.

My approach is also empowering, I’ll support you to draw on your strengths, resilience, and capacity for growth, so you can experience new ways of relating to your challenges, to yourself, and to those around you.

How long will I be in therapy?

There’s no set timeline - everyone’s journey is different. Some people come in for a few sessions to work through a specific challenge, while others engage in longer-term therapy to explore deeper patterns and personal growth. You always have choices - you can pause, stop, or change the frequency of sessions whenever you need.

Do you only provide counselling in Brisbane?

I offer in-person therapy in Brisbane and online therapy across Australia and internationally. No matter where you are, we can work together.

What issues do you not work with?

I do not work with clients who are in high-risk crisis situations or require intensive crisis intervention. If you are experiencing acute distress, suicidal thoughts, or require immediate support, I strongly encourage you to reach out to crisis services such as Lifeline (13 11 14), your GP, or a crisis mental health team in your area. Therapy with me is best suited for individuals looking for ongoing support, personal growth, and healing in a safe, structured space.

EMDR and trauma-informed care for Hawthorne residents

For clients carrying trauma, I offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) - an evidence-based therapy that helps your brain reprocess distressing memories so they no longer feel as charged. Combined with my background in Gestalt psychotherapy and somatic awareness, the work pays attention to body, breath, and the relationship between us - not just thoughts. Healing often happens in the spaces between words.

A relational approach, grounded in real life
My approach is warm, collaborative, and unhurried. I do not believe in scripts or one-size-fits-all programs. Every person who comes through the door brings their own story, pace, and questions, and my role is to meet you there. As Carl Rogers put it: "the curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." That spirit runs through every session.

Book counselling in Hawthorne today
Whether you are a long-time Hawthorne local or new to the riverside east, you are welcome to reach out. Book your free 15-minute consult or email hello@therapywithtaf.com. Sessions are available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm AEST.

Book your free consult today.

Book in a 15min catch up with me. This is an opportunity for us to connect, discuss what brings you to therapy, and explore how I can support you.

Book Free 15min Consult