About Cathie
Cathie O'Rourke helps people manage stress, anxiety, grief, parenting strains and low self-esteem. She draws on 14 years working in child and family counselling and a background in social work. Cathie writes plainly and offers practical steps for everyday problems.
Cathie practised as a social worker supporting foster carers and families for many years. Her university training includes a degree in Behavioural Science (Psychology) which feeds into how she explains feelings and behaviour.
How Cathie works
She holds AASW, the Australian Association of Social Workers credential. Her style is respectful and down-to-earth. She listens actively and aims to make sessions useful from the first meeting.
Conversations focus on coping tools, improving communication and small changes that reduce daily stress. Cathie tailors each session to the person in front of her. She asks about values, practical constraints and what matters most, then pins down achievable goals.
Sessions may include problem-solving, planning and reviewing progress. People come to Cathie for a wide range of issues, including parenting worries, attachment and adoption questions, blended family challenges, separation and family of origin concerns. She also supports those dealing with money stress, seasonal affective disorder and feelings of isolation.
Her approach suits people who want clear, practical steps alongside empathetic listening. Cathie aims to help people build resilience and make changes that last.
What Cathie works with
The areas below are the ones Cathie selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Grief
Also listed
Training and background
| Register | AASW |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 14 |
| Languages | English |
| 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 care
Cathie uses evidence-based techniques to help people understand feelings and change patterns. One common approach she draws on explains how behaviour and thoughts influence feelings; sessions use simple exercises to test new ways of responding and reduce anxiety or low mood. Another strand focuses on attachment and relationships, helping people improve communication, set boundaries and repair trust in close connections.Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Cathie will talk through options and decide collaboratively which techniques match a person’s goals, values and day-to-day realities. The plan can be adjusted as progress is reviewed so the work stays relevant and realistic.
Online therapy is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video calls let people see visual cues for richer conversations, while phone sessions need less bandwidth and can fit into a short break. Live chat and messaging suit quick check-ins or when someone prefers writing to speaking. These options aim to make therapy easier to fit around work, school and family commitments.
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Common questions
What concerns does Cathie commonly address
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How do I begin sessions with Cathie
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.
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