Sandra Shearer, PACFA
Supportive counsellor helping rewrite your story
Details
| Name | Sandra Shearer |
|---|---|
| Credentials | PACFA |
| Based in | Australia |
| Registered with | PACFA |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 8 |
About Sandra
Sandra Shearer offers calm, straightforward support for people facing family strain, grief, low self-esteem, career hurdles and major life changes. She presents as respectful and compassionate, and focuses on helping clients find practical ways forward. Sandra uses conversation and structured tools to work through what matters most to each person.
She has eight years of experience in community services and mental health supports in Australia. Sandra draws on narrative therapy to help people reframe their stories and make sense of painful events.
Background and approach
She also uses client-centred and solution-focused methods to keep sessions practical and goal oriented. Sessions are shaped around each person's needs and pace. Sandra listens first, then helps set simple, achievable steps.
People often work on building confidence, finding direction in a career change, or managing the impact of illness and caregiving stress. Her additional focus areas include issues such as cancer, chronic pain or disability, HIV and intellectual disability. Sandra also supports people dealing with isolation, questions about life purpose, veteran and armed forces issues, and workplace stress.
She invites clients to tailor the process together, so therapy feels personally relevant. The emphasis is on respectful dialogue, practical strategies and steady progress rather than quick fixes.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Family conflicts, Grief, Self esteem among the things Sandra works with, alongside the areas below.
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- HIV / AIDS
- Intellectual disability
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Workplace issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Sandra among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Sandra among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Sandra among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Sandra directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Sandra directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How Sandra's approach fits with online counselling
Client-centred therapy focuses on the person's experience and priorities. The therapist listens without judgment and helps clients set their own pace and goals. This approach suits people who need someone to reflect their thoughts and feelings back in a steady way.Narrative therapy looks at the stories people tell about their lives and helps reframe those stories. It can be useful for grief, family conflict and identity concerns by separating the problem from the person and opening new possibilities.
Sandra treats choosing an approach as a collaborative process. She will work with each client to decide which methods suit their goals and preferences. That means trying different ways of talking and adjusting as needed rather than sticking to one rigid plan.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video suits in-depth conversations and visual cues, phone can be easier when bandwidth is limited, live chat works for shorter check-ins, and messaging supports ongoing reflection between sessions. These options give flexibility for fitting therapy around work, caregiving or medical commitments and let people choose what feels most practical for them.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of problems does Sandra help with?
Sandra helps people with family conflict, grief, self-esteem, career issues and coping with life changes. She also works with concerns linked to cancer, caregiving stress, chronic illness, HIV and workplace difficulties.
What is Sandra's approach in sessions?
She uses a narrative focus alongside client-centred and solution-focused techniques. Sessions aim to reframe stories, centre the client's goals and identify practical next steps.
How many years of experience does she have?
Sandra has eight years of professional counselling and community services experience in Australia. That background informs her practical, steady style of support.
What credentials and location are listed?
Sandra holds PACFA credentials and practices in Australia. The profile uses PACFA exactly as provided.
Which languages are supported and what about international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available online?
She works through video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging. These options let people choose what fits their day and needs.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time. Exact rates depend on the chosen plan.
How do I begin working with Sandra?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. Then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Sandra are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Sandra where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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