https://awiconsulting.com.au/Questions daily 0.75 2020-08-18 https://awiconsulting.com.au/news daily 0.75 2026-07-31 https://awiconsulting.com.au/news/psychologist-or-counsellor-which-one-is-right-for-you monthly 0.5 2026-07-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b8b245274961ed60761ec/252f910a-8557-4b8a-b810-6bc30936e63b/1.png News - Psychologist or Counsellor: Which One Is Right for You? - Psychologist or Counsellor: Which One Is Right for You? Psychologist or Counsellor: Which One Is Right for You? Taking the first step towards seeking support can feel overwhelming, and one of the most common questions people ask is, "Should I see a psychologist or a counsellor?" The good news is that both psychologists and counsellors are trained mental health professionals who provide a safe and confidential space to support your wellbeing. The right choice often depends on your individual needs, goals and circumstances. What Does a Psychologist Do? Psychologists are university-trained professionals who assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of mental health conditions using evidence-based therapies. They are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). People may choose to see a psychologist for support with: - Anxiety and depression - Trauma and post-traumatic stress - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) - Eating disorders - Personality disorders - Complex mental health presentations - Psychological assessments and diagnostic evaluations Psychologists can also provide therapy for everyday concerns such as stress, relationship difficulties, grief, life transitions and emotional wellbeing. What Does a Counsellor Do? Counsellors help people navigate life's challenges by providing a supportive, collaborative and non-judgemental environment to explore thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Counselling focuses on building insight, developing practical coping strategies and supporting personal growth. People commonly see a counsellor for: - Stress and burnout - Anxiety and low mood - Relationship or family difficulties - Grief and loss - Workplace challenges - Emotional regulation - Life transitions - Building resilience and coping skills Many counsellors also have additional training in specialised therapeutic approaches, allowing them to support clients experiencing trauma, anxiety and other mental health concerns. What's the Difference? While psychologists and counsellors often use many of the same therapeutic approaches, there are some important differences. Psychologists are qualified to assess and diagnose mental health conditions and may complete formal psychological assessments. They are also eligible to provide services under a Mental Health Care Plan when applicable. Counsellors focus on providing therapeutic support, helping clients understand their experiences, develop healthier coping strategies and work towards meaningful personal goals. Counsellors do not diagnose mental health conditions or provide Medicare-rebated services. Both professions aim to improve mental health and wellbeing, and both can play an important role in supporting people through difficult times. Which One Should You Choose? There isn't a "better" option—only the option that best suits your current needs. A psychologist may be the right choice if you: - Are seeking assessment or diagnosis. - Have complex or longstanding mental health concerns. - Would like to access Medicare rebates through a Mental Health Care Plan, where eligible. - Require psychological reports or assessments. A counsellor may be a great fit if you: - Are feeling overwhelmed, stressed or emotionally stuck. - Want support navigating relationships, grief or life changes. - Would like to build practical coping strategies. - Are looking for a safe space to explore your thoughts and emotions. We Can Help You Find the Right Fit Choosing the right clinician doesn't have to be something you work out on your own. At AWI Consulting, we offer a range of mental health services, including psychology, counselling and mental health nursing. Our team takes the time to understand your needs and can help match you with the clinician who is best suited to your goals. If you're unsure where to start, simply get in touch. We're happy to answer your questions and help you take the first step towards the support that's right for you. You don't need to have all the answers before reaching out—you just need somewhere to start. https://awiconsulting.com.au/news/miley-cyrus-and-emdr-discover-how-mileys-journey-inspires-mental-health-awareness monthly 0.5 2026-07-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b8b245274961ed60761ec/c8806878-b09e-463f-82e7-e778bdc3ff4b/Document+-+Miley+Cyrus+%26+EMDR+Therapy+A+Conversation+on+Healing.jpg News - Miley Cyrus and EMDR: Discover how Miley's journey inspires mental health awareness - Miley Cyrus and EMDR: Why Her Story Matters Recently, Miley Cyrus shared publicly that EMDR therapy played a key role in her healing journey following traumatic experiences in her life. While celebrity stories often come and go, this one stands out—because it highlights a powerful therapeutic approach that is transforming the way many people heal from trauma. At AWI Consulting, we use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) with clients who have experienced a wide range of difficult life events—whether it's relational trauma, childhood neglect, single-incident events, or the ongoing impacts of anxiety or overwhelm. Hearing someone like Miley speak about EMDR helps break down stigma, normalise the process of therapy, and open up space for others to seek support. What is EMDR?? EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a trauma-focused therapy developed to help people process distressing memories and shift how those memories are stored in the brain. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones) while the client briefly focuses on a painful memory. This process activates the brain’s natural healing systems, allowing distressing emotions to be “unstuck” and reintegrated in a healthier way. EMDR is widely used to treat: PTSD and complex trauma Anxiety and panic Childhood abuse or neglect Grief and loss Negative self-beliefs Emotional dysregulation What makes EMDR so powerful is that it doesn’t just help you talk about what happened—it helps you reprocess the event at the root of emotional pain, so your nervous system no longer feels like it’s still “in the moment.” Why it matters that people are talking about it When public figures share their therapy experiences, it can reduce shame and encourage others to reach out for support. Miley’s openness sends the message that trauma is not something to hide, and that recovery is possible with the right tools and therapeutic relationships. When Miley spoke about using EMDR to heal emotional wounds, many people felt seen. Because the truth is, trauma doesn’t only affect those with dramatic stories—it affects everyday people who’ve experienced heartbreak, betrayal, chronic stress, or neglect. Those engaging in EMDR all have one thing in common: the desire to heal—and the sense that talk therapy alone wasn’t reaching the root. EMDR at AWI Consulting At AWI Consulting, we offer both ongoing EMDR therapy sessions and EMDR Intensives—structured sessions that allow for more focused work in a shorter period of time. Intensives can be particularly helpful for clients who want to work through specific memories or patterns and make significant therapeutic progress in a contained way. Our work is always paced with the client’s safety in mind. EMDR is not about re-living trauma, but about creating space to understand and reprocess it, with the support of a trained therapist. Want to know more about EMDR or book a session? Miley’s courage in speaking about her EMDR journey reminds us that healing is possible—and that therapy can be life-changing when you find the right support. Our trauma-informed therapists work gently and collaboratively. Whether your trauma is named or not, recent or decades old, you’ll be met with care, professionalism, and deep respect. If you’re curious about EMDR or think it might be a good fit for you, you’re welcome to reach out. We’re always happy to answer questions and support you in finding the approach that feels right. Visit our EMDR Therapy page, or get in touch via our contact us page. For more information about EMDR, please take a gander at the EMDRAA (The Aussie fellas) website here. https://awiconsulting.com.au/news/were-hiring-client-relationship-team-officeradministration monthly 0.5 2023-06-01 https://awiconsulting.com.au/news/what-to-expect-from-therapy monthly 0.5 2021-07-07 https://awiconsulting.com.au/news/awi-consulting-provide-employee-assistance-programs-across-nsw monthly 0.5 2023-08-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b8b245274961ed60761ec/bb70286c-427b-46b0-ba1f-36ff6b0c9c91/Screenshot+2023-08-28+at+10.40.59+am.png News - AWI Consulting provide Employee Assistance Programs across NSW https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b8b245274961ed60761ec/e1be5cb7-fe73-4b3f-80a6-d5ca4e8411b5/Screenshot+2023-08-28+at+10.39.52+am.png News - AWI Consulting provide Employee Assistance Programs across NSW https://awiconsulting.com.au/news/our-new-website monthly 0.5 2020-11-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b8b245274961ed60761ec/1599877133340-2G6JKSGDD7QQ8AL1CLXQ/Screen+Shot+2020-09-12+at+12.16.34+pm.png News - Our new website https://awiconsulting.com.au/home daily 1.0 2023-08-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b8b245274961ed60761ec/1596767674865-5243W3WAZD3GS6GPFMNC/bigstock-Travelling-Through-Central-Aus-320363224.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b8b245274961ed60761ec/1625545694762-Y01FNTXBV82GUVE1642Y/iStock-182197347+EDIT+with+coffee+cup.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b8b245274961ed60761ec/1600831280220-71AG26A79T155MDSCGGU/Untitled-4-01.jpg Home - Counselling We can help with personal, family and work issues such as anxiety and depression, mental health stress management, grief and loss, low self esteem, emotional or physical abuse, interpersonal conflicts and complex trauma. We can also help with work-life balance, concerns about children, parenting, relationship issues, financial or legal concerns, substance abuse, mediation and conflict resolution. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b8b245274961ed60761ec/1601435416703-D4O5P031U9PER8CIRQJ3/joel-staveley-Uo87K3AkF-4-unsplash.jpg Home - EMDR Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps with treatment of trauma, anxiety, phobia, somatic disorders and depression. Research indicates that EMDR leads to desensitisation, distancing and cognitive shifts for people who have experienced both single incident trauma, such as a car accident or natural disaster, or complex trauma, such as war or child abuse. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b8b245274961ed60761ec/1599951960639-2NV2UWGJVLYYDVZ6IG3Z/iStock-1048193794.jpg Home - CBT / DBT Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a well-established, highly effective, and lasting treatment. It focuses on identifying, understanding, and changing thinking and behaviour patterns. Dialectical behavioural therapy, or DBT can involve individual and group therapy to learn mindfulness, as well as skills for interpersonal effectiveness, tolerating distress, and regulating emotions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b8b245274961ed60761ec/1601431603973-B5XWGZM0SDH82EODPNI9/iStock-1182947124.jpg Home - Assessments Psychologists use tests and other assessment tools to measure and observe a client's needs, strengths, differences and behaviour to arrive at a diagnosis and guide treatment. We utilise a number of measures to assess intellectual ability/cognitive function, adaptive behaviour, Autism, ADHD, individual achievement and mental health including depression, anxiety and PTSD. Please contact us for a quote to complete your tailored assessment.