Nicola is the founder of Stepped Care Counselling at Blackbird House. She also works as a psychiatric triage specialist within the public health sector and is a Mentor with the Australia Association of Social Workers (AASW). With over 14 years’ experience in counselling, group therapy facilitation, case management and advocacy, Nicola in an accredited Mental Health Social Worker and a current member of the AASW. More recently, Nicola has gained accreditation as a Mindfulness Facilitator with the International Mindfulness and Meditation Alliance (IMMA).

Nicola previously worked with Blackbird Counselling as a perinatal mental health therapist supporting clients with birth trauma, anxiety, depression and post-partum psychosis, as well as supporting parents in their transition back-to-work. She continues her work and passion in this area, within her own business, Stepped Care Counselling. Nicola also has a special interest in supporting primary and middle school-aged children and their families with mental health concerns, using age-appropriate therapeutic interventions with a growth mindset framework. She works as neurodiversity affirming counsellor and welcomes young clients requiring support with ASD and ADHD who are presenting with anxiety or depressive symptoms.

At Stepped Care Counselling, Nicola strives to offer a warm, empathic approach as a therapist, as she knows it can be difficult to make the step to see someone. She is non-judgmental and down-to-earth. Her main goal is to assist people to feel at ease, to feel understood and make sense of their issues. She draws on her skills in motivating change to help people towards their goals. She has a practical and eclectic approach to therapy and will conduct a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment to determine which stream of care best suits her client’s needs.