Sam Thomson
Social Worker AMHSW
SJT Counselling
Warradale, Adelaide SA 5046
In Person + Online Therapy Australia-wide
Philosophy & Vision
I’ve always been fascinated by people — what shapes us, how we cope, and how we can grow through life’s toughest moments. My own experiences with grief and navigating unexpected loss played a big part in drawing me to this work, fuelling both my empathy and my determination to help others through similar challenges. I have a particular interest in grief and loss, especially sudden and unexpected bereavement (including suicide), and men’s mental health — two areas often marked by silence and misunderstanding. Now, as an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker based in Warradale, SA, I work mainly with adults to help them navigate life’s complexities, rediscover their strengths, and find new ways forward.
Background
Prior to commencing in private practice, I worked across a range of acute and community based services, offering a range of clinical interventions to diverse clients. I have also worked in a number of clinical leadership positions which have provided a strong sense of clinical governance and stakeholder engagement. Before engaging with Social Work I was involved in the arts and was able to bring a sense of life experience to identity as a social worker.
Services
The newly completed SJT Counselling space in Warradale offers a warm, modern aesthetic for face-to-face engagement. Telehealth is also available to provide accesibility options both for local & interstate clients as appropriate. I also offer a range of clinical supervision services for allied health professionals, including support for social workers embarking on their mental health accreditation journey.
Quality Provision
I have a commitment to ongoing professional development and supervision, and abide by the AASW guidelines for Mental Health Social Work accreditation.
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) - 2020 - RMIT
Modalities
ACT - Attachment Theory - CBT - Christian Counselling - Inner Child - Interpersonal - Mindfulness - Motivational Interviewing - Person Centred - Schema Therapy - Sensorimotor Psychotherapy - Strengths-Based - Systems Theory - Trauma-Informed
Therapy Approach
I use a mix of evidence-based approaches — Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, Mindfulness, and Interpersonal Therapy — but my focus is always on making therapy feel like a genuine, collaborative conversation. We explore together: your stories, your patterns, your hopes for the future. I’m down-to-earth, curious, and not afraid to gently challenge when it’s helpful.
Professional Associations
- Australian Association of Social Workers
Practice Locations
Shop 3, 43A Addison Road
Warradale SA 5046
Appointments
Currently, appointments are available Monday, Friday & Saturday mornings. Flexible times are offered, including after hours to accommodate to work & family commitments.
Fees & Insurance
Upon enquiry, we'll get in touch for a free 15minute intake consult to ensure we're the right fit. Medicare rebates are available for referrals under a mental health treatment plan. Private health rebates are available; check with your provider.
Payment Options
Payments are automated through Halaxy; during the intake process, we'll ask for a card to be stored securely on file which is charged automatically at the time of appointment- no awkward money conversations required!
Contact Sam
Please contact me for more information
A conversation with Sam Thomson
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My own experiences of unexpected grief & existential exploration were the catalyst for me to explore a career in social work / counselling. I am passionate that practical support during these experiences goes a long way in processing & accepting difficult experiences- which leads to far better outcomes.
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Person-centric philosophies are up there; I think there is often an expectation for therapists to be experts, but in my experience the best outcomes usually occur in the therapy space when we're equals and my role is in setting up the space, supporting intentionality and bringing curiousity.
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I am particularly interested in grief & loss - I think this is an area which affects every single one of us, but still is something we do very poorly in Western culture. I also think most ongoing issues can be linked back to these things (whether that's bereavement specifically, or some other type of loss).
I also have a strong passion for men's mental health - both around therapuetic engagement, help-seeking and adaptability for what is traditionally a very female-orientated space (talk therapy!!). -
I use a range of approaches - most regularly ACT and Schema theory - but think it can be dependent on the person. A wise colleague recently shared that really, at their heart, all therapuetic approaches seek to explore and answer the same questions!
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Hopefully - after the first session! It won't be groundbreaking and things won't be "fixed".. but I would hope they are able to feel a strong sense of trust, safety and relationship right from the get go. However, some people want to see tangible change.. and really that's up to the individual.. how well they apply what we discuss, how committed they are for change.
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For me, therapy has provided an outlet to discuss my internal experiences out loud and given an opportunity to reflect on blindspots, things I haven't considered, things I haven't realised are connected. It helps me to get out of my own head, and see things more laterally- which I think is good!
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Being able to sit in the raw & real space. When that rapport is established and we can jump into the nitty gritty.. it often isn't pretty, but it is an incredibly privileged space to sit with what is often very painful and very 'big'. That's something I really value and respect.
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Absolutely... in my mind it's every day!! Unfortunately I'm not someone who can just get up and go....
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Global accesibility.. of everything! Too many good stories - we compare ourselves. Too many bad stories - it's easy to get hopeless. Too much war & unrest - we get complacent and numbed.
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All time favourite movie - About Time. An incredible message about love, loss, being present, grief & loss.. in my opinion, it perfectly captures all of those feelings in a light-heartened and impressionable way.