Counselling for people who want to grow - Keilor - Melbourne - Australia

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‍Individual Counselling  - Melbourne & Online


‍Life can reach a point where the usual ways of managing stop working. You might feel stuck in patterns you can't shift, overwhelmed by emotions that don't make sense, or simply aware that something needs to change — even if you can't name exactly what.


‍Individual counselling provides a dedicated, confidential space to slow down and look honestly at what's happening. Not to fix you — you're not broken — but to help you reconnect with your own clarity, values, and capacity to move forward.


‍My approach is both supportive and purposeful. I bring empathy and genuine interest in your experience, alongside a willingness to ask the questions that open things up, challenge unhelpful patterns, and hold you to the work of change. Counselling here is not passive. It requires your honesty and commitment. In return, you get my full professional attention and a space that is genuinely safe.


‍What People Come With


‍People seek individual counselling for a wide range of reasons. There's no threshold you have to reach before you're entitled to support.


‍Common presentations include:


  • Anxiety and overthinking - persistent worry, physical tension, difficulty switching off

  • Depression and low mood -  flatness, withdrawal, loss of motivation or pleasure

  • Burnout and workplace stress - emotional exhaustion, cynicism, reduced performance

  • Grief and loss - bereavement, relationship endings, loss of identity or purpose

  • Life transitions - career change, separation, relocation, retirement, becoming a parent

  • Relationship difficulties - conflict patterns, communication breakdown, loneliness within relationships

  • Trauma and its effects - intrusive memories, hypervigilance, difficulty trusting

  • Identity, meaning, and direction - a sense that life isn't aligned with who you are or want to be
     
  • A general sense that something needs to change - even when it's hard to articulate


‍You don't need to arrive with a clear problem statement. Sometimes the first work is simply figuring out what the work is.


‍How Individual Counselling Works


‍Sessions are 50–60 minutes, conducted in person in Melbourne or via telehealth across Australia.


‍The first session focuses on understanding your situation — what's brought you here, what your experience has been, and what you're hoping to move toward. This is also your opportunity to assess whether my approach feels like the right fit. Therapeutic relationship matters, and I take it seriously.


‍From there, sessions are collaborative and goal-informed. We work together to clarify what matters most to you, identify the patterns and beliefs that are keeping you stuck, and build the insight and practical skills needed to create real, lasting change.


‍My practice integrates a range of evidence-based approaches, drawn on as relevant to your needs:


  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - identifying and shifting unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - psychological flexibility and values-based living

  • Mindfulness-based approaches - developing present-moment awareness and emotional regulation

  • Trauma-informed practice - working safely and at your pace with difficult experiences

  • Existential and person-centred approaches - exploring meaning, identity, and what it means to live well

  • Strengths-based practice - building on what you already have, not only addressing what's wrong


‍I don't use a one-size approach. The work is shaped around you.


‍What to Expect


‍Counselling is not a quick fix, and I won't pretend otherwise. Real change takes time, honesty, and a willingness to sit with discomfort.  Most people begin to notice a shift — in perspective, in their responses, in their sense of self — within the first few sessions, even when the bigger work continues longer.


‍What you can expect from me:


  • Confidentiality - your sessions are private and protected by professional ethical standards

  • Respect - for your experience, your pace, and your autonomy

  • Honesty -  I will name what I notice, including things that might be uncomfortable to hear

  • Consistency - I show up prepared and fully present to your work


‍What I'll ask of you:


  • Willingness to engage honestly, even when it's difficult

  • Commitment to the process between sessions — change happens in your life, not just in this room

  • Openness to being gently challenged



‍Is This the Right Fit?


‍Individual counselling with me may suit you if:


  • You want more than symptom management — you want to understand what's driving what you experience

  • You're willing to take responsibility for your growth, alongside being supported

  • You value depth, integrity, and a counsellor who is both warm and direct

  • You want a professional relationship grounded in evidence and ethical practice


‍This may not be the right fit if you're seeking advice-only support, or if your needs are better served by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or medical practitioner. I'm happy to assist you find the right referral if that's the case.



‍About Paul Hammat OAM


‍I am a PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellor and Certified Supervisor with 18+ years of experience supporting individuals across a wide range of presenting concerns. I hold a Master of Social Science (Counselling) from UniSA and have been recognised with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for my professional contribution.


‍I work with adults across all stages of life — those navigating acute distress, those in longer-term growth work, and everyone in between.


‍Learn more about my background and approach



Take the First Step


‍Reaching out is often the hardest part. A free 15-minute consultation is available to help you decide whether this is the right fit before committing to a session.


‍Book a Free Consultation
Make an Enquiry


‍Sessions available in person - Keilor, Melbourne - and via telehealth Australia-wide.



‍Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need counselling? 

‍If something is affecting your quality of life — your sleep, your relationships, your sense of self, your ability to function — that's a reasonable signal to seek support. You don't need to be in crisis. Many people come to counselling during periods of transition or growth, not only difficulty.


‍How long will I need to come for?

‍This varies significantly. Some people work through a specific issue in 6–10 sessions. Others engage in longer-term work over months or years. We'll review progress together and you're always in control of how long you continue.


‍What's the difference between a counsellor and a psychologist?

‍Both provide evidence-based psychological support. Psychologists in Australia have government-subsidised sessions under a Mental Health Care Plan (via a GP referral). PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellors like myself are not currently eligible for Medicare rebates, though some private health funds offer rebates — check the Rebates page for details. The quality of the therapeutic work depends far more on the individual practitioner than on the professional title.


‍Can I do counselling online?

‍Yes. Telehealth sessions are available across Australia and are just as effective as in-person sessions for most presentations. All you need is a private space and a reliable internet connection.


‍What if I've tried counselling before and it didn't help?

‍Prior experience that wasn't helpful is worth talking about — it often reveals something important about what you need. A different approach, a different focus, or simply a different therapeutic relationship can make a significant difference.


‍Is everything I say confidential?  

‍Yes, with narrow exceptions required by law — if there is risk of serious harm to yourself or others. I'll explain confidentiality clearly in our first session.

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