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Small Steps Counselling

Counselling for Counsellors: supporting those who support others...

Business logo featuring an image of a foot, coloured green with the image of a smaller white foot inside, alongside the business name

Hello and welcome...

My name is Kristy and I am owner and counsellor at

Small Steps Counselling.

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I specialise in providing personalised support to counselling students and newly graduated counsellors as they navigate the complexities of juggling their studies, personal struggles, client work and early career development.

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Counselling students and new graduates - if you’re feeling

overwhelmed by the demands of your coursework,

adversely affected by course content, feeling challenged with separating personal and professional responses in session, and/or struggling with the transition into client work and client management,

you are definitely not alone!

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I've experienced these same concerns firsthand.

From coursework-triggered emotions, uncertainty in my skills and ability, nervousness about my readiness for client work, logistics of juggling client sessions and caseloads, to the weightiness of hearing and holding space for the array of client stories - the whole gamut!

And all whilst managing my own personal struggles and trying not to become overwhelmed or burned out.

There's lots to contend with in the student-new graduate phase!

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In fact, the "learning-to-become-a-counsellor" to "newly-practising-as-a-counsellor" years can be a real rollercoaster of highs/lows, emotions and challenges, that's for sure! Which is why it's so imperative that new counsellors continually work on building their strengths, resilience and wellbeing. I am 100% invested in helping to ensure new counsellors experience sustainable, enjoyable career longevity.

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That's why I'm dedicated to supporting those who support others - because even counsellors need someone to lean on and talk to.

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I'm here to offer counselling students and new graduates an understanding, compassionate, nonjudgmental space to explore any struggles and find tailored, beneficial solutions. 

Whether you're grappling with coursework overload, battling self-doubt, feeling daunted by the prospect of managing client sessions or striving to overcome personal issues, for example, I'll help you take

achievable steps towards personal and professional growth and confidence.​​​

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​​​​It's the guiding aim of my services to create a collaborative, empowering and client-centred environment where we can take

small, self-paced steps to address your concerns, develop your

skills, and identify the supports you need to

learn, grow, heal and thrive.​

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​You don't have to navigate your early-career path alone – choosing to work with me means having a compassionate, dedicated ally to listen, guide and support you every step of the way.​

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Let's work together to ensure you're at your best personally, so that you're at your best professionally as a counsellor for your clients.

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- Small Steps, Big Breakthroughs -

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Why Choose Small Steps Counselling?

At Small Steps the support you receive is:

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 Individually tailored to your specific needs 

Centred on your overall growth and wellbeing

 Integrative, eclectic and collaborative in approach 

 Nonjudgemental, inclusive, neuro-affirming and trauma-informed 

Welcoming, affirming and safe for LGBTQIA+ and gender diverse individuals

 Delivered by a qualified, registered and experienced counsellor 

Support Areas may include...

Exploring Triggers

Addressing lived experience or vicarious trauma

Boundary setting

Self-reflection and insight

Developing your self-awareness & confidence

Processing countertransference

Minimising Stress, Tension & overwhelm

self-care & burnout prevention

Enhancing your competence & resilience

Perfectionism or fear of failure

Isolation or lack of support

Identity or diversity issues

coping skill & Strategy building

Ethical dilemmas or professional conduct

Client Stories...

(For privacy and confidentiality reasons - names, ages and client stories are fictionalised examples of real cases) 

Client - "Sarah, 34 yrs"

Background: Sarah is currently enrolled in a post-graduate diploma in counselling. She has always been passionate about helping others and felt drawn to the field of counselling due to her own experiences with mental health issues in the past. Sarah comes from a supportive family but has struggled with anxiety and low self-esteem since her teenage years. She decided to pursue counselling as a career to better understand herself and help others navigate similar challenges.

Current Situation: As Sarah progresses through her counselling course, she finds herself increasingly triggered by course material that delves into topics such as trauma, attachment and family dynamics. Discussions about these subjects bring up painful memories from her own past and intensify her feelings of anxiety and self-doubt. Sarah worries that her personal struggles will hinder her ability to be an effective counsellor and fears being judged by her peers and instructors.

Goals for Counselling: Sarah sought a safe and supportive space where she could explore her personal issues, gain insight into how they impact her reactions to course content and develop coping strategies to manage her emotions more effectively. She also wanted to address unresolved issues from her past and build confidence in her ability to navigate the challenges of both her training and future career as a counsellor.

Services...

two people sitting across from each other in wooden chairs

Intake Counselling Session - New Clients

student counselling / counselling for counsellors

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​1-to-1, Adult Clients, Telehealth Session​

1 hr I $140

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two people sitting across from each other in wooden chairs

Counselling Session - Ongoing Clients

student counselling / counselling for counsellors

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​1-to-1, Adult Clients, Telehealth Session​

1 hr I $140

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'TALK & TREAD' COUNSELLING SESSION 

Ongoing Clients Only        

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​​1-to-1, Adult Clients, BRISBANE-BASED, Designated Location

​​1 hr I $140

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Peer Supervision Session      

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1-to-1, Student / Graduate Clients, Telehealth Session

​45 min I $90

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Student Support      

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1-to-1, Adult Students, Virtual Session

Course Tutoring / Study Skills / Assessment Help

​45 mins I $90

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some Inspiration...

"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity."

Amelia Earhart

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