Mary Heneghan, PACFA

Mary Heneghan is a counsellor credentialed with PACFA, the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, and brings 10 years of professional experience to her work. She supports people facing stress, anxiety, parenting challenges, career difficulties and depression, and she works with clients navigating significant life changes. Her practice also addresses caregiver stress, chronic pain and illness, communication problems, forgiveness, loneliness, life purpose, financial worries, women's issues and workplace concerns.

Mary works from a strengths-based perspective, recognising that each person is the expert in their own story and already holds resources to move through difficult times. She aims to help clients build practical coping strategies, clarify goals and strengthen daily habits that support wellbeing. Taking the first step towards counselling can take courage, and Mary seeks to offer a warm, supportive environment that validates that decision and helps people progress at a pace that suits them.

She offers flexible options for connecting and tailors her approach to each person’s needs, preferences and circumstances, helping clients find clear, workable ways to manage current problems and pursue meaningful change.

Evidence-based approaches for online therapy

Mary uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on building practical skills and clarifying goals. One common strand of this work emphasises skills-building for managing stress and anxiety - teaching breathing and coping strategies, emotion regulation skills and problem-solving steps that can reduce day-to-day overwhelm and improve functioning.

Another strand is strengths-based, collaborative work that helps clients explore values, relationships and life purpose. This approach supports people in identifying what matters to them, setting achievable goals and using existing strengths to navigate parenting, career and health-related challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Mary works collaboratively with each person to determine the best fit based on needs, goals and preferences. Appropriately qualified or registered professionals and therapists often adjust methods over time to match what is most helpful for the client.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call or phone, and shorter check-ins can be done via live chat or text-based messaging. This makes it easier to fit counselling around work, family and other commitments, and helps people maintain continuity of care when life circumstances change.