About Berni
Berni Palings is a compassionate counsellor with PACFA credentials and 11 years of professional experience. She helps people manage relationship strain, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, addictions and life transitions. Berni listens without judgement and aims to help each person find their own answers and strengths.
Berni uses straightforward, practical conversations to work through what feels stuck. She focuses on building self‑esteem, motivation and confidence so people can take the next steps in their lives and careers.
How Berni works
Sessions are respectful and paced to each person's needs. Her practice also supports people dealing with trauma and abuse, anger, workplace difficulties, LGBT concerns and issues around adoption or foster care. Additional focus areas include ageing and caregiver stress, domestic violence, drug and alcohol problems, HIV/AIDS related concerns and loneliness.
Berni pays attention to cultural background and experiences of prejudice and discrimination. People can expect an approach that emphasises their existing strengths while addressing practical problems. Berni offers tools and gentle guidance for coping with change and making decisions.
She aims to empower clients to make lasting changes in day to day life. Sessions are available in English and Dutch and are offered to people located in Australia. Berni’s manner is warm, open and encouraging, and she invites people who are ready to take a step towards feeling better to begin the matching process.
What Berni works with
The areas below are the ones Berni selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Self esteem
Also listed
- Addictions
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Forgiveness
- HIV / AIDS
- Isolation / loneliness
- LGBT
- Life purpose
- Multicultural concerns
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Workplace issues
Training and background
| Register | PACFA |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 11 |
| Languages | English, Dutch |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | Australia |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
Therapeutic approaches and online support
Many of Berni's sessions draw on evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change and building strengths. One common approach helps people identify and use their existing strengths to tackle current problems, which suits concerns like low self‑esteem, motivation and life transitions. Another approach breaks down difficult emotions and experiences into manageable steps, helping people process grief, trauma and anxiety without becoming overwhelmed.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Berni will listen to your needs, goals and preferences and help decide which strategies to try first. This is a collaborative process that can be adapted as progress is made.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when preferred, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited, live chat provides a shorter check-in, and messaging works well for ongoing reflection between sessions. These options make it simpler to fit therapy around work, family and other commitments while still receiving regular support from an appropriately qualified therapist.
Start online instead of waiting
Our partner service asks a few questions about what you are looking for and matches you with a therapist for sessions from home.
Book with BerniWe will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.
Common questions
What concerns does Berni commonly address?
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
What kind of professional experience does she have?
What credentials and location are listed for this counsellor?
Which languages are offered and can international clients join?
In what formats are sessions delivered?
How are fees and payment structured?
What are the first steps to begin working together?
A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you. Entries are not assessed or endorsed by this directory.
Other entries for relationship
Supportive LCSW helping people build strength and clarity
Practical, trauma-aware therapy for everyday life
Practical, relational therapy for life transitions