Sara Natalia Ruilova Medina, AASW

Sara Natalia Ruilova Medina is an AASW-accredited social worker who brings three years of clinical experience working with people in Australia. Accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers, she offers a calm, grounded approach to clients facing stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, and the challenges of major life changes.

Sara focuses on helping people understand their inner world and recognise the patterns that contribute to feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from themselves. She draws on practical strategies to support emotional regulation, increase clarity, and improve decision-making so clients can move from confusion and self-doubt toward a more coherent and empowered way of living.

Her practice addresses a wide range of concerns including abandonment and control issues, guilt and shame, isolation and loneliness, questions of life purpose, midlife transitions, mood disorders, multicultural concerns, narcissistic dynamics, obsessive-compulsive behaviours, panic attacks, self-harm, somatisation, and young adult issues. Fluent in English and Spanish, Sara works collaboratively with each person to build tools that fit their values, goals, and everyday life.

Therapeutic approaches for online counselling

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without being driven by them. It encourages identifying personal values and taking small committed actions that build a more meaningful life, which can be useful for anxiety, avoidance, and feeling stuck.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviour. It uses practical strategies to test unhelpful beliefs and develop coping skills for issues such as panic, mood concerns, obsessive behaviours, and stress.

Client-Centred Therapy provides a supportive, non-directive space where the person is treated with empathy and respect. It helps promote self-understanding and confidence so people can explore identity, relationships, and life purpose at their own pace.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. The therapist will work collaboratively with the client to select and adapt methods based on needs, goals and preferences, and may combine elements from different approaches to best support progress.

Online therapy offers flexible access to appropriately qualified or registered professionals through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit counselling into busy lives, maintain continuity during transitions, and access support from home or other convenient locations.