Sandra Shearer , PACFA

Sandra Shearer is a PACFA-credentialed counsellor based in Australia with eight years of professional experience in community services, mental health, and wellbeing supports. She has worked with people navigating family conflict, grief and loss, motivation and self esteem challenges, confidence issues, and career difficulties, bringing practical experience and a person-focused approach to each case. PACFA stands for the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, indicating recognised professional training and membership in an Australian counselling body.

Sandra approaches each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, tailoring conversations and treatment plans to fit an individual’s unique situation and goals. She places emphasis on collaborative work so that therapy reflects what matters most to the individual, whether the focus is rebuilding confidence, resolving family tensions, or adapting to life changes. Taking the first step can require courage, and Sandra views it as an honour to support people through transitions toward improved wellbeing and clearer direction in their lives.

Therapeutic Approaches for Flexible Online Care

Sandra draws on client-centered therapy to place the person's experience at the center of sessions, creating a supportive space where individuals lead the conversation and identify their own goals - this approach is helpful for building self esteem, processing grief, and managing life transitions. She also uses motivational interviewing to explore a person’s readiness for change, gently resolving mixed feelings and strengthening motivation for decisions related to career shifts, health behaviours, or caregiving roles. Narrative therapy is another tool in her practice, helping people reframe life stories, separate themselves from problems, and uncover alternative meanings that support recovery and purpose.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey and is decided collaboratively. Sandra will work with each person to select methods that match their needs, goals, and personal preferences, adjusting techniques as progress unfolds so the work remains practical and relevant.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility to fit sessions into busy schedules or to connect from different locations. These formats make therapy more accessible for people balancing work, caregiving, health concerns, or geographical limits, while allowing licensed professionals to tailor the pace and style of support to each individual.