Counselling in Cairns.
Make sense of what's happening. Find your way forward.
I'm Allan Bunyan, a qualified counsellor based in Cairns. I help people work through trauma, anxiety, stress, grief and difficult changes in life, including adjusting after illness or injury. Counselling gives you space to talk things through and explore practical strategies that suit you.
Room 22, Level 2
129A Lake Street
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, by appointment
Phone, video and live chat counselling
$110 for 50 minutes
View fees
Hi, I'm Allan. Let's talk.
I provide individual counselling to adults and young people aged 14 and over, face-to-face in Cairns and online across Australia.
I'm a qualified counsellor with a practical, collaborative and trauma-informed approach. I help people make sense of what's happening in their lives, explore difficult experiences and discover their own strategies for moving forward.
Alongside my professional qualifications, I bring lived experience. I've used a wheelchair since I was 10 years old and live with an upper limb difference. My lived experience has given me a personal understanding of some of the challenges that can come with disability, changes in independence, adjusting to circumstances outside your control and finding your place when life doesn't go as expected. I've experienced challenges that can't always be understood through textbooks or professional training alone. That experience has influenced how I approach counselling, particularly the importance of listening, understanding someone's individual circumstances and not making assumptions about what they need. I recognise that everyone's lived experience is different. I'm not here to compare experiences or tell you how to live your life. My role is to work alongside you as you explore what matters to you and what moving forward could look like.You might be dealing with more than one thing.
People come to counselling for different reasons. Sometimes there's one experience they want to work through. Other times, several things have built up.
Trauma and past experiences
Memories, emotional reactions, difficulties with trust or experiences that continue to affect your life.
Anxiety and overthinking
Ongoing worry, feeling on edge or finding it hard to switch off.
Stress and overwhelm
Pressure at work, at home or in everyday life that feels hard to manage.
Grief and loss
Bereavement, separation, loss of independence or a major change in circumstances.
Illness, injury and disability
Adjusting to changes in health, ability, independence or how you see yourself.
Relationships and life changes
Relationship difficulties, confidence, identity and uncertainty about what comes next.
What would you like life to feel like?
You may not be able to change every circumstance, but you can identify what you'd like to be different.
Finding things difficult
- Going over the same worries
- Feeling overwhelmed by emotions
- Avoiding situations that feel uncomfortable
- Questioning yourself or your decisions
- Feeling unsure about the future
Changes that matter to you
- Feeling better able to manage worry
- Having ways to respond to difficult emotions
- Growing confidence in everyday situations
- Feeling more comfortable making choices
- Having a clearer sense of direction
These are examples of possible goals, not guaranteed counselling outcomes.
Areas I work with.
I offer counselling for a range of personal concerns. You don't need to know which category fits before getting in touch.
Choose how you'd prefer to talk.
Counselling can take place in person, by phone, by video or through a real-time written conversation.
Face-to-face counselling
Meet at Room 22, 129A Lake Street, Cairns City. Tuesday and Wednesday appointments are available subject to availability.
View Location and Access Details →Phone and video counselling
Attend from a suitable private space without travelling to Cairns. Sessions are available across Australia.
Enquire About Online Sessions →Live Chat Counselling
Prefer typing rather than talking? Have a scheduled, real-time counselling session through secure written messages.
Explore Live Chat Counselling →Home visits may also be discussed by arrangement. Suitability depends on location, wheelchair accessibility and safety.
What happens during counselling?
We work collaboratively and at a pace that feels manageable. You do not have to share painful experiences before you're ready.
I may draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Gestalt Therapy and emotionally focused approaches, according to your needs.
We discuss what brought you in
We begin with what's happening in your life and what you'd like help with.
We explore what may be contributing
We look at relevant patterns, experiences, thoughts and emotions, without assuming there is one simple explanation.
We agree on what to work on
Together we consider strategies, possible next steps and how you want to use future sessions.
Counselling in Cairns City.
My counselling room is on the second floor at 129A Lake Street, Cairns City. Here is what you need to know before attending.
Room 22, Level 2
129A Lake Street
Cairns City QLD 4870
View on Google Maps →
Take the lift to Level 2, turn right when you exit, and Room 22 is just there.
The room is accessible using a manual wheelchair via the lift. Larger powered wheelchairs cannot be accommodated due to the lift's size.
On-street parking and a nearby council car park are available.
A Lake Street bus stop is immediately outside the building.
Home visits may be considered by arrangement. As I use a wheelchair, I need to confirm suitable access to the property and assess relevant safety considerations before agreeing to a visit.
Questions about accessibility? Please contact me before booking if you are unsure about wheelchair access or would like to discuss a suitable appointment option.
Taking the first step can be simple.
You can ask questions before deciding whether counselling is right for you.
Send a message
Ask a question or request a Free 15-minute introduction. You don't need to explain everything straight away.
I'll reply personally
I'll respond to discuss your questions, what support you are looking for and available appointment options.
Arrange counselling
If you decide to proceed, we can confirm an appointment and how you would prefer to attend.
Questions about counselling in Cairns.
What happens in my first counselling session?
In your first session, we'll discuss what brought you to counselling, what's been happening in your life and what you'd like help with. I'll explain how counselling works, including confidentiality, and together we can agree on where you'd like to start.
You don't need to have everything figured out or explain your whole story in one appointment.
Is counselling confidential?
Counselling is private, and your personal information is handled in accordance with professional and privacy obligations. Confidentiality has limits, including situations involving serious safety concerns, certain safeguarding or reporting obligations, and disclosures required or authorised by law.
I'll explain these limits as part of the counselling process. You can also read the Strong Foundation Support Privacy Policy .
How much does counselling cost?
A private 50-minute counselling session costs $110. NDIS billing arrangements may differ. See the Counselling Fees page for details.
Can counselling help with trauma?
Trauma-informed counselling can help you explore how difficult experiences may affect your feelings, reactions, relationships and everyday life. You don't have to recount painful experiences in detail before you're ready.
Learn more about Trauma Counselling in Cairns .
Can I have counselling online?
Yes. I offer phone and video counselling Australia-wide, as well as Live Chat Counselling . Live chat is a real-time written counselling session during a booked appointment.
Is the Cairns counselling room accessible?
My room is Room 22, Level 2, 129A Lake Street, Cairns City. The lift accommodates manual wheelchair users but is too small for larger powered wheelchairs.
Please contact me if you'd like to discuss accessibility or an alternative appointment format.
Can I use NDIS funding for counselling?
Counselling may be available to eligible self-managed and plan-managed participants where it relates to disability-related support needs and meets plan funding requirements. Funding needs to be confirmed before services begin.
Read more about NDIS Counselling in Cairns .
What is the Free 15-minute introduction?
It's a free 15-minute conversation, by phone or online, where you can ask questions, find out how counselling works and consider whether my service suits what you're looking for.
It isn't a counselling session, and there's no obligation to book afterwards.
Ready to talk about what's been happening?
Whether you're dealing with trauma, anxiety, stress, grief or changes in life, you can start by asking a question or arranging an introduction.
Face-to-face counselling in Cairns City and online counselling Australia-wide. Strong Foundation Support is not a crisis or emergency service. For immediate danger, call 000.
