- Focus on manageable steps
- Experience with women's health
- Clear conversational style
About Amanda
Amanda Westphal is a Canberra-based counsellor who supports people facing stress, anxiety and life changes. She helps with panic disorder and panic attacks, low mood, relationship strain and self-esteem concerns. Amanda has nine years of experience and holds ACA credentials from the Australian Counselling Association.
Amanda uses straightforward conversation and practical strategies. Sessions focus on small, doable steps clients can use between appointments. She aims to make talking about difficult feelings feel calmer and more manageable.
Many clients come for help with relationship communication, workplace stress and major life shifts like separation. Amanda also addresses guilt, forgiveness and feelings of isolation. She gives tools for coping with social anxiety and navigating midlife questions.
Her approach balances empathy with clear techniques. Amanda listens, reflects, and suggests exercises that fit everyday life. She encourages self-compassion and realistic goals rather than quick fixes.
Clients describe a realistic, down-to-earth style that matches practical needs. Amanda was awarded the Australian Counselling Association's Counsellor of the Year: Innovation for work in women's health. She continues to focus on accessible ways to manage anxiety, mood and relationship difficulties.
Therapeutic approaches and making online sessions work for you
Amanda uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on clear skills and understanding how thoughts and feelings influence behaviour. One common method she draws on helps people notice unhelpful thinking patterns and try different ways of responding to anxiety and low mood; this can reduce the frequency and intensity of panic symptoms over time. Another approach involves practical behavioural strategies such as graded exposure and paced breathing, which aim to lower avoidance and build confidence in managing panic attacks and social anxiety.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Amanda will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals, needs and preferences. Sessions are adjusted as progress is made, and she encourages feedback so techniques stay useful and relevant.
Session formats are not specified in the original biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments around work, family and other commitments. It can also reduce travel time and let people use strategies in the situations where they need them most, such as practising breathing exercises between meetings or checking in during a lunch break.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
9+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Amanda commonly help with?
Amanda helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems and coping with life changes. She also works with panic disorder and panic attacks and related issues like low self-esteem and workplace stress.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is down-to-earth and practical, focusing on short steps clients can use between sessions. Conversations aim to reduce overwhelm and build skills for everyday situations.
How much experience does she have?
She has nine years of clinical experience working with people in Australia and has been recognised by the Australian Counselling Association for innovation in women's health.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds ACA credentials from the Australian Counselling Association and practises from Australia, based in Canberra.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients book sessions?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees and payments handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
What should I do to begin working together?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.