Philosophy & Vision
My name is Debra, and my goal is to support clients in resolving personal and relationship challenges through a fully integrated, holistic counselling approach. I help individuals draw on their personal strengths and values to navigate life’s difficulties with greater clarity and confidence. I hold a Bachelor of Counselling and am a fully qualified Counsellor and Accredited Mental Health First Aider. With extensive experience in mentoring programs, I work with empathy and sensitivity to create a safe, supportive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered.
I use a variety of contemporary, evidence-based approaches—including Mindfulness, Solution-Focused, Person-Centred, Narrative, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapies—customised to meet each client’s unique needs. This tailored approach empowers clients to achieve their personal goals and unlock their full potential.
Background
My background includes extensive experience as a professional counsellor delivering online Telehealth services to clients facing a broad range of mental health challenges. Additionally, I have mentored secondary school students across Australia, supporting their personal and emotional development. I also served as a student representative on the AIPC Teaching and Learning Committee, advocating for the needs and perspectives of counselling students. This diverse experience enriches my understanding and ability to connect with clients from all walks of life.
Services
You can find a full list of the counselling services I offer on my website at the bottom of the page, including:
Relationship Counselling
Anger Management
Grief and Loss Support
Depression
Anxiety
Gestalt Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Solution Focused
Acceptance Commitment Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Person-Centred Therapy
Stress Management
Each service is tailored to meet your unique needs and support your journey toward wellbeing and personal growth.
Quality Provision
As a fully qualified Counsellor and Accredited Mental Health First Aider, I am registered with the Australian Counselling Association and Psychology Today. I am committed to ongoing professional development, including regular clinical supervision, to ensure the highest standards of care. Additionally, I have served on the Board of the AIPC Teaching and Learning Committee, contributing to the advancement of counselling education. I offer convenient telehealth services nationwide.
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- Diploma of Counselling - 2019 - AIPC
- Mental Health First Aider - 2021 - MHFA
- Bachelor of Counselling - 2022 - AIPC
Modalities
ACT - CBT - Ericksonian - Focusing - Freudian - Gestalt - Journal Therapy - Mindfulness - Narrative Therapy - Person Centred
Therapy Approach
My approach to counselling services includes the use of the following proven techniques:
Mindfulness
Person Centred Therapy
Solution Focused Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Acceptance Commitment Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Professional Associations
- Australian Counselling Association - Level 2
Appointments
Appointments are made via my web site or by emailing me directly. I work Monday to Thursday and every second Friday morning. However, I can be contacted to arrange times that suit the client's circumstances.
Fees & Insurance
A $30.00 15-minute initial consultation helps you explore whether counselling is the right fit for you. Standard 55-minute sessions are $120. For those booking multiple sessions, a discounted rate of $110 for 1-hour multiple sessions of 8 or more.
Payment Options
Card payments
Stripe payments
Contact Debra
Please contact me to make an appointment
A conversation with Debra Sumner
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As a people's person I love to interact with a broad range of individuals from multi cultured and diverse backgrounds, I found people asking me how did I achieve the things I had done. This included being a Triathlete, a Laboratory Technician, a Business Management Consultant and a mother. This made me ask the question of how do I give people support and advice if I have no training in this area, so I set off to undertake mature age studies and found my love of helping people inspired me me to gain a degree in Counselling develop my new mantra of "Believe and Achieve".
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Being mindful and living by my mantra, “Believe and Achieve,” has been the foundation of my personal and professional growth. This approach centres on self-awareness, resilience, and a commitment to lifelong learning. I believe in never giving up on the journey of growth—each challenge is an opportunity, and every experience holds a lesson. This mindset has deeply influenced my development as a counsellor, allowing me to support others with empathy, curiosity, and a genuine belief in their ability to create meaningful change.
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Health has always been a priority in my life, as I believe true wellbeing comes from finding a balance between movement, nourishing food, meaningful connections, and time in nature. While these aspects are often undervalued, they play a vital role in our overall happiness and resilience. In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining this balance can be challenging—we’re constantly pulled in different directions. That’s why I’m passionate about exploring the human journey through a holistic lens, reminding ourselves that caring for both mind and body is essential to living a healthy, fulfilling life.
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The methods I use are grounded in proven, evidence-based therapies acquired through my formal training, complemented by ongoing professional development in contemporary approaches, including:
Mindfulness
Narrative Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Person Centred
Acceptance Commitment Therapy
Gestalt Therapy
This blend of established and modern techniques allows me to tailor interventions to suit each client’s unique needs and support meaningful, lasting change.
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Clients begin to feel progress when they notice positive changes within themselves—whether in their thoughts, feelings, behaviours, or overall outlook. These shifts often bring greater clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of control, marking important steps forward on their journey of growth and healing.
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Therapy has made me a better person because it has shown me that we all at some point need help. I believe that when we are ready to reach out and ask for help there is always someone who is skilled enough to listen to the unique story, provide compassion and offer techniques that can be life changing. Watching clients achieve their goals is such a rewarding job.
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What I love most about being a therapist is witnessing clients achieve their goals and experience meaningful growth. Supporting their journey of healing and seeing them gain confidence, clarity, and resilience is incredibly rewarding and inspires me every day.
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Yes, everyone has “bad hair” days—even me! But I’ve learned that accepting those imperfect moments helps me truly appreciate the great days. After all, without the bad days, how would we recognise and celebrate the good ones? Embracing both ups and downs is part of life’s balance.
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Communication is often the most significant challenge many clients face, closely followed by issues of trust—both in themselves and in others. Reflecting on this, it raises an important question: What is the most pressing problem we encounter in the world today? For many, it may well be the struggle to connect authentically and build trust in our relationships. Addressing these fundamental issues is key to fostering understanding, healing, and stronger connections in both our personal lives and communities.
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I’m a big fan of Brené Brown and her insightful books on vulnerability, courage, and connection. Outside of work-related reading, one of the most inspiring books I’ve recently enjoyed is The Girl Who Fell from the Sky—the true story of an extraordinary woman whose resilience and strength left a lasting impression on me. These books continue to inspire and shape both my personal journey and my work with others.