Flourish: to feel good and function well.

You might be experiencing ups-and-downs or feeling distressed, scared, overwhelmed or perhaps "stuck"?
I provide a safe and respectful counselling space where you will be heard and supported. Together we can identify and recognise your strengths as you face difficult "corners in the road". We will work as a team to help you flourish again.

Sarah Buerckner

Master of Counselling, Certified Practising Counsellor

Hello, I'm Sarah. Welcome to my website. I hope I can be of help to you.

I find a lot of meaning working as a counsellor, building trusted relationships with people and helping them explore and make sense of complex and sometimes painful experiences. Being of service and helping others are two of my key values. 

I work hard to build rapport and make sure people feel comfortable. My clients know they have a focused and reliable counselling partner, who listens and responds thoughtfully and with integrity. 

I will support you by providing a caring and welcoming space where you can examine your challenges, worries and experiences. I concentrate to understand what will help you to feel safe, and I honour your wishes about what information you wish to share. 

Services

I help clients address a range of challenges, which include:

  • Difficult or stressful relationships

  • Experiences and feelings that can lead to disordered eating

  • Low self-esteem and self-worth

  • Hopelessness and loneliness and "feeling lost" 

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Grief and loss

  • Trauma responses

  • Anger and triggers

  • Negative thoughts that are overwhelming 

  • "Imposter" syndrome

  • Helping manage changes or transitions

Because everyone’s needs are different, I tailor our sessions using multi-disciplinary techniques. This means that when appropriate I incorporate techniques based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) (tapping), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Art Therapy and other therapeutic and counselling techniques. 

I work with people aged 15 and above and advocate for diversity, equality and inclusion. 

About Me

I graduated with a Master of Counselling (Monash University) while living in Hong Kong in 2020. I lived in Hong Kong for 14 years having grown up in Macedon, then living in Melbourne and London. I returned to live in the Macedon Ranges in 2021.

In Hong Kong, I provided face-to-face and online counselling services to adults and primary school students with additional learning needs. I worked with the Hong Kong-based online counselling platform, Common Care (https://www.commoncarecentral.com/) from 2019 to 2024. I also worked for aMindset Psychology Services (https://www.amindset.hk/). Both organisations provide affordable therapy services, an objective I wholeheartedly support .

I continue to provide pro-bono support to a person who was seeking asylum in Hong Kong and I met while I was volunteering at a refugee centre.  

Since my return to Australia in 2021 I have been working (part-time) in the Inclusion team at a secondary school in the Macedon Ranges. This role enables me to use my counselling skills and teaching qualification. I support students with additional learning, social and emotional needs in the classroom, and work with the school counsellor to deliver group art therapy sessions.

Prior to becoming a counsellor I worked in professional roles in marketing and business development, event management and publishing. I am a qualified secondary school teacher and have also trained to be a Life Coach. 

I have lived experience of a chronic disease, moving and living overseas, international adoption and as an advocate for excellent service delivery to support neurodiverse children and teenagers. 

After reading here, if you'd like any additional information, please make contact. I'm very happy to answer any questions and understand the importance of being comfortable with your counsellor.

Postgraduate qualifications 

Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health (Victoria University) - currently enrolled 

Support for People in Palliative Care and their Families (Death Doula) (short. course) (International Association of Professions (IAP) Career College, USA), 2023   

Relationship and Couple Therapy (short course) (Clinical Supervision Services, Australia), 2022

·       Providing Effective Bereavement Support (short course) (Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement), 2021

Master of Counselling (Monash University), 2019-2021

·       Emotional Freedom Techniques (Levels 1 & 2) (https://eftinternational.org) (completed training, not accreditation), 2020

·       TPC Leadership Coaching (https://tpcleadership.com) (completed training, not accreditation), 2020

Graduate Diploma of Secondary Education (University of Melbourne), 1995

Professional memberships

·       Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), Certified Practising Counsellor

·       Counsellors Victoria (Australia), Full Member

Session Information

General information

 50 minute sessions are conducted in-person or on-line (telehealth). 

If you prefer to meet in person, we will meet in my room at the HMS Community Clinic, Brantome St, Gisborne. 

If you prefer to meet on-line, I provide a Google Meet link.

Prior to our first session I send a brief form to collect some background information. This helps us be more effective in our first session together.

To book a session

Click the button below on the date/time that suits you.

I will be in touch before our first session with the form to collect additional information.

To make a query

Complete the form below and I will respond within 24 hours.

If you have any questions before booking a session, I will gladly organise a 15-minute introductory call.

Fees

$75 per session

Availability

In person (Gisborne):

Tuesday 1.30pm-6.30pm (AET)

Telehealth: 

Monday 5pm - 8.30pm (AET)

Wednesday 9am - 1pm (AET)


Testimonials

"Her gently targeted questions led me to untie my own knots in my head, which ultimately led me to finding the path I needed to be on. Sarah's approach is highly professional, yet her way of conversing is that of a trusted friend. She quickly identified difficulties and stressors, which in turn led to a fast and targeted session with a feeling of holding the reigns. I walked away feeling safe and heard and highly recommend Sarah as a counsellor." - Barbara

"Sarah helped me when I was having a hard time in Hong Kong. Mentored me, comforted me and still checks in to see if I am ok. She's a great counsellor with amazing skills and a caring heart. I really appreciate her help and everything she does for me. i highly recommend her."  - RD

"You've helped me a lot in providing tools to better address the issues in my mental health journey." - Maya 

"Sarah is a wonderful person. She is thoughtful, caring, and a great listener. But above all of these she has a great ability to understand the issues I am facing and offer insightful analyses and helpful suggestions. I really appreciate every session I have with her". 

Bookings

Click on the button below to book the session that suits you.

Bookings on Tuesdays are in-person. 

Bookings on Mondays and Wednesdays are conducted via telehealth. 

I will be in touch prior to the session. 

Contact

If you have any questions, please send a message from here. I will reply within 24 hours.
Name E-mail Message Submit

Resources

Helpful and publicly available counselling resources for your reference: 

What is counselling?

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/counsellors-and-counselling

What is online counselling?

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/etherapy

Men and mental wellbeing

https://www.verywellmind.com/exploring-the-stigma-of-men-and-mental-health-5510053

What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy?

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/cognitive-behaviour-therapy

Becoming aware of unhelpful thinking styles

https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/cognitive-distortions

What can I expect from my counsellor?

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/counsellors

What is mindfulness?

What is mindfulness?

Emergency Contacts

If you need immediate support (in Victoria/Australia) these services provide 24-hour or overnight assistance:

Additional resources:

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/who-to-call-in-a-crisis#counselling-services

Emergency numbers around the world: https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/students-abroad/pdfs/911_ABROAD.pdf