Katharine Heading , ACA

Katharine Heading is a counsellor and a member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) with 17 years of experience working across a broad range of mental health and wellbeing issues. She combines a wealth of practical experience from community health and specialised services with a person-centred approach that emphasises clients' strengths and lived experience.

Her professional path began in an unexpected setting - working as a tin and copper miner in the remote township of Balfour in north-west Tasmania. That early life in a rugged landscape, alongside horses, dogs, pademelons, wallabies and the region's distinctive birds, fed a curiosity and resilience that later guided her into psychology. Katharine completed an undergraduate degree by distance education and moved to Hobart to continue her studies while raising young children. During her training she worked with Relationships Australia, Tasmania focusing on problem gambling, and at the Department of Psychiatry at the Royal Hobart Hospital on projects including spider phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and the Fragile X Project. She also facilitated groups for Gambling and Betting Addiction Inc.

After relocating to western Victoria in 2011, Katharine worked as a senior manager in community health supporting programs such as generalist counselling, youth services, homelessness, family violence, dual diagnosis and alcohol and other drugs. In private practice she tailors therapy to individual needs, supporting people to meet their goals through affirming language and collaborative work. Katharine draws on a mix of therapeutic techniques with particular emphasis on re-regulating nervous system dysregulation through hypnotherapy, relaxation and meditative strategies, and she also incorporates equine-supported mental health and nature-based approaches where appropriate.

Hypnotherapy and Remote Support for Practical Change

Katharine uses hypnotherapy as a central tool, guiding clients into a relaxed, focused state to help reduce nervous system arousal and support new ways of thinking and responding. This approach can be helpful for issues such as anxiety, sleep difficulties, stress and some habit-related concerns. She also integrates relaxation and meditative strategies that teach breath work, grounding and calming techniques to manage overwhelming feelings and support emotional regulation.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Katharine works collaboratively with each person to determine what fits best with their needs, goals and preferences. She values client expertise in their own lives and adapts techniques over time so therapy remains practical and relevant.

Online therapy options including video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging offer flexibility for people with busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities or limited local options. These formats make it easier to access regular support from licensed professionals and therapists, maintain continuity of care, and use therapeutic tools between sessions for steady progress.