Vanessa Thomas, AASW

Vanessa Thomas is an AASW counsellor who helps people manage stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem and depression. She also supports those facing compassion fatigue, relationship and family difficulties, sleep problems, parenting strains, career shifts and coping with life changes. Vanessa works in a straightforward, person-centred way to help people make small, practical changes to day-to-day thinking and habits.

Her approach focuses on how thoughts and everyday habits shape mood and behaviour. She uses techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside mindfulness and emotionally-focused work. Sessions are tailored to each person, with goals set from strengths and values rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.

Vanessa has three years of professional experience and brings a trauma-informed perspective to her practice. That means she pays attention to how past hurt shows up now and works at a pace that feels manageable. She has worked with people living with complex mental health challenges as well as those dealing with common life stresses.

In the room she uses clear, down-to-earth language and practical tools such as values work, parts awareness and mindfulness exercises. The aim is to build everyday routines and thinking habits that reduce distress and increase agency. Vanessa practises from Queensland and notes that time zone differences can make scheduling harder for some regions.

People should expect collaborative sessions where the therapist listens first, then helps shape practical steps. The focus is on learning simple skills and small changes that fit into daily life, not quick fixes.

Approaches that guide online sessions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thinking patterns and choose actions that align with their values. It supports work on life direction and managing painful thoughts without trying to push them away. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting and changing thinking and behaviour patterns that keep problems going, which can help with anxiety, low mood and sleep difficulties. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices that reduce reactivity and improve everyday coping.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will listen to the person's needs, goals and preferences and suggest which methods to try. This is a collaborative process and can change over time as goals shift or new challenges appear.

Confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not list specific formats. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, for example by reducing travel time or allowing appointments during a lunch break. It can also allow shorter check-ins when that suits the person better, or quieter work that focuses on skills practice rather than lengthy discussion. Appropriately qualified therapists will help adapt exercises and homework so they work well in an online setting.