Denise Gallo, AASW

Denise Gallo is an experienced Australian social worker with 34 years of professional practice, offering compassionate support for people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem challenges, and life transitions. She holds the AASW credential, the abbreviation for the Australian Association of Social Workers, and brings a long history of working within statutory child protection services to her clinical work.

Denise tailors conversations and treatment plans to each person's unique circumstances, combining sensitivity and respect with practical strategies to build coping skills and resilience. Her practice also addresses compassion fatigue and a wide range of family and relationship issues, including adoption and foster care, attachment concerns, blended family dynamics, caregiving stress, and domestic violence. She works with clients across the lifespan and supports people navigating change, loss, and rebuilding after trauma.

A mother of six who has travelled internationally in the course of her child protection work, Denise is fluent in English, Spanish, French and Italian, and she invites clients to access therapy in the language in which they feel most comfortable. Beginning therapy can take courage, and Denise aims to create a respectful, supportive environment that honours each client’s strengths and goals.

Therapeutic approaches for online counselling and support

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and learn practical skills to accept difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to meaningful action. It is often used for anxiety, stress, and challenges that arise during life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on relationships and early bonding patterns, helping clients understand how past attachments influence current behaviour and relationships, which can be useful for attachment issues, family difficulties and trauma-related concerns. Client-Centred Therapy emphasises a non-judgemental, empathetic therapeutic relationship; the therapist provides support and reflection so clients can explore their feelings and find their own solutions, which suits people seeking a respectful, collaborative space to build self-esteem and cope with life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Denise works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods fit best with their needs, goals and preferences. She and the client will consider options together and adapt the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility by allowing sessions by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging, so people can access support around work, family commitments or mobility constraints. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, attend more regularly and choose the communication format that feels most comfortable, while working with appropriately qualified or registered professionals and therapists.