Hi, I’m Brad.
I’m a registered counsellor (MCouns) and a level 2 registered member of the Australian Counselling Associaton (ACA). I got interested in counselling because I’ve seen first hand the transformation that can take place in a person’s life when they get the right kind of help. Problems can feel permanent, and that can lead to twin despair and apathy, just accepting our fate and “that’s just the way I am”. More than a hundred years of psychotherapy research and my own experience has this to say: nothing could be further from the truth. People can change - that means you can too. In my work, I meet each person with complete faith that no matter how far and wide the shadows in their life reach, there is always a spark of hope and a way out, and I love to be there on that journey towards wholeness.
A bit about me
I have always had a fascination about people and how they work. I remember getting my parents to buy me a personality typing book when I was in high school and I got everyone in my class (including teachers) to go through a quiz. I even made a spreadsheet! Prior to my counselling studies, I was completing a Master of Divinity and on track to become a Christian minister. As I studied, that fascination with people became less academic and more personal; it transformed into a deep compassion and desire to help. While I could do that as a pastor, counselling seemed like a better fit, and it turns out it was. Now I combine my love for knowledge with a care for people, and provide a service where I get to the beautiful fruit of that combination.
My values
I am:
Non-pathologising
Instead of focusing on fixing what's "wrong" with you, I help you understand your experiences with compassion and build on your strengths to live a more fulfilling, whole life. People don’t have infections to remove, but lives to live.
Relational
The detached, blank-faced therapist of Hollywood cliché is over. With me you get a real person with a genuine warmth and investment in you. A good rapport is one of the biggest factors in making therapy successful and I take that seriously.
Professional
I follow the Australian Counselling Association’s professional and ethical guidelines and keep your information secure and confidential. I undergo regular supervision and am always honing my craft with professional development.
Trauma-informed
I make sure to offer an environment and service that’s safe, transparent, gives you choice in your care, and empowers you. I always welcome your perspective, and will let it shape how I work with you. That’s great for everyone, but particularly helpful for those of us with underlying trauma who find it harder to feel comfortable in this environment.
Focus Areas
Depression
Everything feels hard, and sad. Maybe not even sad - just numb. Depression has a way of making life less vibrant and more grey, often straining our relationships with friends and family, as well as impacting our ability to function well in daily life.
People with depression often don’t get help because they figure nothing is going to work, but therapy has worked for so many who felt exactly like that at first. I get how hard it feels, and I’m here to help - especially when it feels like nothing could help.
Addiction
Addiction is when wants become cravings become irresistible urges. Consequences of addiction differ - food, alcohol, porn, gaming, gambling, shopping, etc. - but all addiction is united in purpose: to fill some unmet need using whatever means necessary.
People with addiction often have a lot of shame, as they see this side of their life as something they need to hide and ‘fix’ on their own. They have already tried several times to stop what they’re doing. A part of my role might be to help you to ‘stop’, but more importantly it will be to help you find what you’re missing so that need can be met in a way that builds you up.
Anxiety
An overactive mind, thinking on every possible scenario that might cause you some danger or embarrassment. If depression numbs you out, anxiety makes you highly attentive but in a way that’s unpleasurable and exhausting.
People with anxiety often come to therapy after having done a bunch of their own research on what they need to feel better - or they book an appointment and don’t show up because they got nervous. Fear is a powerful thing, but it doesn’t have to rule your life - I’d like to help with that.
Relationships
Relationships are where the rubber hits the road when it comes to our personal histories, insecurities, hang-ups and blind spots - and our partner’s. Depending on your stage of life, you might notice patterns in your relationships. Maybe you tend to lose interest after a couple of months, or start becoming more critical. Maybe your partners have told you how off-putting it is that you get so jealous. Or maybe you keep finding yourself with a partner who treats you poorly.
People with relationship difficulties (which is most of us at some point!) can benefit from exploring their past and developing self-awareness concerning how they choose, maintain and end relationships. If you know yourself better, you will be able to show up better for your partner and yourself going forward rather than repeating the past.
Life Changes
Life changes - career, relationship, family, age, death - are inevitable. Big life shifts mean changes in who we are and how we relate to the world around us. Sometimes that isn’t so easy, and can bring a lot of strife.
People experiencing meaninglessness might be depressed. They may also be functioning okay in life, but live with a constant dissatisfaction that they know if they leave unaddressed, will eat at them. I love to help people get in touch with who they are and what they care about - and that’s just the beginning of living a meaningful life.
Training
Master of Counselling (Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors)
Master of Divinity/Graduate Diploma of Divinity (Queensland Theological College)
Registered Level 2 Counsellor (Australian Counselling Association)
Location
In-Person Counselling
I operate out of the Gateway Counselling and Wholeness Centre located at Gateway Church - Mackenzie. I also work fortnightly at Gateway’s Logan campus in Crestmead. At each location, there is ample parking and bathroom facilities, as well as a private room for us to work together.
Zoom Counselling
If getting out of the house is difficult, or Brisbane is a bit far away, you’re welcome to book a telehealth appointment for which I use the Zoom platform. The office has excellent internet speed, so the connection should be clean and uninterrupted providing your connection is solid.
Curious?