Hi, I’m Allan.

I’m a certified counsellor (CPCA) based in Cairns, providing individual counselling for adults and young people aged 14 years and over. I also offer telehealth counselling available Australia-wide.

I work with people who are feeling overwhelmed, under pressure, or emotionally worn down, as well as those navigating grief, trauma, crisis situations, addictions and substance use concerns, and major life changes. I also provide counselling support for NDIS participants.

Why I work the way I do
My approach is grounded, practical, and relational, informed by evidence-based and trauma-informed practice. I focus on helping people slow things down, make sense of what is happening beneath the surface, and build steadiness over time.

I don’t rush the process or push people toward quick fixes. Many people tell me they feel steadier simply having the space to talk things through without being judged, analysed, or pressured to perform.

Earlier in my life, I represented Australia in swimming and held world records. High-performance sport gave me direct insight into pressure, expectations, performance anxiety, identity, and how quickly life can change when circumstances shift.

I have also trained as a competitive marksman. This reinforced the importance of focus, controlled breathing, emotional regulation, and decision-making under pressure. I regularly see these same internal dynamics reflected in the everyday challenges people bring into counselling.

Alongside this, I am a partner and parent. Being a family man has deepened my understanding of responsibility, boundaries, connection, and the quiet emotional load many people carry while trying to hold things together for others. This informs how I work with people navigating family stress, role strain, and the tension between personal needs and the needs of those they care about.

I also live with disability. This gives me a genuine understanding of the emotional and practical challenges that can come with injury, chronic stress, navigating systems, loss of independence, and changes to confidence or identity. This perspective supports my work with people whose wellbeing or sense of self has been impacted by long-term stress, health changes, or disability.