Cairns counsellor who understands disability, injury and life changes.
I'm Allan Bunyan, a counsellor based in Cairns City. I've used a wheelchair since childhood and have worked in the NDIS sector since 2018, bringing both lived and professional experience to my work. I understand how challenging life can become when disability, injury, illness or unexpected changes affect your independence and wellbeing.
I offer practical, confidential and down-to-earth counselling for disability, NDIS-related stress, anxiety, burnout, trauma, grief, addiction and major life changes. My approach is straightforward, supportive and focused on what matters to you.
I also provide EAP counselling for Cairns workplaces and Support Worker Wellbeing Sessions for people working in the disability and community services sectors.
Appointments are available face-to-face in Cairns City or by phone and video across Australia.
Room 22, Level 2, 129A Lake Street
Tuesday and Wednesday appointments
Visit in person or connect online
Self-managed or plan-managed NDIS participants
Choose an appointment that suits you.
Choose face-to-face counselling at my Cairns City room, or a telehealth appointment. The calendar shows the available times for your selection.
Private face-to-face counselling
Choose an available Tuesday or Wednesday appointment in Cairns City.
Private telehealth counselling
Secure phone or video counselling from a private space.
NDIS face-to-face counselling
In-person counselling for eligible self-managed and plan-managed participants.
NDIS telehealth counselling
Phone, video or scheduled live chat for eligible NDIS participants.
Free meet and greet
A short phone call to ask about the counselling service. I’ll call you at your selected time.
Support coordination enquiry
Talk with me about your support coordination needs.
Need help booking? Contact Allan or call 0423 763 712.
You might know something needs to change, but not what to do next.
Maybe a diagnosis, injury or illness has changed your life. Maybe the NDIS is wearing you down, or you've been holding a lot together for a long time. You can start counselling with whatever is most pressing now.
Illness, injury or disability
Adjusting to changes in independence, health, work or daily life.
NDIS and support system stress
Plan reviews, reassessments, providers and paperwork that never seems to end.
Family, carers and relationships
The strain disability, illness or caring can put on you and the people around you.
Stress and burnout
Feeling stretched, exhausted or overwhelmed, at home or at work.
Anxiety and overthinking
Constant worry, feeling on edge or struggling to switch off.
Grief and loss
Bereavement, separation, or grieving the life you expected to have.
Support for what you're dealing with.
I offer one-to-one counselling at my Cairns City room. You don't have to choose a category before booking; these pages explain some of the concerns we can work through together.
NDIS counselling
For eligible self-managed and plan-managed participants, subject to funding rules.
Learn more →Individual counselling
Personal challenges, relationships and changes in life.
Learn more →Trauma counselling
Understanding the impact of past experiences, at your pace.
Learn more →Anxiety counselling
Worry, overthinking, stress and difficult emotional reactions.
Learn more →Grief counselling
Bereavement, loss and adjusting after major changes.
Learn more →Men's counselling
Stress, emotions, identity, relationships and frustration.
Learn more →You can also read about addiction counselling in Cairns, EAP counselling for workplaces or counselling fees.
Hi, I'm Allan.
I'm Allan Bunyan, a Cairns-based counsellor with a Diploma of Counselling and membership with Certified Practising Counsellors Australia (CPCA #47516). I work with adults and young people aged 12 and over. Read about counselling for teenagers in Cairns.
My approach is practical, person-centred and trauma-informed. I listen first and work with you to understand what's going on, rather than telling you what decisions to make.
I've used a wheelchair since childhood. I came to counselling after years working in the NDIS, starting in support coordination in 2018, where I saw how hard the system can be for people to get through. That shapes how I work. I know people's circumstances are often more complicated than they look from the outside, but your experience is your own, and I won't assume I know it.
I also work with Far North Queensland businesses, offering EAP counselling for staff and support for owners and managers. Read about EAP counselling in Cairns.
“I help people make sense of what's going on in their life so they can feel less overwhelmed and more confident about what comes next.”
Allan Bunyan | CounsellorWe can begin with what's hardest at the moment. You won't be expected to tell your whole story in your first appointment. More on what happens in your first counselling session.
Making sense of your experiences, managing difficult emotions and exploring strategies that fit your life.
You don't need to prepare the perfect explanation.
A first session is about understanding what's brought you here and what you want help with. There is no pressure to discuss painful experiences before you're ready.
Start with what's happening
Talk about what has been difficult lately and how it's affecting everyday life.
Decide what matters
We'll discuss your concerns, goals, confidentiality and how counselling might be useful.
Work out a way forward
We can explore practical strategies and whether further sessions would be worthwhile for you.
Still have questions before your first session? Ask Allan a question.
A Cairns City counselling room you can visit.
I welcome people from Cairns and nearby communities, including Edmonton, Bentley Park, Gordonvale, Redlynch, Smithfield and the Tablelands. Face-to-face appointments take place in Cairns City on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Unit 22/129a Lake St, Cairns City QLD 4870. Appointments are by booking.
Phone and video counselling are available across Far North Queensland and Australia, at the times shown in the booking calendar.
Booked real-time live chat counselling is available through selected appointment types.
Before you book.
How much does a counselling session cost?
A standard individual counselling session is $110 for 50 minutes. The same base session fee applies to eligible self-managed or plan-managed NDIS counselling. Any extra work, such as requested reports or letters, is explained and agreed before it is undertaken. Read the fees page.
Do I need a GP referral or mental health care plan?
No. You can book private counselling directly. Medicare and private health insurance rebates are not available for these sessions. Not sure whether you need a counsellor or a psychologist? Read the difference between a counsellor and a psychologist.
Can I use NDIS funding?
Counselling may be possible for self-managed or plan-managed NDIS participants where it relates to disability impacts, goals and eligible funding. Funding must be confirmed before services begin. Strong Foundation Support is not an NDIS registered provider. Read how NDIS counselling funding works.
Do you see clients from Gordonvale, Edmonton or the Tablelands?
Yes. I welcome clients travelling from Cairns and nearby communities to the Cairns City counselling room on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If travel doesn't suit, phone and video appointments are available across Far North Queensland and Australia.
What happens after I book?
Select your appointment format in the booking section and choose an available time. You’ll receive the booking details and any next steps.
What if I'm unsure whether counselling will help?
You're welcome to ask a question before booking. A free 15-minute introduction may be available as a meet-and-greet to discuss the service; it is not a counselling session. You can also book a standard session directly. You might find three ways counselling can help useful, or try the free counselling resources.
Is counselling confidential?
Counselling is private, with limits to confidentiality such as certain serious safety concerns, safeguarding obligations and disclosures required or authorised by law. We'll discuss this at your first session. Read the privacy policy.
You can start with one conversation.
Looking for a counsellor in Cairns? We can start by talking about what's been happening and what you'd like help with. Visit me in Cairns City or book a phone or video session if that suits you better.
Strong Foundation Support is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate danger call 000. For 24-hour crisis support in Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.