Joshua O’Sullivan – Registered Counsellor

I became passionate about counselling and psychology through an interest in what it means to live well. I grew up in a medical family, living in Australia and the UK, and I have always been fascinated by what wellbeing actually is, and how to practice it.

Throughout my early experiences, I began applying psychological ideas, tools, and philosophies to my own life, and I saw how much of a difference they made to my wellbeing, relationships, empowerment, and fulfilment. These experiences stayed with me, and led me to study psychology and counselling at university, and eventually to working with individuals, couples, and families around a wide range of concerns, concerns that all seem to ultimately revolve around the topic of increasing wellbeing, and reducing suffering. I now have four years of full time experience working as a counsellor, and I am currently training as a psychologist at Deakin University.

What I value most about therapy is the opportunity to sit with someone and really understand how things are for them, without judgement, and to work together to make sense of their experience, and understand how they have adapted to pursue and answer their own questions of wellbeing. I feel it to be a great pleasure and privilege to support someone in developing their own personal, accessible, practical, and empowering framework of wellbeing, so that they can best be who they want to be, and live the life they want to live.

Therapeutic Approach

I take a collaborative and flexible approach to therapy. I don’t believe there is a single method that works for everyone, so I aim to adapt our work to suit you, whether that’s more practical and structured, or more reflective and exploratory.

A big part of my work involves helping clients develop a clearer understanding of themselves, their thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and patterns. From there, we can begin to explore ways of responding differently, building skills, and moving toward what matters to you.

My work is grounded in evidence-based approaches, including:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
• Mindfulness-based approaches
• Narrative therapy

At the same time, I place a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship itself – creating a space that feels respectful, calm, and supportive. Empathy, respect and presence are bedrocks of my work with clients, and this respect will be the encompassing context of our work together.

What I Work With

I have experience working with anxiety, stress, depression, self-confidence, life transitions, self-expression, assertiveness, procrastination, productivity, issues with self-worth, anger management, and addiction

Qualifications

• Master of Counselling, Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC)
• Bachelor of Psychological Science, Deakin University
• Diploma of Counselling, AIPC

• Advanced training in:
  • Addiction
  • Mindfulness-based therapies
  • Relationship counselling
  • Child development and parenting
  • Family therapy
• Member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA)