Patricia Lewis

Patricia Lewis is an ACA and PACFA counsellor with nine years' experience supporting people through stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, family conflict, trauma and self-esteem difficulties. She works in Australia and offers sessions in both English and Spanish. Patricia encourages clients to recognise their own strengths and to take small steps towards change. Patricia believes people know their story best. She listens for what matters to each person and helps them find practical ways forward. Conversations cover everyday problems as well as deeper wounds from abuse, betrayal or loss. Her approach mixes straightforward tools with reflective conversation. Patricia may use Cognitive Behavioural techniques to address anxious thoughts and Mindfulness methods to build calm and focus. She also draws on Narrative and Existential ideas to help people reframe stories and find meaning. Patricia has experience with issues related to autism and Asperger syndrome, codependency, communication problems, control issues, separation and workplace stress. She also supports people who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, or family of origin wounds, and those dealing with guilt, shame, jealousy or forgiveness. She is open to exploring concerns from a Christian counselling perspective when clients request that. Patricia aims to create a respectful space where clients can be honest, try new strategies and work at their own pace.

Approaches that translate to online care

Patricia draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy, among other methods. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them against real life to reduce anxiety and change unhelpful behaviours. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce stress and increase present-moment focus. She also uses Narrative Therapy ideas, helping people tell and reframe the stories that shape how they feel and act. Together these approaches can suit worries about anxiety, relationship patterns, self-esteem and coping after trauma. Deciding which approach to use is a shared process that begins in early sessions. Finding the right fit is collaborative. Patricia will talk with each person about their goals, preferences and life situation, and then suggest a path to try first. Sessions can be adjusted over time if a different mix of methods seems more helpful. Please confirm current session formats before booking, as the biography lists live sessions through video, phone or chat. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time so sessions can be scheduled around work or family commitments.