- Experienced counsellor
- Practical skills focus
- Values-based approach
About Doreen
Doreen Patenall is a PACFA-credentialled counsellor with 25 years of professional experience. She helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, relationship strain, trauma and loss. Doreen aims to make the first step easier by listening without judgment and offering steady support.
Her sessions focus on creating an open space where thoughts and feelings can be named. She encourages practical steps that fit into daily life. Conversations are paced to match what each person can manage in the moment.
Doreen draws on cognitive behavioural ideas to help people notice and change unhelpful thinking. She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to build values-based action and reduce struggle with difficult emotions. Attachment-based work helps when relationship patterns and past hurt affect current connections.
She brings a calm, straightforward style and aims to teach skills people can use between sessions. That might include breathing and grounding strategies, simple behaviour experiments, or communication exercises to try at home.
People come for different reasons - panic attacks, grief, body image concerns, social anxiety or life transitions. Doreen supports each person to set small goals and track what helps. She works collaboratively so people leave sessions with clear next steps.
Approaches that translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then take actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, panic and life direction concerns. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with small experiments or behaviour changes, which can reduce avoidance and panic symptoms. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns shape current reactions and can help when anxiety or relationship worries are linked to past hurt.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss what feels most relevant and try methods that suit the person’s goals and preferences. Decisions about techniques and pacing are made collaboratively so each plan fits the client’s needs.
The therapist’s biography does not specify which online formats are offered, so please confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time and allow short check-ins when a full session is not possible. They also let people practice skills in their usual environment and quickly follow up on strategies between sessions. Appropriately qualified therapists can adapt ACT and CBT tools to remote sessions, helping people build steady coping skills and reduce panic-related avoidance.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Doreen help with?
Doreen works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief and loss. Her additional focus includes panic disorder and panic attacks, body image and social anxiety.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is calm and practical, with an emphasis on listening and teaching tools people can use between sessions. Sessions move at a pace set by the person attending.
What background does she bring to sessions?
She has 25 years of professional experience working with people on anxiety, trauma, grief and relationship concerns. That experience informs a steady and skills-based approach.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is PACFA credentialled and practises in Australia. The PACFA credential is shown as provided by the therapist.
In which languages does she offer counselling?
Sessions are offered in English only. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options with the service before booking.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with Doreen?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. You can then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.