About Us
About Cathy Kunzel
Founder of First Step Counselling (2016)
Marriage & Family Counsellor | Trauma-Informed Therapist | Psychotherapy Specialist
Cathy Kunzel is a qualified and compassionate counsellor with over 19 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through life’s most challenging seasons. With formal qualifications including a Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the Australian Institute of Family Counselling (2023), an Advanced Diploma in Marriage and Family Counselling (2003), and certification in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST, 2018), Cathy brings both deep academic grounding and heartfelt understanding to her work.
Cathy is a licensed Marriage and Family Counsellor with specialist experience in:
- Trauma
- Marriage and Relationship Issues
- Anxiety & Depression
- Grief and Isolation
- Emotional Resilience and Personal Growth
Over the past decade, Cathy has run her own private practice, helping clients navigate life transitions, relationship struggles, emotional blocks, and personal growth journeys. Her professional background also includes 7 years at Lifeline Australia and 3 years at Beyond Blue, giving her extensive frontline experience in suicide prevention, crisis support, and mental health intervention.
My Counselling Approach
I believe that every person is unique — and that true healing begins when we feel seen, heard, and accepted just as we are.
We are all different and can learn to celebrate those differences, but sometimes life feels like we’re taking three steps forward and two steps back. This is where I can help.
In our first session, I’ll take the time to listen carefully to your concerns, help you identify the core issues, and together we’ll create a plan for meaningful change. You’ll be supported in a confidential, non-judgemental, and professional environment where you’re free to express your thoughts and feelings openly.
I often work in the space between what’s familiar and what feels uncertain — because this is where the greatest personal growth tends to happen. Whether it’s shifting your perspective, learning new behaviours, or finding constructive ways to manage what’s beyond your control, my approach is always tailored, respectful, and led by your needs and goals.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Whether you’re facing relationship challenges, feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or isolation, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of yourself, I’m here to walk beside you with empathy, wisdom, and care. You don’t have to do it alone — together, we can take the next step toward healing and growth.
CREDENTIALS
To all Clients of First Step Counselling
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.
We are following Australian Health guidelines and procedures by:
- 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
We also ask that you let us know if you:
- have a fever, cough, or respiratory systems
- have traveled overseas/interstate in the last 14 days
- have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 or been in a COVID-19 hot spot
4-6 sessions with Cathy and I rate her 5/5 for empathy, compassion and non judgemental attitude. I would use First Step Counselling again if the need arose and refer my friends and family. Thank you Cathy for your insight and compassion during my counselling sessions. You helped me to see some things differently than I was and that really helped me. Thank you.
Client chooses to remain completely anonomous August, 2016