About Angela Cartland

In my counselling practice I work with individuals presenting with a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship problems, work stress, grief, health and lifestyle, and more. As I counsel people, I try to let my skills, training, knowledge and experience gently inform the way the therapeutic relationship develops. Research suggests that a good counselling relationship contributes more than any other element to success in therapy. However, specific skills to treat specific problems are important too.

I am trained to deliver supportive counselling, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), evidence-based CBT therapies for specific needs, and the Unified Protocol for Emotional Disorders. These versatile therapies can help with a range of issues and difficulties, including trauma, and include mindfulness-based and physiological calming  techniques particularly good for processing “stuck emotions” (emotional baggage). I am an accredited CBT practitioner, able to apply structured CBT protocols for specific kinds of anxiety such as panic disorder, agoraphobia and OCD. Trauma can be well treated with Trauma-Focused CBT, which always begins with grounding and stabilisation.  Cognitive Therapy is useful for gaining greater psychological flexibility and changing negative thinking patterns.  Grief therapy is always very individually tailored, but will involve support, exploration and guidance in the light of the main “tasks of mourning”.

CBT has amassed the most research evidence of effectiveness, and is now being enhanced by newer therapeutic approaches, such as mindful acceptance therapies like ACT, or techniques that work with new neurological discoveries about the autonomic nervous system.  These discoveries show how the autonomic nervous system reacts to stress and how it can be helped to return to a calm and alert state.

Since 2005, I have done counselling and psychotherapy with young adults to seniors. I have extensive experience in private practice and have also worked as a clinician for Lifeline, Mission Australia, and CatholicCare. These jobs have broadened my experience to include people with more complex and severe problems. I was born into a migrant family and especially enjoy working with culturally diverse clients.

Christian/spiritual counselling is also available on request.  Otherwise, all approaches are secular, though questions and concerns about meaning and the spiritual dimension of life are never “out of line”.

Qualifications & Memberships

  • Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Australian College of Applied Psychology)
  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with Honours (University of Canberra)
  • Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy (Australian College of Applied Psychology)
  • PACFA Reg. Clinical Level 26514 (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia)
  • CCAA Clinical Level Member (Christian Counsellors Association of Australia)
  • Accredited CBT Practitioner (CBT Institute)