Vanessa Thomas, AASW

Vanessa Thomas, AASW (Australian Association of Social Workers), is a social worker who supports people navigating personal, relational and systemic challenges. She works with survivors of trauma, people living with complex mental illness and those managing everyday difficulties, bringing a person-centred and trauma-informed perspective to each interaction. Vanessa adapts her approach to the individual, drawing on techniques such as parts work, mindfulness, motivational interviewing and values-based work to suit each person’s needs.

Her practice primarily incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, somatic approaches and Reality Therapy, blending these methods to address the goals identified through a strengths-based process. Sessions are tailored to help clients build resilience, clarify values and develop practical strategies for a richer and more fulfilling life. Vanessa is based in Queensland, and people located in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory may find scheduling more difficult due to time differences. She looks forward to supporting people as they work toward meaningful change and growth.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and reconnect with what matters to them. It combines mindfulness and values work to support coping with anxiety, depression, grief and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying patterns of thinking and behaviour that contribute to distress and teaches practical skills to change those patterns, often helping with anxiety, low mood and sleep difficulties. Client-Centred Therapy emphasises empathy, acceptance and collaboration, giving clients space to explore their experience at their own pace and supporting growth through a strengths-based stance.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Vanessa will work collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals and preferences, and may blend techniques as required. Appropriately qualified or registered professionals can guide this decision and adapt methods over time.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives, maintain continuity during life changes and access support from different locations while still working with a consistent therapist.