Bundaberg Counselling
Are you a woman in the Bundaberg district who is looking for counselling?
Would you like support from an experienced female counsellor?
If so, Bundaberg Counselling is here for you!
Introduction
Karen Barlow - Bundaberg Counselling
Karen Barlow is a highly respected counsellor with more than 25 years of experience empowering individuals and families across the Bundaberg region.
Known for her warm presence and practical wisdom, Karen brings deep expertise from her previous work in parenting workshops, family counselling, domestic violence support, youth work, and cross‑cultural care — including her time as a school counsellor in Beirut.
As the founder of Bundaberg Counselling, Karen specialises in supporting women through life’s challenges. Her approach is grounded, insightful, and refreshingly real, helping clients feel understood from the very first conversation.
Whether in one‑on‑one sessions or group settings, Karen’s mission is simple: to help people feel stronger, more connected, and more hopeful about their future.
Her aim is to provide great information and strategies so that clients develop helpful skills and learn something new in every session.
A Safe Space to Talk
How We Can Help
Our vision is to provide a responsive and supportive service that will help you reach your goals and live a meaningful and rewarding life.
Stress Management
We can teach you how to cope better and manage anxiety and other big emotions more effectively.
Education and Awareness
We can help you to understand the biology of stress and its impact on your body and life.
Strengths
Instead of just focusing on problems, we'll explore your successes, your values, and what makes you resilient.
Relaxation Techniques
Many sessions incorporate practical activities that help you to relax, feel calm and reduce tension within your body.
The Benefits
You can learn so much from counselling. It's not just about talking, it's also about developing awareness about your issues, as well as gaining knowledge and skills to help you cope better, and give you the confidence to deal better with life's ups and downs.
Counselling can facilitate self-discovery and personal development, and help you better understand yourself.
Our desire is to explore your counselling goals and help you move towards achieving these goals. The aim is that you will learn something new at every session and be able to apply these strategies to your everyday life.
Contact us today so that we can discuss your counselling needs and help, develop lots of great skills, and better understand yourself.
Therapies Available
The following therapies and strategies are integrated into counselling sessions to best meet the needs of the client:
Compassion Focused Therapy
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Internal Family Systems
Positive Psychology
Grief and Loss
Boundaries
Relaxation and breath work
Guided meditations
Grounding and self-soothing strategies
The biology of stress
Attachment Theory
Strength-based Therapy
Solution-focused Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Domestic Violence - Safe & Together Model
Trauma-Informed practices
Quick Response Counselling
Counselling When You Need It
Karen offers a dedicated quick‑response service for clients who need support straight away on general issues including stress, distress, worry, negative thoughts, conflict, decision making and family issues.
Using a triage approach, she accepts referrals from GPs, self‑referrals, and community agencies.
Every Friday, Karen sets aside specific appointment slots for new clients needing immediate, compassionate care. There is also availability on other days as well.
She provides a calm, supportive space for stressed individuals to talk through what’s happening right now and receive practical guidance tailored to their immediate needs.
Trained in Single Session Therapy, Karen can offer effective one‑off support while also welcoming clients to continue weekly sessions on a day that suits them.
For mental health emergencies please go straight to The Lighthouse at the Bundaberg Hospital. They are open 7 days a week from 2pm to 9pm. You can also phone them on 07 4150 2600.
Our Values
It's All About The Relationship
Our values underpin all of the work done in our counselling sessions with clients:
It is with warmth and kindness we are held with compassion.
It is through connection and understanding we gain courage and insight.
It is when we experience empathy and acceptance that we feel heard and valued.
It is by opening ourselves up to new ways of responding to situations that we regain our inner balance.
It is in the quiet stillness that we hear our breath.
And it is in these moments that we are able to heal and find strength to move forward.
© Karen Barlow
Our Logo
The Little Blue Fairy Wren
In the ever-shifting landscape of life, the blue fairy wren offers a quiet lesson in resilience. Though small and seemingly delicate, it thrives amidst change—navigating new seasons, environments, and challenges.
In counselling, we learn to navigate life’s tangled paths, uncovering strength we didn’t know we had. Like the wren, we may feel fragile at times, but we are never without the capacity to develop and grow.
This tiny bird becomes a symbol of our own capacity to thrive. We can discover inner resources we didn’t know we had.
Healing isn’t about avoiding change—it’s about learning to move through it, gently and bravely, one step at a time.
Whether you're navigating grief, anxiety, or life transitions, counselling is a gentle space where healing begins.
Parenting
Karen has a 'Parenting' column in the Bundaberg Today newspaper every Friday. She speaks on topics that relate to parenting in every day life. Be sure to get your copy of the newspaper every Friday and check out her helpful parenting tips. The newspaper is also available online.
Karen also specialises in counselling for parents. Parenting is one of the most important, and yet sometimes the most difficult task we can undertake in our lifetimes. There are so many opinions and ideas out there and it's hard to know what works. It is important to look at the information that has years of research within the parenting world.
Karen Barlow is a licenced practitioner of:
Circle of Security Parenting - a well respected parenting group program, which she has facilitated for almost a decade.
Karen is a certified practitioner in:
'Evidence-based Parenting - Raising Children to Thrive' by Australia's parenting expert, Dr Justin Coulson.
'Bringing Up Great Kids' - Australian Childhood Foundation
'Reboot Now' - Sarah Roulston
Karen is keen to assist people in their parenting roles via individual counselling with lots of wisdom and understanding support.
Support for Men
Karen Barlow - The Stress Buster!
Karen Barlow offers men a calm, straightforward space to talk openly about stress, relationships, and the pressures they carry.
With more than 25 years of experience in family counselling, and youth and community work, she understands the different ways men cope and communicate.
Karen works with men who want practical support and clear, grounded guidance.
She helps with problem‑solving, navigating relationship challenges, managing frustration, dealing with anger in healthier ways, and improving overall wellbeing.
She also supports men dealing with communication difficulties, work stress, family responsibilities, confidence concerns, and major life transitions such as separation, career change, and parenting.
Her approach is respectful, focused, and based on great strategies that help you cope with everyday life.
Each session is designed to 'bust the stress' and help men move forward with greater clarity, capability, and confidence.
BRAVE BROTHERS
For group activities and support for men contact Brave Brothers.
Key Contact & Information:
Email: info@bravebrothers.org
Website: bravebrothers.org.au
Facebook Page: Brave Brothers Ltd
Faith‑Sensitive Counselling
For clients who value their Christian faith, Karen offers counselling that honours your beliefs and allows you to bring your spirituality into the therapeutic space in a way that feels natural and comfortable.
If it’s meaningful for you, we can gently integrate Biblical principles alongside evidence‑based therapeutic approaches, drawing on both counselling insight and the wisdom of Scripture.
Some people find that their faith provides strength, grounding, and clarity during challenging seasons, and Karen will support you in exploring that with care and respect.
You’re always free to decide how much or how little your faith becomes part of our work together — the pace and depth are entirely yours to choose.
Karen also warmly welcome clients from all walks of life. Whether faith is central to your identity or not part of your world at all, you are welcome here.
Her commitment is to offer a compassionate, non‑judgmental space where your story, values, and experiences are met with understanding and respect.
Bundaberg Counselling with Karen Barlow
Follow us on our Facebook page to keep up to date with what we are offering. Look for our Blue Fairy Wren logo and you are sure to find us.
On our Facebook page, you'll also gain:
heaps of information about positive psychology and gratitude
understand the benefits of self-compassion
parenting advice
and be encouraged to live your best life.
Check out the page: Bundaberg Counselling with Karen Barlow
Testimonials
We're here for you.
You are worth it. If you’ve ever felt like your pain isn’t important enough, or that you should just “get on with it”—please know this: your feelings matter. You matter. You are worthy of care, of healing, of being truly seen.
I offer a gentle, confidential space where you can talk freely, feel safe, and begin to reconnect with yourself. No judgment. Just kindness, empathy, and someone who truly listens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to the questions we often get asked.
There is a saying that 'Time heals all wounds', but according to Dr Henry Cloud the co-author of 'Boundaries', it's not time that heals wounds, it is what you DO in that time that heals emotional wounds. Counselling provides insight, awareness and understanding about the issues you may be facing. It also provides knowledge and skills to help you cope better and move forward to help you have a more positive approach to life. Ultimately, the aim of counselling is for our lives to be renewed.
I am currently available:
Mondays to Thursdays : from 9:30am to 5pm
Fridays from 9:30am to 4pm
Appointments are made by phone, email or SMS.
Phone or SMS: 0413 971 281
Email: support@bundabergcounselling.com.au
There has been a lot of research done in the areas of mental health and wellbeing, and there are many helpful activities that have been proven to decrease stress and improve your wellbeing. Some of these include:
massages
tai chi
walking with a friend
moving your body
swimming
going to the beach
breathing activities
singing
listening to positive peaceful music
yoga
gym classes
riding a bike
smiling
guided relaxations and
Mindfulness activities.
It's also really important to slow down, notice your breathing, be in the present moment, and be kind to yourself.
Bundaberg Counselling is a fee for service business that provides competitive rates.
Individual sessions - $100 for 60 minutes.
When you book an appointment for counselling, you will be sent an invoice. Payment is done by bank transfer on or before the day of the appointment. The invoice will include our BSB and Account Number and information about your first session.
We are happy to take referrals from your GP and other health professionals. We also welcome self-referrals and you can simply contact us on the form at the end of this website and ask for an appointment. It's great if you can indicate your best days and times.
Yes. Phone counselling is available!
During COVID I spent 2 years providing a high level of phone counselling to my clients and many of them opted to stay with phone counselling even after COVID was over. One of the benefits of phone and online counselling is that you don't have to worry about transport and parking. Another benefit is that you can sit in your own comfy chair at home, get a hot or cold drink and chill out. At the end of each session, I offer a relaxation, and that means you can stay in your chair and stay in a relaxed state for a lot longer than if you had to get in a car and drive home. It's lovely!
A Welcoming Space
Our counselling space offers a warm, welcoming environment designed to help you feel at ease from the moment you arrive. Soft seating and a calm, uncluttered layout create a sense of comfort and safety, inviting honest conversation and reflection. It’s a space where you can slow down, explore your thoughts, and feel genuinely supported. Whether you’re seeking clarity, healing, or personal growth, this room provides a gentle, grounding backdrop for meaningful change.
Community Telephone Support Services
If you or anyone you know are struggling and need support any time of the day, please talk to a trained telephone counsellor from one of the services below:
Lifeline Australia 13 11 14
Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78
Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800
1800RESPECT 1800 737 732
If this is an emergency, call 000.
Contact Us Today!
Address
suite 25a/20b Quay St, Bundaberg Central QLD 4670, Australia
Phone
0413 971 281ABN
76321029237