Jskate & Counselling Academy
Professional Counselling in Darwin
A safe, confidential space to talk, reflect and move forward
Professional Counselling in Darwin
A safe, confidential space to talk, reflect and move forward
COUNSELLING IN DARWIN
Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. You may be experiencing stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, low confidence, a major life change, or simply feel that something isn't quite right.
You don't have to work through it alone.
JSkate & Counselling Academy provides professional, compassionate counselling and wellbeing support for children, young people and adults in Darwin and online.
Our approach is centred around you, your experiences, your strengths, your goals and the changes you would like to make.
Face-to-face counselling in Darwin | Online counselling available
What can counselling help with?
People seek counselling for many different reasons. You don't need to be in crisis or have a mental health diagnosis to seek support.
Depending on your individual circumstances, counselling may help with:
· Anxiety, worry and stress
· Feeling overwhelmed or emotionally exhausted
· Low confidence and self-esteem
· Emotional difficulties and changes in mood
· Relationship and communication difficulties
· Life transitions and significant changes
· Adjustment to new circumstances
· Work, study and everyday life pressures
· Personal growth and self-understanding
· Challenges experienced by children and young people
· Developing healthier coping strategies and resilience
If you're not sure whether counselling is right for you, that's okay. You are welcome to contact me to discuss your situation before deciding whether to make an appointment.
My approach to counselling!
I believe counselling should be a collaborative process.
Rather than telling you what you should do, I work with you to understand your experiences, explore what may be contributing to your difficulties and identify practical and meaningful ways forward.
Every person is different. Your culture, relationships, experiences, values, circumstances and goals all matter.
For this reason, I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to counselling.
My therapeutic work is informed by established evidence-based frameworks, including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT).
These approaches provide different ways of understanding thoughts, emotions and behaviours, and can be adapted to suit your individual needs and goals.
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
MI is a person-centred counselling approach that helps people find their own motivation to make positive changes.
I use Motivational Interviewing to build rapport, explore a person's readiness and reasons for change, and support them to identify their own goals and practical steps towards reducing harm and preventing relapse.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT explores the relationship between our thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
It can help you recognise patterns that may be contributing to distress and develop more helpful ways of responding to challenging situations.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT focuses on developing psychological flexibility, learning to respond more effectively to difficult thoughts and emotions while identifying what matters most to you.
It can support you to take meaningful steps towards your values, even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present.
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)
REBT explores how our beliefs and interpretations can influence our emotional responses and behaviour.
It can help you examine unhelpful or rigid patterns of thinking and develop more balanced and constructive ways of responding to life's challenges.
An approach tailored to you
These frameworks are not used as rigid formulas.
Different people respond to different approaches, and the counselling process will be guided by your individual circumstances, needs and goals.
My professional background
My counselling practice is supported by advanced academic qualifications in counselling, social work, psychology and wellbeing, together with professional recognition through Australian counselling organisations.
Master of Science in Counselling Psychology
My Master of Science in Counselling Psychology provided advanced study in counselling theory, psychological processes and therapeutic practice.
MPhil in Social Work — specialising in Medical Psychiatry
My MPhil in Social Work, specialising in Medical Psychiatry, provided additional study in mental health, psychosocial wellbeing and the relationship between psychological and social factors.
PhD in Psychology and Wellbeing
I have completed a PhD in Psychology and Wellbeing, providing an advanced academic foundation in psychology, wellbeing and human behaviour.
My PhD is an academic qualification and does not constitute registration as a psychologist in Australia.
Professional recognition
I am a Certified Practising Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and affiliated to Australian Psychological Society (APS).
I am committed to maintaining professional standards, ethical practice, continuing professional development and appropriate professional accountability.
I provide counselling services as a counsellor, within my professional qualifications, training, experience and scope of practice.
JSkate Counselling Academy is a unique initiative that combines skating, wellbeing, and personal development. We believe that learning to skate is more than a physical activity, it builds confidence, resilience, focus, and self-belief. Through movement, positive relationships, and supportive guidance, we help children, young people, and adults develop life skills that extend far beyond the skating rink, empowering them to grow both physically and emotionally.
We provide counselling, wellbeing support, and physical activity programs designed to improve emotional resilience, confidence, social connection, and healthy living. "At JSkate Counselling Academy, we believe movement creates opportunities for growth. Sometimes a person finds confidence through skating before they find the words to express what they are feeling."
"Some children find it difficult to talk in an office. On a skate path, the conversation often starts naturally. The focus is on movement, not the problem, and many young people find it easier to open up." Our programs are designed to help improve emotional wellbeing, confidence, resilience, social connection, and physical health. Our goal is to support individuals and communities in building healthier minds, stronger bodies, and brighter futures.
Our services are open to children, young people, adults, families, students, and community members from all cultural and social backgrounds. "A child arrived at skating lessons afraid to fall and unwilling to try new things. After several weeks of learning, falling, getting up, and succeeding, the same child began volunteering answers in class and trying new activities at school." We support individuals experiencing stress, anxiety, emotional challenges, life transitions, or those simply seeking personal growth, wellbeing, and healthier lifestyles in a safe and welcoming environment.
JSkate Counselling Academy is led by an experienced healthcare and mental health professional, combining counselling expertise with structured skating programs. We provide safe, supportive, and inclusive environments where every participant is guided with care. Our focus is not only on skating skills, but also on building confidence, resilience, and overall well-being through trusted, evidence-informed practice.
We are proud to be connected with recognised professional organisations, including the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), Australian Psychological Society (APS), and Skate Australia. These memberships reflect our commitment to professional standards, continuous learning, ethical practice, and quality wellbeing support for the community.
Jskate & Counselling Academy is a unique place where physical activity and mental development come together. We are a family-centred, child-focused academy that provides a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment for children and families. Through professional roller skating training, counselling, and life skills guidance, we help children and individuals grow with confidence, discipline, and focus.
How can skating support mental health?
Our skating approach is inspired by yoga philosophy, focusing on balance, mindfulness, discipline, breathing awareness, body control, and inner calm. Skating encourages physical movement, concentration, emotional balance, confidence, resilience, and stress reduction, helping individuals develop both mental and physical wellbeing in a positive environment.
Skating requires energy, balance, focus, physical strength, and mental control. Skating helps improve confidence, emotional wellbeing, concentration, resilience, and stress management, while counselling supports healthy thinking, emotional balance, and personal growth. Together, they promote both mental and physical wellbeing in a positive and supportive way.
Is this service only for athletes?
No. Our services are open to children, youth, adults, families, beginners, and recreational participants seeking wellbeing, confidence, or emotional support.
Can skating help children with anxiety or confidence issues?
Yes. Structured skating activities can improve social confidence, emotional regulation, concentration, and self-belief while creating a fun and encouraging environment.
Do you provide professional counselling support?
Yes. We provide professional counselling and wellbeing support guided by evidence-based approaches and ethical practice standards.
Is counselling available separately from skating?
Yes. Counselling sessions and wellbeing support can be accessed independently without participating in skating programs.
Can sports improve emotional wellbeing?
Yes. Researches say regular physical activity and positive coaching environments are known to support mental health, reduce stress, improve mood, and strengthen resilience.
Who can access your services?
We support children, teenagers, adults, parents, athletes, students, and families seeking counselling, wellbeing support, confidence development, or sports coaching.
Are your services suitable for schools and community programs?
Yes. We can support schools, youth programs, sports groups, and community wellbeing initiatives through counselling, workshops, and coaching programs.
What makes your approach unique?
Our practise combines more than two decades of healthcare experience in mental health, hospital, community, and wellbeing services with professional counselling and sports coaching. We bring extensive experience in skating coaching and participation in championships across Qatar and India, along with skating exposure in different countries and multicultural environments. This unique combination of healthcare knowledge, counselling expertise, mindfulness-based wellbeing practices, and sports coaching helps us support confidence, resilience, emotional wellbeing, and personal growth in a holistic and supportive way.