Cathy Kunzel
Marriage & Family Counsellor | Trauma-Informed Therapist | Psychotherapy & Mental Health Specialist
With 19+ years’ experience in counselling, I support individuals, couples, and families through trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and life transitions. I hold a Graduate Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy (2023), Advanced Diploma in Marriage & Family Counselling (2003), and ASIST certification (2018).
My background includes 7 years with Lifeline Australia, 3 years with Beyond Blue, and 9 years in private practice. I offer a warm, professional, and non-judgemental space where my clients are empowered to explore, heal, and grow.
I have developed a wide set of skills, to successfully attend to your needs and to prevent the situations that trigger restlessness and anxiety. These are just a few of the situations I can help you with:
The value of First Step Counselling is to walk alongside my clients in a manner which shows Integrity, Excellence, Honesty and Respect.
A person’s past does not define them, it is the foundation on which a unique and amazing future can be built.
I take the privilege of walking alongside my clients very seriously. Life can be hard and full of uncertainties and challenges. However, I believe every person has the answers to their own situations within them and my position in the process is to assist them to uncover those answers.
Interactions will be appropriate for my clients to deliver the most individualized and personalized interventions. I will provide high quality support with care and compassion. Only through trust, and belief in the strength of the human spirit and honest communication can a client begin to feel empowered enough to move ahead in healthy and resilient ways.
I will aim for person-centred; trauma-informed care, by continually developing my skills and knowledge through relevant training to improve the quality my service.
First Step Counselling will always respect cultural, racial, religious, gender and other diversities. I believe every person is unique and has his or her own individual and cultural values. My mission is to provide a counselling service to all persons from all backgrounds and socio-economic context, regardless of age, life stage or situation.
Thank you for trusting me to assist you with your emotional needs. The world is a far different place than it was as we started into 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we live, interact and even trust each other.
First Step Counselling is committed to being there for you to help you navigate our ever changing world. to this end we have taken the following necessary steps to do our part in helping limit the spread of the virus.
- Practicing social distancing and limiting contact including handshakes.
- Washing/sanitizing hands before every client
- Cleaning down all touchable areas, door handles, tables and chairs before every client
- have a fever, cough or cold. If so, please do a RAT, and if positive, call in to rebook. If negative test but still have cold symptoms, you can still come in for your appointment, but as children live in these premises, I ask that you wear a mask or reschedule.
