- Jon Kabat-Zinn
Gary Bunker
Counsellor, Addictions Counsellor
Empatia Counselling
Wollongong, NSW 2500
In Person + Online Therapy Australia-wide
Philosophy & Vision
Put simply, I help men deal with feelings of being alone, broken, unheard, with impacts from mild through to feeling hopeless and ‘near the end of your ability to cope’. I help men cope with addiction, depression, stress, grief and life challenges. I help them cope with shame and suffering from sex and sexuality problems, and kink challenges. You’re not alone, you’re not broken. There are ways to change how you feel and to make things better, in a few weeks. You’re not trapped, there is hope - you just need someone to share this with, and to help you see your way forward. That’s what I do.
Part of therapy means being heard and understood, by someone who’s walked in your shoes. But that doesn’t help without practical, helpful steps to finding your way out of where you’re stuck. I partner with my clients, to reduce that mental pain level. I use ACT, CBT and IFS therapies to deliver weekly improvements in how you feel.
Background
I grew up in England, where tough love and “man up” were just part of the culture. I grew up always feeling I was somehow different from everyone around me - and discovered late in life I really was - finding out I was neuro-diverse and have a brain that doesn't work like most of them do.
I’ve been married, divorced, remarried, and I’ve raised a family. Life’s handed me some hard knocks—including a personal tragedy that nearly took someone I love. It brought me to my knees. I felt crushed, lost, and at one point, I was ready to give up on life entirely.
But I got help—and that changed everything. Finding the right support not only helped me survive, it gave me a sense of purpose. Now, I help others do the same.
Services
For clients, I provide counselling to men of all ages, through walk and talk therapy at the Wollongong lighthouse, or online. If you can’t get to me then I also provide in-home counselling, when that helps.
I use a combination of counselling methods that are aimed at delivering results relatively quickly; there is no one-size-fits-all approach, so what we do together is tailored to what you need.
For other Counsellors, I provide a range of service from website design and content creation to supervision and counselling tools.
Quality Provision
I’m a strong advocate for fairness for all. As a neuro-diverse person, this is crucial for me. Everyone deserves respect and help.
I am committed to providing a safe, respectful, and confidential environment. I adhere to ethical guidelines, engage in regular professional development, and tailor my approach to meet each client’s unique needs. Feedback is welcomed to ensure continuous improvement in service quality. I strongly adhere to our codes of practice.
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- Diploma of Counselling - 2021 - Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors
- Major in Mindfulness-Based Therapies - 2021 - Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors
- Major in Counselling Clients with Addictions - 2021 - Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors
- Individual & Group Clinical Supervision - 2024 - Supervision Training Services
- Kink & BDSM Inclusive Treatment - 2024 - SHIPS Psychology
- Integrative Sex & Couples Certification Training - 2024 - PESI Au
Modalities
ACT - Attachment Theory - CBT - Existential - Internal Family Systems - Journal Therapy - Meditation - Mindfulness - Motivational Interviewing - Narrative Therapy - Person Centred - Solution Oriented - Strengths-Based
Therapy Approach
I take an eclectic approach to counselling, as there is no one-size-fits-all therapy for everyone.
My starting point is the story of ‘you’, and we go from there. I often use a mix of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help uncover what’s going on, and quickly find ways to relieve what you’re feeling.
Professional Associations
- Australian Counselling Association
Practice Locations
Wollongong NSW 2500
Walk and talk sessions take place at Wollongong lighthouse, or other locations if required in that area - parking is free and accessible.
Appointments
I have appointments on Saturdays, and at times throughout the week by appointment.
Fees & Insurance
Individual walk and talk or online sessions cost $125 per session, usually payable on booking. Home visits are $150.
Payment Options
Payment can be made via bank transfer, credit card or PayPal.
Contact Gary
Please contact me to make an appointment
A conversation with Gary Bunker
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I fell down my own ‘hole’ at one point in my life, when facing the loss of a child to illness, the loss of my business and my home, all at once. It got so dark for me that it suddenly made sense that everyone would be better off without me.
Luckily I realised I wasn’t thinking right, and got help - but it taught me that suicide can seem like the best way out for anyone, and it also taught me that there is nothing worse than being that low and being alone.
That changed my life and made me retrain as a counsellor; helping others avoid or escape their own dark place has become the reason I do this. -
The book “The happiest man alive” is an inspiration to me. The difference between being happy and being miserable isn’t what happens to us; Eddie Jaku lived through horrendous events, had the worst things happen to him, and yet found great acceptance and happiness.
How we choose to think, this is the difference.