Susan Mahachi, ACA
Gently reframe your story and move forward
Details
| Name | Susan Mahachi |
|---|---|
| Credentials | ACA |
| Based in | Australia |
| Registered with | ACA |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English, Shona |
| Years in practice | 16 |
About Susan
Susan Mahachi is an ACA counsellor with 16 years of experience who uses a narrative-informed approach to help people make sense of difficult moments. She focuses on everyday struggles like stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, parenting strain and relationship tension. Her plain, steady style aims to make the first step feel do-able for worried parents and busy people.
Susan frames problems as stories that can be noticed and changed. She listens for patterns linked to attachment, abandonment or family of origin issues and helps people name how those patterns affect mood and relationships.
Background and approach
Sessions include simple, practical strategies drawn from cognitive behavioural ideas and mindfulness to ease day-to-day pressure. She also supports people facing separation, blended family challenges and caregiving stress. Conversations cover communication problems, control issues and feelings of emptiness without jargon.
The work often includes sharpening emotional awareness and practising new ways of relating to others and to oneself. Susan adapts her style to each person using client-centred principles so people feel heard and respected. She brings acceptance and commitment ideas to help clients clarify values and take small steps that match those values.
Sessions are offered in English and Shona and are available online through video calls, phone, live chat or text-based messaging. The subscription model means sessions can be cancelled at any time and scheduling is arranged after completing a short matching questionnaire.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Parenting issues among the things Susan works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Abandonment
- Attachment issues
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Immigration issues
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Susan among the ways she works.
- Attachment-Based Therapy: Listed by Susan among the ways she works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Susan among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Susan among the ways she works.
- Gottman Method: Listed by Susan among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Susan among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Susan among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Susan among the ways she works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Susan among the ways she works.
- Internal Family Systems: Listed by Susan among the ways she works.
- Systemic Therapy: Listed by Susan among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Susan 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 Susan directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How narrative and ACT work in online counselling
Online therapy with Susan commonly draws on Narrative Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Narrative Therapy helps people notice the stories they tell about themselves, the family, and past hurts, then look for alternative stories that feel more helpful. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) works on clarifying values and taking small, values-driven steps while learning to be present with hard feelings.Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work collaboratively to test what feels useful, mixing narrative techniques, ACT ideas and client-centred listening to match a person's needs and goals. Decisions about method and pace are made together so the work fits personal preferences and circumstances.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video calls are useful when visual cues help the conversation. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging suit quick reflections, brief check-ins and people who prefer writing. These options make therapy more flexible for busy parents and people juggling work and family commitments.
Common questions about this listing
What concerns does she help with?
Susan works with stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression and relationship issues. She also addresses parenting challenges and related family-of-origin or attachment themes.
How does she approach therapy?
Her work is narrative-informed and client-centred, using storytelling to examine patterns. She combines this with ACT and CBT ideas and mindfulness to build practical coping skills.
What is her professional background?
She has 16 years of experience supporting people with a wide range of concerns, including separation, blended family issues and caregiving stress.
Where is she based and what credential does she hold?
She practises from Australia and is listed with the Australian Counselling Association, shown as ACA.
Which languages can sessions be held in?
Sessions are offered in English and Shona.
What formats are available for sessions?
Sessions are available by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different schedules and preferences.
How does the cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working together?
Choose the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Susan 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 Susan where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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