Colleen McDonald, AASW

Colleen McDonald is a university-qualified, accredited social worker with 10 years of experience in the mental health sector. She specialises in trauma, relationships and family work, and supports individuals, couples and families with empathy, clarity and practical insight. Colleen brings a trauma-informed perspective to her practice and draws on her postgraduate study in family and relationship therapy to support clients facing challenges such as anxiety, relationship difficulties, eating and complex family dynamics.

Colleen is an accredited member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), which recognises her professional standing as a social worker. She is also progressing toward mental health accreditation and extends her skills into clinical supervision, mentoring and tutoring, backed by certified training in Fundamentals of Clinical Supervision, Clinical Supervision in Practice and Advanced Supervision Skills. Her approach is grounded in authenticity, relational connection and respect for each person's lived experience.

Clients can expect a collaborative process in which Colleen helps identify practical strategies and therapeutic pathways tailored to their needs, whether addressing trauma and abuse, family of origin issues, communication problems or the emotional impacts of chronic illness and life transitions.

Trauma and family-focused approaches delivered online

Colleen uses trauma-focused therapy to help people process and reduce the ongoing effects of traumatic events. This approach focuses on understanding how past experiences shape current responses and developing practical skills to manage symptoms such as hypervigilance, dissociation and intense emotional reactions. Colleen also draws on family and relationship therapy informed by her postgraduate training, working with couples and family systems to improve communication, resolve conflict and rebuild connection after separation, blended family changes or longstanding patterns of interaction.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process. Colleen works collaboratively with clients to explore which methods fit their needs, goals and preferences, and adapts the work as progress is made. Clients are supported to set realistic aims and decide together on techniques and pace.

Online therapy via video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging offers flexibility for people juggling work, caregiving or health challenges. These options make it easier to maintain regular sessions, access therapy from regional areas within Australia and continue care during life transitions, while allowing therapists and appropriately qualified or registered professionals to tailor the format to each client's circumstances.