Charlene Tan, PACFA

Charlene Tan is a counsellor and mother of two who supports individuals and families as they work through life’s challenges toward greater wellbeing. With a Bachelor of Arts in Counselling and postgraduate clinical training in Contemporary Gestalt Therapy, she combines formal education with a relational style to help clients explore emotions, patterns and relationships in meaningful ways.

As a Clinical Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), Charlene draws on seven years of professional experience to offer practical tools and compassionate guidance. She works collaboratively to address stress and anxiety, providing techniques to manage symptoms and restore a sense of control. In addiction support she offers a non-judgemental space and ongoing assistance for people navigating recovery.

Charlene helps families process conflict and improve communication during tense periods, and she supports people through grief and loss by helping them mourn, adapt and find new meaning. She also assists clients facing life transitions - such as becoming a new parent, changing careers, shifts in family dynamics or relocating - building resilience and confidence as they adjust.

Grounded in empathy and respect, Charlene emphasises a relational approach that values openness and partnership. She aims to create a safe, accepting environment and to walk alongside clients as they take steps toward change.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Charlene brings Contemporary Gestalt Therapy to her online practice, which focuses on present-moment awareness and how thoughts, feelings and body sensations interact. This approach helps people increase self-awareness, work through unresolved experiences and make changes in how they relate to themselves and others.

She also uses a relational approach that emphasises the therapeutic relationship as a source of change. By exploring patterns in connection and communication, clients can practise new ways of relating that transfer into everyday life and improve relationships and wellbeing.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Charlene works collaboratively with each client to identify which techniques best match their needs, goals and preferences, and adapts sessions as therapy progresses to ensure the fit remains helpful.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions by video, phone, live chat or text-based messaging make it easier to access support around work, family and other commitments. These options allow people to engage from home or elsewhere, maintain continuity of care during life transitions, and choose the format that feels most comfortable for them while working with appropriately qualified or registered professionals and therapists.