Healing By The Bay Counselling
Get accessible and personalised counselling from the comfort of my home office or walking along the bayside.
Call Andrea 0413 644 623
Meet Your Therapist — Andrea
Welcome, and thank you for taking the time to visit Healing by the Bay Counselling.
If this is your first time here, I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself.
My name is Andrea, and I’m the therapist behind Healing by the Bay. I work with both individuals and couples, supporting people who are looking for greater understanding, stronger relationships, and a clearer way forward when life feels challenging or uncertain.
Before I’m a therapist, I’m also a mother, wife, sister and friend, and these roles shape how I see the world and connect with people.
I originally grew up in Ireland and immigrated to Australia almost two decades ago. While Ireland will always feel like home, the bayside community here in Cleveland has become a place where I feel deeply connected both personally and professionally.
My path into counselling really began with curiosity. I’ve always been interested in people, how we think, how we feel, and how our relationships shape our lives. Over time that curiosity grew into a passion for creating a space where people can talk openly, feel heard, and begin to understand themselves and their relationships more clearly.
My approach to therapy is grounded, compassionate and very human. I believe most people don’t need fixing, they need space, understanding, and the right conversations to help things shift.
EDUCATION
I am a registered member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and hold a Diploma in Counselling, with a focus on relationship and conflict resolution counselling using solution-focused approaches.
My work is grounded in helping individuals and couples navigate challenges with greater understanding, emotional awareness, and practical tools for moving forward.
I have completed Level 1 training in the Gottman Institute Method Couples Therapy approach and continue to further my professional development through ongoing Gottman Method training, including progressing toward Level 2 certification. This allows me to integrate evidence-based, Gottman-informed strategies into my work with couples and premarital counselling, particularly around communication, conflict management, emotional connection, rebuilding trust, and navigating betrayal within relationships.
Alongside relationship work, I have completed specialised training in supporting clients experiencing addiction, as well as additional training in working with betrayal and relationship rupture. I value creating a calm, supportive, and down-to-earth space where clients feel safe to explore the challenges they may be facing while working toward healthier and more connected relationships.
I also bring lived experience, personal insight, and a deep understanding of life’s challenges into the counselling space. Having faced adversity within my own lifetime, I understand the importance of feeling genuinely seen, heard, and supported during difficult seasons. This allows me to approach my work with authenticity, compassion, and a grounded understanding that healing and growth are rarely linear.
Our Counselling Services
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Walk & Talk Counselling
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Couples Counselling
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Individual Counselling
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Telehealth Counselling
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Addiction Counselling
Andrea & Marlow — Healing by the Bay Counselling
Alongside me in this photo is Marlow, a very special part of the practice. Marlow is often quietly nearby during sessions and sometimes joins our Walk & Talk appointments by the bay. His calm and gentle presence has a wonderful way of helping people feel more relaxed when they arrive.
For many people, walking into counselling for the first time can feel overwhelming. Emotions can sit close to the surface, nerves can be high, and simply entering a new space can take courage. Marlow naturally helps soften some of that. Whether it’s a quiet hello at the door, lying peacefully nearby during a session, or joining us on a walk by the water, he often helps create a sense of warmth, safety, and connection within the space.
Clients regularly comment on how comforting his presence feels, particularly during difficult conversations, emotionally heavy sessions, or moments where words are hard to find. Something is grounding about having a calm, non-judgmental presence nearby, especially when navigating vulnerability and change.
Marlow is never forced into sessions, and his involvement is always gentle, respectful, and guided by client comfort. Some clients love interacting with him, while others simply appreciate his quiet presence in the background.
At Healing by the Bay, I believe therapy is not only about conversation, but it is also about creating an environment where people feel safe enough to slow down, breathe, reflect, and reconnect with themselves and one another. Marlow has become a very special part of helping create that experience. 🩵
WALK AND TALK
Providing a safe place for relaxation, with all appointments being held by the water as we walk along the bay.
WHO I WORK WITH
Individuals and Couples:
Who may be experiencing;
Relationship challenges and communication difficulties
• Betrayal or a loss of trust within a relationship
• The impact of addiction, alcohol use, or gambling within relationships
• Life transitions or periods of uncertainty
• Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected
• A desire to better understand themselves or strengthen their relationships
Many couples come to counselling after trust has been broken. These moments can feel incredibly painful and uncertain, but they can also become an opportunity to better understand what has happened and begin rebuilding honesty, connection and clarity.
My role is to support both individuals within the relationship, creating a space where each person can feel heard while we work together to understand what has brought you here and what the next steps may look like.
Sometimes people arrive knowing exactly what they want to work on, and sometimes they simply know something doesn’t feel quite right. Both are completely welcome here.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME
Healing by the Bay Counselling is based in Cleveland, Brisbane. I offer both in-person and telehealth counselling sessions, supporting individuals and couples. Couples sessions are also available via Zoom.
WHAT TO EXPECT
If counselling is new to you, it’s completely normal to feel a little unsure at first.
Our first session is simply a chance to talk and begin understanding what has brought you here. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out — we simply start the conversation together.
Sessions are relaxed, conversational, and guided by what feels most important for you.
My goal is always to create a space that feels safe, supportive, and respectful.
And of course, you may find Marlow nearby, quietly offering his own kind of support along the way.
Andrea
Healing by the Bay Counselling
