NDIS Counselling in Cairns Online Across Australia
In-person counselling in Cairns and telehealth counselling across Australia for adults and young people aged 14+.
Support with anxiety, grief, trauma, burnout, emotional regulation and adjusting to disability. No waitlist.
Prefer to speak directly? Call or text 0423 763 712NDIS COUNSELLING & DAILY LIFE
When disability affects daily life, counselling can support capacity building
Disability, injury, diagnosis, autism, ADHD, psychosocial disability, chronic illness, pain, or neurodivergence can affect more than emotions. It can affect routines, communication, relationships, independence, confidence, motivation, appointments, sensory needs, decision-making, and participation in daily life.
NDIS counselling may help when emotional wellbeing and functional capacity are connected. Support can focus on coping strategies, emotional regulation, self-advocacy, routines, communication skills, confidence, and ways to manage everyday pressure.
Emotional Regulation
Counselling can help participants notice triggers, understand what happens before overwhelm, and build strategies for calming, pausing, communicating, and recovering.
Burnout & Exhaustion
Constant appointments, masking, pain, stress, sensory overload, decision fatigue, or trying to keep everything together can leave a person emotionally and physically drained.
Sensory Overload
Noise, crowds, phone calls, interruptions, unexpected changes, appointments, or ongoing demands can become overwhelming, especially for autistic, ADHD, and neurodivergent participants.
Executive Functioning Pressure
Planning, organising, remembering appointments, managing paperwork, responding to messages, and starting tasks can become harder when life already feels overloaded.
NDIS CAPACITY BUILDING
Support should connect to daily life
Counselling can support emotional regulation, communication, coping strategies, confidence, routines, self-advocacy, independence, and participation.
Adjustment to Disability or Diagnosis
Injury, illness, diagnosis, chronic pain, or changes in mobility can affect identity, confidence, independence, relationships, and how someone sees their future.
Communication & Self-Advocacy
Counselling may help participants practise asking for help, setting boundaries, explaining their needs, and preparing for difficult conversations.
Social & Relationship Strain
Many participants feel misunderstood, judged, isolated, or unsure how to explain life after disability, injury, burnout, diagnosis, or mental health changes.
Daily Routines & Independence
Counselling may support routines, motivation, confidence, problem-solving, emotional regulation, community participation, and steps toward greater independence.
NDIS Stress & Life Pressure
Plans, reviews, providers, funding decisions, reports, appointments, and service changes can add pressure when daily life already feels difficult.
“Sometimes the hardest part is not the disability itself. It is trying to keep functioning while everything feels heavier.”
NDIS COUNSELLING IN CAIRNS & ONLINE
Looking for support that connects with daily life? Let’s talk about what counselling could look like
Book a free 15-minute call to ask questions, discuss your NDIS funding, or see whether counselling may be suitable for you or someone you support.
Prefer to speak directly? Call or text 0423 763 712
ABOUT ALLAN BUNYAN
NDIS counselling with someone who understands real life, not just paperwork
I am Allan Bunyan, a Cairns-based counsellor and the founder of Strong Foundation Support. I provide counselling for adults and young people aged 14+ in person in Cairns and online across Australia.
My work is shaped by counselling training, disability and NDIS experience, and lived experience of disability. I understand that support needs to be practical, respectful, and connected to what daily life actually looks like.
Outside of work, I am a husband, dad, former elite swimmer, and someone who values honest conversations, humour where it fits, and support that feels human.
My Experience
I have worked in disability and NDIS-related supports since 2018, including counselling, disability support, psychosocial support, and support coordination-related work.
This helps me understand the pressure that can come with providers, appointments, plan reviews, reports, funding systems, family expectations, and trying to keep everyday life moving.
My Qualifications
- Bachelor of Counselling, finalising in 2026
- Certified Practising Counsellor, CPCA Member #47516
- Diploma of Counselling
- Support Coordination experience
- NDIS disability support experience
- Psychosocial and mental health support experience
What CPCA Means
CPCA stands for Certified Practising Counsellors Australia. Being listed as a Certified Practising Counsellor means I am connected to a professional counselling body, with expected standards around ethics, professional practice, and ongoing development.
A counsellor is not the same as a psychologist. Counselling does not diagnose or provide psychological assessment, but it can support emotional wellbeing, coping, adjustment, communication, confidence, and daily life.
“Support should feel human, practical, respectful, and connected to the reality of daily life.”
My Approach
My counselling style is practical, trauma-informed, neurodivergent-aware, and steady. I try to create a space where people can slow things down, feel heard, and work through what is happening without judgment.
Who I Work With
I work with adults and young people aged 14+ who are navigating disability, diagnosis, injury, anxiety, grief, burnout, major life changes, NDIS stress, family pressure, or feeling stuck in daily life.
Sessions are available in person in Cairns and online across Australia
I offer a free 15-minute meet and greet so you can ask questions, briefly explain what is happening, and see whether counselling feels like the right fit.
CLIENT FEEDBACK
What people say after reaching out Feeling heard can make the first step easier
Choosing a counsellor can feel personal. These reviews share how others experienced speaking with Allan and receiving support from Strong Foundation Support.
Reviews reflect individual experiences. Counselling outcomes and experiences can differ from person to person.
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
You do not need to have everything worked out before reaching out
Book a free 15-minute call to ask questions and see whether counselling feels like the right fit for you or someone you support.
INFORMATION FOR SUPPORT COORDINATORS AND REFERRERS
Referrals for NDIS counselling
Referrals are welcome for self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants aged 14+.
Support coordinators, psychosocial recovery coaches, nominees, guardians, family members, support workers, plan managers, and allied health providers are welcome to make enquiries with participant consent.
Strong Foundation Support provides counselling for self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants in Cairns and by telehealth across Australia.
Counselling may suit participants who need support with emotional regulation, psychosocial disability, autism, ADHD, anxiety, burnout, adjustment to disability or diagnosis, communication, confidence, routines, self-advocacy, relationships, independence, or daily life pressure.
Response Time
I usually respond to referral enquiries within one business day.
No Waitlist
There is currently no waitlist. Appointments are available in Cairns and online, including after-hours where suitable.
Ages Supported
Counselling is available for adults and young people aged 14+.
Helpful referral information includes
- Participant name and contact details
- Plan management type
- Relevant NDIS goals
- Funding category, if known
- Brief reason counselling is being considered
- Preferred session format, such as Cairns in person, phone, or video
- Any communication, sensory, access, or safety considerations
- Plan manager details, if the participant is plan-managed
- Whether a nominee, guardian, or support person is involved
Progress updates and plan reviews
Where appropriate and with participant consent, brief progress summaries or goal-related updates may be provided for NDIS reviews or support planning.
These updates can outline the focus of counselling, progress toward relevant NDIS goals, and areas such as emotional regulation, communication, routines, self-advocacy, confidence, independence, and daily functioning.
Progress summaries are not the same as formal psychological assessments, diagnostic reports, occupational therapy functional capacity assessments, or behaviour support plans.
If a written update is required, this should be discussed before counselling begins or as early as possible. Report writing or additional documentation may be billed where applicable.
Cancellations and short-notice changes
Cancellation and short-notice terms are discussed before counselling begins so the participant, nominee, support coordinator, and plan manager understand how missed or late-cancelled sessions may affect funding.
If a participant cannot attend, please provide as much notice as possible so the appointment time can be managed appropriately.
Short-notice cancellations or non-attendance may be billed in line with the service agreement and current NDIS rules where applicable.
Counselling can begin with a free 15-minute meet and greet. This gives the participant a chance to ask questions, briefly explain what is happening, and see whether counselling feels like the right fit.
Where appropriate and with participant consent, counselling can also work alongside support coordinators, recovery coaches, plan managers, GPs, support workers, family members, and allied health providers.
The goal is to provide support that is practical, respectful, connected to the participant’s NDIS goals, and useful in daily life.
MAKE A REFERRAL
Complete the referral form
Support coordinators, recovery coaches, nominees, guardians, family members, and providers can complete the referral form with participant consent.
Please complete the referral form and email it to:
allan@strongfoundationsupport.com
Please ensure participant consent has been provided before sending referral information.
NDIS INFORMATION
What is the NDIS,
and how can counselling fit?
The NDIS is the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It provides funding to eligible people with disability so they can access supports that relate to their disability needs, daily life, independence, participation, and personal goals.
Counselling may fit within the NDIS when emotional wellbeing is connected to disability-related needs and functional impact. This may include support with emotional regulation, confidence, communication, routines, adjustment, burnout, relationships, independence, community participation, or coping with changes after injury, diagnosis, chronic illness, psychosocial disability, autism, ADHD, or neurodivergence.
The NDIS does not usually fund counselling for diagnosis, clinical treatment, or treating a mental health condition in the same way Medicare or the health system may. NDIS counselling needs to connect with disability-related needs, daily life, capacity building, independence, participation, and functional impact.
You do not need a referral or a formal diagnosis to contact me. We can start with a free 15-minute meet and greet and talk through what is happening, what support you are looking for, and whether counselling may be suitable.
If counselling is not clearly included in your plan yet, you may be able to raise it with your support coordinator, Local Area Coordinator, planner, nominee, guardian, or plan review contact. It can help to explain how emotional wellbeing, regulation, communication, routines, confidence, independence, or daily functioning are being affected by disability.
At Strong Foundation Support, counselling is available for self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants. If your plan is agency-managed, you may need to use an NDIS-registered provider. You can still ask your support coordinator, Local Area Coordinator, or NDIS contact about what options are available under your plan.
GETTING STARTED
Starting NDIS counselling does not need to feel overwhelming
You do not need to explain everything in the first message. A short message is enough to begin. You can ask a question, check whether your NDIS funding may suit counselling, or book a free 15-minute meet and greet.
You can contact me directly, or a support coordinator, recovery coach, nominee, guardian, family member, or trusted support person can help make the first enquiry.
Look for Capacity Building, Improved Daily Living, therapy-related supports, or goals connected to daily life, confidence, independence, communication, routines, or participation.
You can raise counselling with your support coordinator, LAC, planner, nominee, guardian, or at your next plan review if emotional wellbeing is affecting daily life.
This is a relaxed 15-minute chat to ask questions, talk briefly about what is happening, and see whether counselling feels like the right fit.
There is currently no waitlist. If counselling is suitable, sessions can be arranged in person in Cairns or by phone or video across Australia.
What happens in the first session?
The first counselling session is usually about slowing things down and getting a clear picture of what has been happening. You do not need to have everything prepared or know exactly what to say.
We may talk about what brought you to counselling, what daily life has been like, what feels difficult at the moment, what has helped before, and what you would like support to look like.
The first session is not about forcing you to go into everything at once. It is about building safety, understanding your situation, and working out some practical next steps.
Session length and frequency
Standard counselling sessions usually run for 60 minutes.
Some people attend weekly, some attend fortnightly, and some book sessions as needed. The timing can depend on your goals, support needs, funding, availability, and what feels manageable.
Sessions can be held in person in Cairns, by phone, or by video. We can talk through what format feels most comfortable before you begin.
You do not need the perfect words before reaching out. We can start with what feels easiest.
You can also read about individual counselling or book a meet and greet.
CONTACT STRONG FOUNDATION SUPPORT
Ask about NDIS counselling
You do not need to explain everything straight away. A short message is enough.
You can use this form to ask about NDIS counselling, check whether your plan may suit counselling, or book a free 15-minute meet and greet.
I usually reply to enquiries within one business day. After you send the form, I will respond by email, phone, or text depending on the contact details you provide and what feels easiest for you.
The next step is usually a free 15-minute meet and greet. This gives you a chance to ask questions, briefly explain what is happening, and see whether counselling feels like the right fit before booking a full session.
Your message is treated confidentially. Please only share what you feel comfortable sharing at this stage.
Helpful things to include if you know them
- Your plan type, such as self-managed, plan-managed, or agency-managed
- Whether you prefer Cairns in-person, phone, or video counselling
- Whether you are enquiring for yourself or on behalf of someone else
- Any access, communication, sensory, or safety needs I should know about
If you are not sure about any of this, that is okay. You can still send a short message.
NDIS COUNSELLING SUPPORT
NDIS counselling may help with anxiety, trauma, grief, burnout and disability adjustment
Counselling can provide a steady space to talk through what is happening, build practical coping strategies, and connect support back to the participant’s NDIS goals, emotional wellbeing, daily functioning, and capacity building.
Anxiety and overwhelm
Support with anxiety, emotional overwhelm, stress, shutdown, racing thoughts, and feeling unable to manage everything at once.
Trauma responses
A trauma-informed space to work through triggers, emotional reactions, safety, coping strategies, and the impact of past experiences.
Grief and loss
Counselling for grief, loss, change, sadness, loneliness, or adjusting to life after something important has shifted.
Disability adjustment
Support with adjustment to disability, injury, diagnosis, health changes, identity, independence, and daily life changes.
Burnout and low confidence
Practical support for burnout, low confidence, self-doubt, fatigue, masking, pressure, and feeling stuck or worn down.
Relationships and boundaries
Help with relationship stress, family pressure, communication, social isolation, boundaries, and reducing over-responsibility.
NDIS counselling may also support participants experiencing stress connected to support services, daily routines, appointments, providers, plan reviews, life transitions, or changes in independence and participation.
WHAT NDIS COUNSELLING MAY LOOK LIKE
Counselling is not just talking it is making daily life more manageable
Sometimes it is easier to understand counselling through an example rather than a list of strategies. Every person is different, but this gives a plain idea of how counselling can work over time.
From avoiding everything to taking one step at a time
Someone might come to counselling because everyday tasks have started to feel too big. They may be avoiding phone calls, unopened mail, appointments, family conversations, provider messages, or decisions about their NDIS plan.
At first, counselling may focus on slowing things down and understanding what is happening underneath the avoidance. It might be anxiety, overwhelm, burnout, shame, sensory overload, grief, fear of getting things wrong, or not knowing where to start.
From there, we might break the problem into smaller pieces. Instead of trying to fix everything at once, we look at what feels most urgent, what can wait, what support is needed, and what one manageable next step could be.
Over time, the person may begin to feel more able to open the letter, make the call, prepare for the appointment, explain what they need, or ask for help before everything builds up again.
You can also read about individual counselling or anxiety counselling.
Getting clear on what is happening
Early sessions are usually about building safety, understanding what has been going on, and working out what feels most important. You do not need to have everything prepared before you arrive.
Building practical change
Later sessions may focus on patterns, coping strategies, communication, routines, boundaries, confidence, self-advocacy, or preparing for real situations in daily life.
Relaxed, steady, and practical
Sessions are not designed to feel clinical or awkward. I listen, ask questions, slow things down when needed, and help turn what feels messy into clearer next steps.
Change can be quick in some areas and slower in others
Some people feel clearer after one or two sessions. Others benefit from regular weekly or fortnightly counselling over time. The pace depends on what is happening, what support is needed, and what feels manageable.
SIGNS NDIS COUNSELLING MAY HELP
Counselling may be worth considering when daily life starts feeling harder to manage
NDIS counselling may help when disability, injury, diagnosis, psychosocial disability, autism, ADHD, chronic illness, pain, trauma, grief, burnout, anxiety, or major life changes are affecting daily life.
You do not need to wait until things become a crisis. Counselling can be useful when things are still moving, but everything feels heavier, harder, or more difficult to manage than it used to.
Emotional & Daily Life Pressure
Sometimes the signs are obvious. Other times they show up quietly through avoidance, missed appointments, anger, shutdown, exhaustion, pain, grief, or pulling away from support.
You Feel Overwhelmed More Often
Small things may feel bigger than they used to. You may feel anxious, irritable, shut down, emotional, or unable to reset after stress.
You Are Avoiding Tasks Or Appointments
Messages, paperwork, phone calls, provider contact, NDIS tasks, appointments, or daily responsibilities may start feeling too hard to face.
Family Or Supports Are Noticing Changes
A parent, partner, support worker, or coordinator may notice the person is missing appointments, not answering the phone, avoiding messages, seeming flat, angry, withdrawn, or more overwhelmed than usual.
Trauma Or Grief Is Affecting Daily Life
Something painful may have happened, or there may have been a loss, change, injury, diagnosis, relationship breakdown, or life event that is still affecting sleep, mood, confidence, safety, connection, or daily functioning.
Your Body Or Health Has Changed
Physical disability, chronic illness, pain, fatigue, injury, or changes in mobility can affect identity, independence, mood, relationships, routines, confidence, and the way you see the future.
You Are Pulling Away From People
You may be avoiding family, friends, providers, community, or support because explaining things feels exhausting, unsafe, frustrating, or too hard.
Daily Routines Are Slipping
Sleep, meals, hygiene, cleaning, appointments, medication routines, work, study, or daily structure may become harder to maintain.
NDIS Or Provider Stress Is Building
Plans, reviews, reports, providers, funding decisions, service agreements, invoices, support changes, or communication with services may feel harder to manage when life is already stretched.
If this sounds familiar, you can start with a short chat
You do not need to know exactly what to say. A free 15-minute meet and greet can help you ask questions, talk briefly about what is happening, and see whether counselling may be the right fit.
NDIS FUNDING & COUNSELLING
Which NDIS funding may counselling come from?
NDIS counselling usually needs to connect with the participant’s disability, functional impact, NDIS goals, daily living, independence, emotional wellbeing, and capacity building needs.
Counselling may be considered under Capacity Building supports, often connected with Improved Daily Living, when the support helps a participant build skills, confidence, communication, emotional regulation, routines, independence, participation, or coping strategies for daily life.
Improved Daily Living
Counselling may fit under Improved Daily Living when it supports emotional regulation, communication, coping skills, confidence, independence, routines, daily functioning, or participation.
Capacity Building
Capacity Building is about developing skills and confidence so a participant can increase independence, manage daily life, communicate needs, and work toward their NDIS goals.
Self-Managed Participants
Self-managed participants can usually choose their own providers and claim eligible supports through their NDIS plan.
Plan-Managed Participants
Plan-managed participants can usually use non-registered providers. Invoices can be sent to the plan manager once service details are confirmed.
Agency-Managed Participants
Agency-managed participants may need to use an NDIS-registered provider. Strong Foundation Support currently works with self-managed and plan-managed participants.
NDIS Counselling Line Item
Counselling may be billed under the relevant therapeutic supports or counselling item where appropriate. Read the full line item explanation here.
Common item: 15_043_0128_1_3
Support category: Improved Daily Living / Capacity Building
Service: Counselling / Therapeutic Supports
NDIS rate: $156.16 per hour
Not sure if your plan can be used for counselling?
That is okay. You can book a free 15-minute meet and greet and we can talk through your plan type, goals, funding category, and whether counselling may be suitable. You can also read my plain-English guide on what line item NDIS counselling comes under .
Book a Free 15-Minute Meet & GreetPROGRESS NOTES AND NDIS GOAL UPDATES
Counselling can stay connected to NDIS goals
Where appropriate and with participant consent, counselling can include brief progress updates or goal-related summaries for support coordinators, recovery coaches, plan managers, nominees, guardians, or NDIS review preparation.
These updates are designed to show what counselling has focused on, how support connects with the participant’s NDIS goals, and how counselling relates to daily life, functional impact, emotional wellbeing, independence, participation, and capacity building.
What it looks like
A progress summary is usually a brief written update, not a full assessment report. It may be a short summary or one-page style update depending on what is needed.
Turnaround time
Simple written updates are usually completed within a few business days, depending on what is required and current availability.
Billing
Time spent preparing written updates, summaries, or additional documentation may be billed where applicable and discussed before the work is completed.
A progress summary may include
- Reason counselling was requested
- Relevant NDIS goals
- Main areas counselling has focused on
- Emotional regulation and coping strategies
- Communication, confidence, or self-advocacy
- Routines, daily functioning, and participation
- Adjustment to disability, injury, diagnosis, or life changes
- Psychosocial disability-related functional impact
- Progress noticed during counselling
- Ongoing support needs or next steps
Any written update is discussed with the participant first and only provided with consent.
Counselling notes and progress summaries are not the same as formal psychological assessments, diagnostic reports, occupational therapy functional capacity assessments, or behaviour support plans.
If a written update is needed for a plan review, support meeting, or provider handover, it is best to discuss this as early as possible so there is enough time to prepare it properly.
PRACTICAL NDIS COUNSELLING SUPPORT
Sessions can be flexible, practical, and built around real life
Counselling does not have to look the same for everyone. Sessions can be held in person in Cairns, by video, or by phone, depending on what feels most accessible and manageable.
The aim is to make support easier to access, especially if disability, fatigue, anxiety, transport, sensory needs, mobility, pain, or daily life pressure makes getting to appointments harder.
Video Counselling
Video counselling lets you attend from home or another private space. You need a phone, tablet, or computer with internet, plus somewhere you feel comfortable talking.
Phone Counselling
Phone sessions may suit people who do not like video, feel more comfortable talking without being seen, have low energy, or find it easier to focus by phone.
In-Person In Cairns
In-person counselling is available in Cairns. Before your first session, we can talk through access needs, parking, mobility considerations, sensory needs, or anything that would help you feel more prepared.
Home Visits In Cairns
Home visits may be available in Cairns where suitable. This can be discussed during the meet and greet, including safety, privacy, access, travel, and whether it is the right option for counselling.
What You Need For A Session
For online or phone sessions, it helps to have a quiet private space, a charged device, internet or phone reception, and anything that helps you feel settled, such as water, notes, headphones, or a support person nearby if appropriate.
Flexible Support
Sessions can be adapted around communication preferences, processing time, sensory needs, fatigue, anxiety, neurodivergence, pain, or days when talking feels harder than usual.
Telehealth can still feel personal and useful
Telehealth does not have to feel cold or rushed. Many people find it easier because they can talk from their own space, avoid travel, reduce sensory load, and have more control over the environment.
In the free 15-minute meet and greet, we can talk through whether video, phone, in-person counselling, or a possible home visit feels like the best fit.
ONLINE NDIS COUNSELLING
Online NDIS counselling
across Australia
Strong Foundation Support provides online NDIS counselling for self-managed and plan-managed participants across Australia. Sessions can be held by video or phone, depending on what feels most comfortable, accessible, and manageable.
Online counselling may suit participants who experience anxiety, fatigue, pain, sensory overwhelm, mobility barriers, transport difficulties, chronic illness, burnout, or limited access to local counselling services.
TELEHEALTH SUPPORT
Counselling from your own space, without the pressure of travel
For some people, telehealth can make counselling easier because they can attend from home or another private space, reduce travel pressure, avoid busy waiting rooms, and choose an environment that feels calmer and more familiar.
Online NDIS counselling may support emotional regulation, anxiety, stress, disability adjustment, communication, routines, confidence, self-advocacy, coping strategies, and daily life pressure connected to disability-related needs and NDIS goals.
Video Counselling
Video sessions allow you to attend counselling from home or another private space using a phone, tablet, or computer.
Phone Counselling
Phone sessions may suit people who do not like video, have low energy, or find it easier to talk without being seen.
Self-Managed & Plan-Managed
Online counselling is available for self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants when counselling is suitable under the plan.
Flexible And Practical
Sessions can be adapted around communication preferences, sensory needs, fatigue, anxiety, pain, or overwhelm.
“Online counselling can make support easier to access when travel, fatigue, anxiety, sensory overload, or daily life pressure already feels like too much.”
PRIVACY, CONSENT & CHOICE
You stay in control of what is shared and who is involved
NDIS counselling can involve different people around the participant, but counselling still needs to feel safe, respectful, and led by the person receiving support.
Information is not shared with support coordinators, family members, nominees, guardians, plan managers, or other providers unless there is consent or a serious safety concern.
PERSON-CENTRED COUNSELLING
Counselling works best when the participant has a voice in the process.
Some participants want a support person involved. Others prefer counselling to stay private. Some want help preparing for a conversation, while others only want a brief update shared after a session.
These choices can be talked through before counselling begins, and they can be reviewed if things change.
What can be discussed before starting
- Who the main contact person should be
- Whether a support person will attend
- What information can be shared
- How updates should be handled
- Any communication or access needs
- What helps the participant feel safer
Consent comes first
Before sharing information with another person or provider, consent is discussed clearly so everyone understands what can and cannot be shared.
Support people can be included
A trusted person may be involved where appropriate, especially if this helps with communication, confidence, access, planning, or follow-through.
Privacy still matters
Counselling is a private space. Even when other supports are involved, the participant’s dignity, preferences, and right to personal space are respected.
Information can be kept simple
When updates are needed, they can focus on broad goals, attendance, themes, and support needs rather than unnecessary personal detail.
The aim is clear communication without taking away choice.
If a support coordinator, recovery coach, nominee, guardian, family member, or provider is involved, we can talk about what role they have and how communication should happen.
Strong Foundation Support is not an emergency or crisis response service. If there is immediate danger or someone cannot stay safe, contact emergency services or urgent mental health support in your area.
NDIS & COMMUNITY SUPPORT OPTIONS
Counselling can work alongside other supports
Many NDIS participants already have other supports involved, such as a support coordinator, recovery coach, GP, psychologist, occupational therapist, support worker, plan manager, family member, or trusted support person.
Counselling does not replace those supports. It can sit alongside them when emotional wellbeing, adjustment, communication, confidence, routines, relationships, disability-related stress, or daily life pressure are being affected.
Where counselling fits
Counselling is a space to talk through what is happening, understand patterns, build coping strategies, work through life changes, practise communication, strengthen self-advocacy, and make daily life feel more manageable.
For NDIS participants, counselling should connect with disability-related needs, functional impact, NDIS goals, daily living, emotional wellbeing, independence, participation, and capacity building.
Counselling is not the same as support coordination, psychology, occupational therapy, behaviour support, medical treatment, or crisis support.
Counselling support
A counsellor can support emotional wellbeing, coping, adjustment, communication, confidence, boundaries, routines, stress, grief, burnout, self-advocacy, and daily life pressure.
Counselling is usually more practical and conversational. It does not involve diagnosis, psychological assessment, medication, or formal functional capacity assessments.
Clinical or medical support
A psychologist, GP, psychiatrist, or mental health clinician may be more suitable when someone needs diagnosis, clinical mental health treatment, medication review, risk assessment, or higher-level mental health care.
Counselling can still sit alongside this support, but it does not replace medical or psychological treatment.
How I can work with the people already involved
Where appropriate and with participant consent, counselling can work alongside support coordinators, recovery coaches, plan managers, support workers, GPs, psychologists, occupational therapists, family members, nominees, guardians, or other providers.
This may include brief communication about goals, progress summaries, support planning, referral updates, or helping the participant prepare for appointments and conversations.
The goal is to keep counselling connected to the person’s real life while respecting privacy, consent, and each provider’s role.
When another support may be needed
If someone needs urgent mental health support, crisis support, diagnosis, medication, risk assessment, psychological testing, occupational therapy assessment, behaviour support, or a functional capacity assessment, another provider may be more appropriate.
If there is immediate danger or someone is at risk of harm, emergency or crisis services should be contacted.
NDIS COUNSELLING FAQ
Common questions about NDIS counselling support
Many people are unsure how counselling fits within the NDIS, whether their funding can be used, or what type of support may be suitable.
Is counselling funded by the NDIS?
Counselling may be funded when it connects to the participant’s disability-related needs, functional impact, NDIS goals, emotional wellbeing, independence, participation, daily living, or capacity building needs.
What NDIS funding category may counselling come from?
Counselling may sit under Capacity Building supports, often connected with Improved Daily Living, when it relates to disability needs, functional impact, emotional regulation, communication, confidence, routines, independence, participation, or NDIS goals.
What is Improved Daily Living?
Improved Daily Living is a Capacity Building support category. It may include supports that help a participant build skills, increase independence, improve daily functioning, and work toward their NDIS goals.
What NDIS line item do you use?
Counselling may be billed under the relevant therapeutic supports or counselling item where appropriate.
Common item: 15_043_0128_1_3
Support category: Improved Daily Living / Capacity Building
Service: Counselling / Therapeutic Supports
NDIS rate: $156.16 per hour
Are you an NDIS-registered provider?
Strong Foundation Support currently supports self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants. I am not currently an NDIA-registered provider, so agency-managed participants may need to use an NDIS-registered provider depending on how their plan is managed.
Do you work with self-managed participants?
Yes. Self-managed participants can usually choose their own providers and claim eligible supports through their NDIS plan.
Do you work with plan-managed participants?
Yes. I currently work with plan-managed NDIS participants. Invoices can usually be sent to the participant’s plan manager once service details and billing information are confirmed.
Can agency-managed participants see you?
Agency-managed participants may need to use an NDIS-registered provider. If you are unsure how your plan is managed, you can ask your support coordinator, Local Area Coordinator, plan contact, or book a free meet and greet to talk it through.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is required. You can contact me directly. A support coordinator, recovery coach, nominee, guardian, family member, support worker, or trusted support person can also help make an enquiry with participant consent.
Can my support coordinator contact you?
Yes. Support coordinators and recovery coaches are welcome to make enquiries with participant consent. Helpful referral details include plan management type, relevant NDIS goals, preferred session format, and the reason counselling is being considered.
Can counselling support autism or ADHD?
Counselling may support autistic, ADHD, and neurodivergent participants with emotional regulation, burnout, sensory overwhelm, executive functioning pressure, masking fatigue, shutdown, routines, communication, self-advocacy, and everyday stress.
Can counselling support psychosocial disability?
Counselling may support people with psychosocial disability when mental health impacts daily life, emotional regulation, motivation, relationships, routines, communication, independence, confidence, or participation.
Can counselling help after injury or diagnosis?
Counselling may help people adjust after injury, chronic illness, disability, diagnosis, burnout, or major life changes that affect identity, confidence, relationships, routines, independence, or emotional wellbeing.
Do you offer telehealth counselling?
Yes. Counselling sessions are available in person in Cairns and online across Australia through telehealth.
Can I do phone counselling instead of video?
Yes. Depending on what is suitable, sessions may be available by phone or video. Some people prefer phone counselling because it feels less overwhelming than video.
Do you provide progress notes or NDIS review information?
Where appropriate, brief progress summaries or goal-related updates may be provided with participant consent. This can be discussed before counselling begins.
What if I am not sure where to start?
That is okay. Many people reach out when life feels heavier, more overwhelming, or harder to manage than it used to. You can start with a short message or book a free 15-minute meet and greet.
Still unsure whether counselling is right for you?
A free meet and greet can be a simple place to ask questions, talk about what is happening, and explore what support may help.
NDIS COUNSELLING IN CAIRNS & FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND
Local counselling in Cairns, with telehealth available across Australia
Strong Foundation Support is based in Cairns and provides counselling for self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants. Sessions may be available in person in Cairns, by phone, or by video across Australia.
Local counselling may suit participants who prefer face-to-face support, while telehealth may suit people who experience fatigue, mobility barriers, pain, sensory overwhelm, transport difficulties, anxiety, chronic illness, or limited provider access in their area.
If you are not sure whether in-person, phone, video, or another option would work best, this can be discussed during the free 15-minute meet and greet.
In-person sessions in Cairns
In-person counselling may be available in Cairns. Before your first appointment, I can confirm the session location and talk through access needs, parking, mobility considerations, sensory needs, or anything else that would help you feel prepared.
Home visits in Cairns
Home visits may be available in Cairns where suitable. This can be discussed first, including privacy, safety, travel, access, and whether a home visit is the right option for counselling.
Telehealth for FNQ and Australia
Phone and video counselling can help reduce travel pressure, especially for participants in Far North Queensland, regional areas, or places where local counselling options are limited.
Local areas supported
Cairns City, Earlville, Woree, Manunda, Manoora, Mooroobool, Edmonton, Bentley Park, Mount Sheridan, Gordonvale, Redlynch, Smithfield, Edge Hill, Westcourt, Bungalow, and surrounding Cairns suburbs.
Telehealth may also suit participants across Far North Queensland, including people outside Cairns who find travel difficult or prefer counselling from home.
Why local support can matter
Living in Cairns and Far North Queensland can bring practical barriers that are easy to overlook, including heat, fatigue, transport, long travel times, limited local services, mobility access, and the pressure of coordinating several supports at once.
Counselling can be planned around what is realistic for your daily life, whether that means attending locally in Cairns, using telehealth, involving a support person where appropriate, or choosing a format that reduces stress rather than adding to it.
You can also read about individual counselling or addiction counselling.