EVIDENCE-BASED, TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE FOR ADOLESCENTS & ADULTS

A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair and light skin smiling in front of green leafy bushes.

Susan Northway
Registered Mental Health Counsellor

Hello! I’m Susan, a Mental Health Counsellor and founder of Shape Your Story Counselling.

I take a warm, authentic, and non-judgemental approach to supporting young people and adults to become the happiest and healthiest version of themselves. I meet young people and adults where they are with warmth and empathy, providing practical tools to support recovery and growth.

Taking an integrative approach, I use psychoeducation and a range of counselling modalities, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness, and elements of art therapy to support individuals and family dyads.

What to expect from counselling

I aim to provide a safe space for you to feel heard, understood, and ultimately support you to draw upon your own strengths, lived experience, personal values, and inner wisdom to move forward.

I support individuals to:

  • Overcome identity struggles and negative self-image

  • Build interpersonal skills to improve confidence and self-esteem

  • Navigate life transitions and grief

  • Work through trauma

  • Move through social anxiety, generalised anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and

  • Explore and work through depression.

Qualifications

Master of Counselling

Graduate Diploma of Counselling

Bachelor of Communication

I value continuous learning, building my skills and maintaining best practice through ongoing professional development.

Australian Counselling Association Level 2 Registered Counsellor.

Experience supporting adolescents and adults with a range of challenges.

  • Stress, burnout and perfectionism

  • Anxiety and depression

  • Social anxiety

  • Identity and self-esteem

  • Trauma

  • Parenting support

  • Unpaid carer support

How I can support you: Telehealth & walk-and-talk counselling sessions

I am based in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges in Victoria, Australia, and provide online (Telehealth) counselling to clients across Australia.

I also offer in-person counselling sessions in Belgrave and a walk-and-talk option within the Belgrave South, Victoria area and surrounds.

Session bookings are available Monday through to Saturday, both during and outside of standard working hours.

How to get started:

  • Book a free initial telephone session to get to know me and discuss how we can work together.

  • Schedule a session time to work with me, whether that be for short-term or longer-term care, and I will support you every step of the way.