Welcome to
The Compassion Corner

We support clients experiencing:

• Anxiety, stress and overwhelm

• Depression, low mood or loss of motivation

• Grief and loss

• Relationship issues and family conflict

• Difficulty navigating life transitions and identity changes

• Trauma or painful past experiences

• Self-doubt, shame or a lound inner critic

• Emotional regulation challenges

• Burnout

If you’re unsure whether we can help, please reach out and we’ll guide you.

We are not an emergency service. If you are in crisis or need immediate assistance, please contact emergency or 24/7 support services such as:

• Lifeline – 13 11 14

• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636

• Mental Health Triage – 13 14 65

• Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) - 13 14 78

• 1800 RESPECT (domestic violence/sexual assault) - 1800 737 732

If you're in immediate danger, please call 000.

We both work with clients who have experienced trauma, however Susanna has a specialisation in Clinical Trauma which may suit clients with more complex trauma.

"I’ve never told anyone my full story. What if it’s too much?"

Susanna is trained specifically to hold "heavy" stories. You don’t have to worry about protecting her or filtering your experience. Her role is to be a steady, non-judgmental container for whatever you need to share. She will work at a pace that feels manageable for you, ensuring you never feel "flooded" or overwhelmed.

"Do I have to talk about everything right away?"

Not at all. In fact, in trauma-informed care, we often focus on safety and stabilisation first. We only go into the details when you feel grounded and ready. You are always in the driver’s seat; we go as slow as you need to go.

"How is Trauma counselling different from regular counselling?"

While general counselling is wonderful for navigating life's hurdles, a clinical trauma focus looks specifically at how traumatic events impact your brain, your nervous system, and your body.

We use frameworks like the Window of Tolerance to help you understand why you might feel "numb" or "hyper-alert," and we use specific techniques to help bring your system back into balance.

"I feel like I should be 'over it' by now. Is it too late to start?"

There is no "expiry date" on healing. Whether something happened twenty years ago or two months ago, your feelings are valid. Our goal isn't just to help you "get over it," but to help you integrate your experiences so they no longer have power over your present happiness.

"What actually happens in a first session?"

The first meeting is mostly about "the fit"—seeing if you feel comfortable and safe. We’ll chat very generally about what’s bringing you in, we’ll explain how we work, and we can decide together if we’re a good match. There is no pressure to share your deepest vulnerabilities in the first session.

Your comfort is our priority. In our sessions, you are always welcome to ask for a break, change the topic, or ask questions about the process.

This is a great question. While there is a significant overlap—as these professions provide high-quality "talk therapy" to help you navigate emotional challenges—the main differences lie in training and clinical focus.

Psychology: Focuses heavily on diagnosis and clinical assessment. Psychologists often use "top-down" approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to change thought patterns and behaviors. They are the traditional choice if you need a formal mental health diagnosis or psychometric testing.

Counselling: Focuses on current life challenges and transitions. It is generally "here-and-now" oriented, helping you develop practical coping strategies for specific issues like grief, relationship stress, or workplace burnout.

Psychotherapy: Goes deeper into the "why." It looks at long-term patterns, childhood roots, and the nervous system. Using somatic (body-mind connection) and emotion-focused tools, it aims for a fundamental shift in how you relate to yourself and the world, rather than just managing symptoms.

At The Compassion Corner, we bridge these worlds. We combine the practical tools of counselling with the deep-reaching, somatic, and trauma-informed methods of psychotherapy to offer a truly holistic path to wellness.

Yes. Your privacy and confidentiality are of the highest importance. Everything you share is treated with complete respect and discretion. The only exceptions, required by law are if:

• Mandatory Reporting: We are legally required to report risk of harm to self/others or concerns regarding child safety.

• Legal Obligation: We are served a court subpoena.

• Authorized Exchange: You have provided written consent to share information with a nominated third party (e.g., your GP).

• Professional Supervision: De-identified case details are shared with a clinical supervisor. to ensure the highest standard of care.

If this ever becomes a concern, we will always discuss next steps with you wherever possible. Further details on our privacy policy can be found here.

No, a referral from a GP is not required to access counselling or psychotherapy.

You are welcome to book an appointment directly here

We offer 60-minute individual sessions for $150 ($100 for concessions) and 60-minute couples sessions for $200 ($150 for concessions).

Concessions are available to full-time students and concession card holders.

Our fees are comparable to the "gap fee" you would pay to see a psychologist, and this fee structure is to ensure our services remain an affordable option for the community.

To ensure that appointments run smoothly for everyone, we kindly ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a session. This allows us to offer the time to someone else who may be waiting for support.

Currently, Medicare rebates are only available for sessions with Registered Psychologists. As Counsellors and Psychotherapists, we are registered with specialist bodies (such as ACA or PACFA) rather than AHPRA.

However, our standard fees are often comparable to the "gap fee" you would pay to see a psychologist, and this fee structure is to ensure our services remain an affordable option for the community.

Every person’s journey is unique. Some people find relief after a few sessions, while others value the ongoing support of longer-term therapy. We will check in with you regularly to ensure the pace and focus feel right for you. You are always in the driver's seat.

We believe the "right fit" between a therapist and client is vital. We offer a free, optional 15-minute Discovery chat via video. This is a chance for us to “meet”, for you to share a little about what you're looking for, and to see if we feel like the right match for you.

You are welcome to have a chat with Kim, Susanna, or both of us if that helps you decide. The same standards of confidentiality that apply to our therapy sessions apply to this call.

Book a Discovery Chat here‍ .

Yes. While we love meeting in person, we offer Microsoft Teams video sessions for your convenience. The fee remains the same for online sessions, as you receive the same dedicated time and clinical expertise.

You can book for your online session here.

You can book a session here or contact us via the Contact form here with any questions or appointment requests.

All sessions are 60 minutes. Our first meeting is about getting to know you. You might choose to:

• Share what has brought you to therapy at this time.

• Discuss your hopes, goals, and challenges

• Ask us any questions about how we work

• Discuss a tailored therapeutic approach for your needs

Subsequent sessions will build on the first session. Together we will delve into your issue more deeply and explore tools to best help you.

To make the most of our time together, we’ll ask you to complete a client intake form and confidentiality agreement before we meet. 

You can download the intake form here and the confidentiality form here.

(Note: On occasion, we may request to record a session for clinical supervision or personal reflection to ensure we are providing you with the best possible care. This is entirely optional, and we will always seek your written consent first.)

All you need to bring is yourself, your Medicare card or driver’s licence for identification and your concession card, if applicable. If you’d like, you may also bring:

• Notes about what you’re experiencing

• Questions you’d like to ask

• Anything that helps you feel comfortable

There is no pressure to prepare anything special. The session is for you.

We understand life happens! We are happy to reschedule an appointment up to three times. We ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to reschedule. This allows us to offer that time to someone else who may be waiting for support.

To help us maintain a sustainable practice, further requests to reschedule the same appointment after 3 times may result in a forfeited fee.

Yes, we support clients aged 15 and over. For teens, therapy sessions are gentle, age-appropriate and focused on emotional safety. We may invite a parent or caregiver to attend part of the first session if helpful, but the teen’s comfort and privacy are always our primary focus.