motive. counselling
helping you break the patterns that hold you back.
Coping rather than living?
When old ways of coping stop working, you may feel overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected or unsure of who you’re becoming.
We provide specialist counselling and practical skills for life reassessment, direction, meaning and purpose. In-person support in Canberra and online Australia-wide.
how I can help.
Life Reassessment & Identity.
Address the feelings of loneliness and struggles with identity and people pleasing. while navigating major life changes like a midlife reassessment (midlife crisis). We work to find greater purpose and direction, building a self-worth that is internally secure.
Break free from compulsive habits like substance use, online gaming, pornography or gambling. Beyond addiction, these behaviours mask deeper needs for comfort and escape from pain. We explore whether shame and unmet needs are driving the cycle, moving toward awareness and compassion.
Addiction & Compulsion.
Perfectionism & Self-Criticism.
Together, we’ll uncover the beliefs behind perfectionism and self-criticism that drive the cycle of over-vigilance and help cultivate a compassionate and genuine self-acceptance.
Grief & Loss.
Support for coping with loss, separation, or identity changes. Whether through bereavement or life upheaval, learn to grieve, integrate, and process what has happened.
Anxiety & Emotional Regulation.
More than symptoms to manage. Anxiety and low mood can signal a need for greater agency and direction in your life. Our work explores the roots of emotional distress, helping you gain clarity so you can move toward a life that feels authentic and deeply meaningful.
Intimacy & Healing.
Focus on healing attachment anxiety, trust issues, and sexual disconnection within partnerships. Repair emotional distance and move beyond patterns of avoidance to rediscover genuine closeness and security in relationships.
therapeutic approach.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing is used when you feel ambivalent or stuck about making big life changes, especially regarding compulsive habits or challenging relational patterns. Instead of being told what to do, we work together to uncover your deepest reasons for change. This supportive style helps you build internal confidence and motivation to move past resistance.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is essential for breaking the avoidance cycle. If you feel deeply stuck, ACT teaches you how to stop fighting difficult thoughts and instead, make space for them, leading to greater flexibility. This allows you to shift your energy from compulsion toward committed action that aligns with your core values and purpose.
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy (deep-rooted emotional patterns) addresses the most deeply ingrained, recurring patterns in your life that were formed in childhood. These patterns, or emotional blueprints, guide our work to heal old attachment wounds and meet the core emotional needs that were missed. This foundational process helps stop the cycle of self-sabotage and compulsive avoidance that holds you back.
I’m Mat.
I have over a decade of experience working in mental health and addiction across Australia and the UK. I currently work part-time as a counsellor with EveryMan Canberra and am completing postgraduate studies in psychology.
I help people understand emotional patterns, unmet needs, and past experiences that shape struggles like anxiety, perfectionism, loneliness, or coping habits (pornography, substance use, social media). My approach is calm, open, and easygoing, with a transparent style that feels collaborative rather than rigid, overly clinical or scripted.
If you are beginning to question parts of your life or feel a shift in how you see yourself, you are not alone. These moments can be confusing, tiring, or isolating, and having someone by your side can help. If it feels like the right time to talk things through, you are welcome to reach out.
Graduate Diploma of Psychology (student)
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Diploma of Community Services (AOD)
Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)
Registered Member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
qualifications.
transparent fees.
Individual Session (50 min)
$160
Free Consultation (15 min)
NOTE: Cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice, or non-attendance, will incur a half-session fee.
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A social worker is a trained professional who supports people’s wellbeing by addressing both personal challenges and the social systems around them. In Australia, social workers hold an accredited degree and many are registered with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), which sets national standards for ethics and practice.
All three professions (social workers, counsellors, and psychologists) can provide counselling. The difference is in their training and focus:
Counsellors provide a safe, supportive space to talk through challenges and build coping skills.
Psychologists can also be counsellors, with additional training in assessing and treating mental health conditions. They may also use psychological testing.
Social workers provide counselling too. We use evidence-based therapies while also considering the systems we are part of, such as families, workplaces, communities, and broader social pressures. This holistic approach means looking at both what’s going on inside (thoughts, feelings, behaviours) and outside (relationships, environment, life circumstances).
As both a counsellor and social worker, I combine these approaches so our work is therapeutic, practical, empowering, and less clinical.
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Location: 490 Northbourne Ave, Dickson ACT, (WOTSO building).
Hours: By appointmentAdditionally, I offer online or 'walk and talk’ therapy, which combines outdoor walking with therapeutic conversation, helping you to think, feel, and speak more freely while in motion.
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I understand that sometimes life gets in the way. I require at least 48 hours' notice for any cancellations or rescheduling. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice, or non-attendance, will incur a half session fee. This policy allows me to offer the appointment time to other clients who may be waiting.
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If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply want to improve aspects of your life, therapy can be beneficial. The free 15-minute consultation is a great way to explore this without any commitment
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Absolutely. Confidentiality is the cornerstone of therapy. Everything we discuss is kept private, with a few legal and ethical exceptions, which we will cover in our first session.
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There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The number of sessions depends on what brings you to therapy, how long the issue has been present, and how much time and energy you’re able to commit to the process. Some people notice changes after a few sessions, while others prefer longer-term support to work through deeper issues or life transitions.
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The first session is about getting to know each other. We'll discuss what brought you to therapy, your goals, and you can ask any questions you have about the process. It's a low-pressure way to see if we're a good fit.
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No, you do not need a referral to book a session. You can contact me directly to make an appointment. This allows us to start working together whenever you're ready.
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As a social worker, my services are not currently eligible for rebates under the Medicare Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative. My fee structure is set independently to reflect this.
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I offer both in-person sessions in Canberra and secure online video sessions for clients located anywhere in Australia.
Please note that online sessions are conducted via video call and not through text or email.
frequently asked questions.
Email: mat@motivecounselling.com.au
490 Northbourne Ave, Dickson, ACT
Hours: By appointment (online or in person)
book now.
490 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson ACT, Australia