Brisbane Counselling Centre has been a trusted presence for over 35 years, supporting people with trauma, marriage and family concerns, and other issues. Those we have spoken with shared that sessions—in person or online, weekend or weeknight—are truly healing. 

Their Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) approach is partly to thank. By using eye movements, sounds, or taps while recalling distressing memories, clients can change their perspective on their trauma and improve their coping strategies.

Although effective for others, some individuals found EMDR too confronting or felt it had no impact on their well-being. Fortunately, the center’s therapists are trained in alternatives like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and compassionate therapy. 

AHPRA-registered psychologist Janice Fittell is widely regarded as an expert in these areas, with many clients mentioning her by name. But at a pricey $180–$280 per appointment, it helps that Medicare and private insurance claims are processed on-site. 

Changed my life—the EMDR and the brilliant way Janice gets what I need

“I have had some profound shifts working with Janice Fittell. I have had lots of counseling over the years but none as effective or as high quality as Janice. Can honestly say that it’s changed my life, the EMDR the brilliant way Janice just gets where I am at and what I need. The wonderful staff on the front counter are so kind and accomodating. The whole team are great. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me through the toughest year of my life! Forever grateful 🙏🏻”

Hayley Birtles-Eades, Google Review

Allowed me to work through traumatic memories through EMDR  

“I highly recommend Janice! She helped me in a pivotal time in my life and allowed me to work through traumatic memories through EMDR. She is highly skilled and intuitive, she asks the right questions and I had many ‘ah ha’ moments I could not have worked out alone. She is an asset to the team and I will forever appreciate the positive impact she has made on my well-being. I now feel I have the skills to manage my own life moving forward.” 

Ellen Aylett, Google Review

As a full member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), professional counsellor Mark Colwill demonstrates recognized skill and experience. We found him through Life Supports Counselling, a network that connects people with accredited mental health specialists. 

He works with struggling couples, individuals managing anxiety, grief, or anger, and adolescents experiencing depression or family conflicts. People say his tailored approaches and practical solutions helped them move forward. 

Given that Mark’s key therapies are person-centered and solution-focused, this positive outcome is unsurprising. One client even described his broad knowledge—including CBT and mindfulness-based therapy—as both interesting and comforting.

Whether in-person or online, sessions are filled with warmth and genuine care. The main drawbacks are that prices aren’t clearly listed online, which we found inconvenient. A bulk-billing (where Medicare directly pays on your behalf) is also not accepted.  

I’ve found his broad knowledge both interesting and comforting

“Mark is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. He has a real passion for helping people and for learning. I’ve found his broad knowledge on different counselling approaches both interesting and comforting. He is a true professional, offering tailored approaches and an active pathway to self help/improvement.”

Tarryn Kopke, Google Review

He helped my partner and me work on our challenges 

“Mark is truly gifted. He helped my partner and I work on our challenges and improve our communication which enabled us to be deeply connected and evolve in our relationship like never before. His heart-centred approach and knowledge was all we needed to move forward! I wouldn’t think twice about working with him. Thank you Mark.” 

Jessica, Google Review

People who turn to Footsteps Community Services often feel welcome, understood, and supported. A mother was especially grateful for the support her son and family received, which lifted a significant burden from her shoulders. 

This support is provided by counsellors and psychotherapists experienced in trauma therapy, family mediation, and substance use counselling. They take a holistic, evidence-based approach, combining proven therapies to meet individual needs. 

Let’s not forget that as a registered NDIS provider, Footsteps has dedicated behavior support practitioners for NDIS participants. It made sense to us that they accept NDIS funding alongside BUPA and Medibank Private insurance options.  

Going back to counselling, it’s convenient that sessions can be done online, but calls and emails sometimes go unanswered on the day of the appointment, leaving clients waiting. Pricing isn’t always clear without contacting them, either. 

The weight that has been lifted from my shoulders has been immense  

“Jay and the team at Footsteps have honestly gone above and beyond for not just my son but my family. I highly recommend them to anyone and have done so to many friends and family. I have never felt so welcome and supported by a business in my life. They weighted that has been lifted from my shoulders since a starting to work with them has been immense and I can not thank them enough”

Jodie Conduit, Google Review

Helped me understand my anxieties, depression, and coping strategies 

“I went to Footsteps after a friend recommended it. Suffering from anxiety and frustrated, I was connected with Peter. Peter helped me understand my anxieties, help me with depression, coping strategies among much more personal issues. I appreciate all the help I have received from them, and I will continue to use and recommend their services to anyone else struggling.” 

Simon Tunsted, Google Review

At Blue Healers Counselling, all sessions are conducted by ACA-registered counsellor Oliver de Nicolai. Through his empathetic, down-to-earth style, each meeting becomes a comfortable space where clients feel comfortable opening up. 

Many individuals who seek help here are police and emergency services personnel navigating PTSD. Drawing on Oliver’s 15+ years as a police officer, he provides specialised support that leaves them feeling lighter and with a clearer path to recovery. 

His expertise also covers anxiety, grief, and relationship difficulties, using approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and nervous system regulation. The catch is limited availability—as Oliver works solo, securing regular appointments is tricky. 

On the upside, we would say his $145 rate for 50-minute online or in-person counselling and $210 for couples is fair. Plus, clients can take advantage of health fund rebates and flexible payment options, including AMEX, Apple Pay, and Visa. 

Provided great advice

“I attended three sessions of counselling (February 2025) with Oliver at Blue Healers, Graceville and I recommend both him and the practice. He was open to talk to, a great human being and provided great advice that I needed at THAT time. A lot of what he did was also just listening. I was dealing with acute untreated PTSD from over a decade of frontline policing. Oliver has a former life as a police officer and I believe this gave him credibility in our sessions of what I was at an early stage of navigating. Don’t wait like I did. Talk to someone.”

Ben Logue, Google Review

Oli is so down-to-earth

“I thoroughly recommend Blue Healers to  anyone in need of an empathetic and supportive counsellor. Oli is knowledgeable and patient, warm and caring and so down to earth which helps quell any anxiousness in my sessions. Thanks for a great service.” 

Annette Jones, Google Review

What first drew us to Thinking Families is its broad range. They offer child, adolescent, and marriage counselling, support for eating disorders, and career transitions, as well as family therapy.   

Sessions are led by either AASW-accredited mental health social worker Glenn Munt or APS-registered psychologist Mary McGrath. Clients often mention Glenn, noting that he helped them cope more effectively with stress or marital issues. 

Glenn’s relaxed yet professional approach also stands out. Couples enjoyed his fun, engaging exercises, while individuals valued his insight and sense of humor. 

For added convenience, appointments can be scheduled via video or phone. 

However, some considered $250 per booking pricey. One client even said it wasn’t worth it, as the advice she received felt generic. Payments also caused frustration when Afterpay attempts were rejected due to installment discontinuation. 

I would describe Glenn’s approach as relaxed yet professional

“Glenn is truly a phenomenal human being. I’d recommend him to anyone. Such a kind, caring, thoughtful, gentle & insightful man. His experience goes well beyond his years. Glenn’s approach I would describe as relaxed yet professional. Truly one in a billion!”

James Hawkins, Google Review

The exercises we practiced in sessions were really helpful 

“Glenn was easy to talk to and confident he could help us to improve our relationship. The exercises we practiced in sessions were really helpful and focused on teaching us other, more productive ways to resolve our issues. The homework tasks he gave us were fun but relevant. Our relationship has never been better or closer. We highly recommend Glenn and Thinking Families for couple and relationship counselling.” 

Kate Scrace, Google Review