Counsellor Cairns | Counselling with Tara J Clarke in Palm Cove, Cairns Northern Beaches

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If you are searching for a counsellor in Cairns, you may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, emotionally exhausted, or unsure of what to do next.

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You don’t need to have the right words yet, and you don’t need to figure everything out on your own.

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You just need a safe, grounded space where you can talk things through and feel genuinely heard.

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My name is Tara J Clarke, a counsellor in Cairns based in Palm Cove (Northern Beaches) offering holistic counselling for adults across Cairns and online throughout Australia.

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I support people who want to understand themselves more deeply, work through emotional pain, reduce overwhelm, and feel more steady, clear, and connected in their lives.

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COUNSELLOR CAIRNS |

ABOUT MY APPROACH

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My counselling approach is gentle, grounded, holistic and real.

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I don’t label you, diagnose you, or try to “fix” you.

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As a counsellor Cairns locals or those holidaying in Palm Cove can access counselling with Tara in her healing room in Palm Cove or online, I focus on helping you:

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• Understand what you are feeling and why

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• Work through emotional patterns and past experiences

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• Build clarity, resilience, and self-awareness

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• Move forward at a pace that feels safe for you

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This is a collaborative process where you are always in control of your direction.

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🌱 WHAT COUNSELLING MEANS​

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My approach is a holistic approach. This means that I look at the whole person, not just one issue. I tend to ask you about your spiritual beliefs and if you have none, we will not look at that part and focus on mostly the mental, emotional and physical. However if you are open to spirituality we can also take a holistic and integrated approach to your counselling. 

 

If you would like to better understand what counselling is and how it works, you can learn more in my article:

 

What is Counselling? Learn more

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A typical counselling session with Tara includes:

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• Thoughts and emotions

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• Life experiences and relationships

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• Behavioural patterns

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• Stress responses and nervous system regulation

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• Personal meaning and values including spiritual values (but only if you are open to that)

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As part of counselling in Cairns (Palm Cove at Cairns Northern Beaches), sessions may include:

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• Talk therapy and emotional processing

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• Practical coping tools

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• Reflective work and insight-building

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• Mindfulness-based strategies

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If appropriate and always with your consent, I may also integrate:

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• Guided visualisation

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• Inner exploration techniques

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• Hypnotherapy-informed methods

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Everything is tailored to your needs and comfort level.

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Choosing the Right Counsellor: What to Expect​

First session is free (Induction session – 30 minutes)

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We invite everyone to attend a complimentary 30-minute induction session to determine if our counselling services are a good fit for you. Should you choose to proceed with ongoing counselling, you may then book a full 50 minute session at our standard rates.

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If you have a specific concern that requires more than 30 minutes with Tara J Clarke, you have the option to upgrade your booking to a 1-hour induction counselling session. In this case, the initial 30 minutes are provided free of charge, and you will only be billed for the additional 30 minutes at the conclusion of the session.

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This arrangement allows for a more relaxed and thorough consultation, ensuring you have ample time to discuss your needs without feeling rushed.

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It is important to choose a counsellor with recognised professional credentials such as the Australian Counselling Association membership. At Signs of Abundance, Tara J Clarke is a professional member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

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As part of ACA membership requirements, Tara maintains ongoing professional development, regular clinical supervision, and adherence to the ACA Code of Ethics and Practice Standards, ensuring counselling is delivered safely, ethically, and to nationally recognised professional standards.

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This includes ongoing reflection on practice, maintaining client confidentiality, and engaging in continuous learning to support best-practice client care.

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You can learn more about her credentials here:

https://theaca.net.au/profile?UserKey=024bb5d8-6f89-44a0-891f-019ef90a4cb2

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You can view the ACA Code of Ethics and Practice Standards here

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Your first counselling session is designed to help you feel comfortable and supported.

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At Signs of Abundance, I will:

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• Explore what has brought you to counselling

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• Discuss how I work as your counsellor

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• Go through consent and intake information

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This first session is an induction session and is offered for free and is 30 minutes in duration, provided you complete the counselling intake form and complete it prior to the start of your session, as part of the process, so that the session can run smoothly at 30 minutes.

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Ongoing counselling sessions

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• After the intake session, a counselling session in Cairns Northern Beaches (Palm Cove) or online via Microsoft Teams Video chat with Tara J Clarke is 50 minutes in duration

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• Available in person in Cairns Northern Beaches or online

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• Focused on your goals, emotional wellbeing, and progress

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Having experienced personal challenges myself, I understand how important it is for counselling to feel accessible and within reach for everyday people. My intention is to offer supportive, professional counselling at a fee that is more affordable for a wider range of individuals, so that more people have the opportunity to access support when they need it.​

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Most clients attending counselling in Cairns work through issues in 8 to 10 sessions, although this varies for each person.

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There is no pressure to continue longer than you need.

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AREAS I SUPPORT AS A COUNSELLOR CAIRNS

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People come to counselling for many reasons, including:

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• Anxiety, stress, and overwhelm

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• Depression and low mood

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• Trauma and unresolved past experiences

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• Grief and loss (including pet loss which is completely normal and common to grieve your pet)

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• Self-worth and confidence issues

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• Feeling stuck or emotionally lost

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• Life transitions and identity changes

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• Breaking habits and behavioural patterns

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For anxiety counselling or stress, and overwhelm — you can also learn more about counselling for anxiety here.

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For trauma counselling and unresolved past experiences — learn more about trauma counselling and emotional healing here.

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Grief and loss (including pet loss) — learn more about grief and loss counselling here.

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You do not need to fit into a category. If something is affecting your wellbeing, counselling can help.

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HOW COUNSELLING SESSIONS FEEL

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Counselling provides a calm, private space where you can:

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• Speak freely without judgement

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• Slow down and make sense of your experience

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• Understand emotional patterns

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• Feel supported rather than overwhelmed

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Over time, many people notice:

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• Greater emotional clarity

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• Reduced anxiety and stress

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• Stronger self-understanding

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• Increased stability and confidence

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LOCATION – COUNSELLOR CAIRNS Northern Beaches at PALM COVE

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Sessions are available:

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In person counselling in Cairns

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If you are not sure about whether to have counselling over the internet online or in person with Tara in Cairns, you can also learn more about the differences between online and in-person counselling sessions here.

 

Palm Cove (Northern Beaches, Cairns QLD)

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Book your first counselling session with Tara at Palm Cove, Cairns Beaches and receive a discount. Book, availability and Rates 

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Online counselling​

 

Via Zoom or Microsoft Teams (Australia-wide)

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You will always work directly with me.

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Book your first online counselling session with Tara and receive a discount. Book, availability and Rates

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FEES​

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• Standard counselling session (50 min): $99 AUD. 

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• Students, Children, Adolescents (19 or younger) and Pensioners: $79 AUD for a 50-minute session 

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• Available to a limited amount of clients each month: Sliding scale for those going through severe financial hardship. Contact Tara for this rate which is only available to those in severe financial hardship and due to burnout, Tara can only offer this rate to a few clients per month. 

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• First Intake session 30 minutes: FREE provided you complete and send in your intake form which will be emailed once you book and can easily be completed online through the private and confidential Halaxy booking system. 

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This allows you to experience counselling before committing long-term.​​​

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WHEN YOU’RE READY FOR COUNSELLING ​

 

If you are looking for a counsellor in Cairns, support does not need to wait until things get worse.

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You can begin exactly where you are now.

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🌿 LEARN MORE ABOUT COUNSELLING

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If you would like to learn more about counselling, emotional wellbeing, anxiety support, trauma healing, grief support, and online counselling, you may find these articles helpful:

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• What is Counselling?

• Counselling for Anxiety in Cairns

• Counselling for Trauma & Emotional Healing

• Grief & Loss Counselling

• Counselling Sessions – Online & In-Person in Palm Cove, Cairns

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These articles are designed to help you better understand the counselling process, emotional healing, and available support options.

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❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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What does a counsellor do?​

 

A counsellor in Cairns provides emotional support to help you work through stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship issues, and life challenges in a safe and confidential space.

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How do I find a good counsellor ?​

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Look for someone who offers a supportive, non-judgemental approach, relevant experience, professional training, and a style that feels comfortable for your goals.

 

Many people choose a counsellor based on trust and connection, as feeling safe and understood is an important part of the counselling process.

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It can also be helpful to check with the counsellor as to whether they are a member of a recognised professional association such as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), as these organisations have ethical guidelines and professional standards their members are expected to follow.

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You may also wish to consider:

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• Their areas of interest or experience

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• Whether they offer in-person or online sessions. You can find out more about how to choose what's right for you (online vs in-person) here

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• Availability and fees (See Tara's availability and fees) online here or in-person here

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• Whether their approach aligns with what you are looking for as there are many different approaches to counselling. Learn more about the different approaches to counselling that Tara J Clarke at Signs of Abundance may use and why here

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Most importantly, choose someone you feel comfortable speaking with openly and honestly.

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Do I need counselling or am I just stressed?​

 

Counselling can help whether you are overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, or simply wanting clarity and emotional support. You do not need to be in crisis.

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What happens in the first counselling session?​

 

Your first session involves discussing what brings you to counselling, exploring your goals, and beginning gentle therapeutic work at a comfortable pace.

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Is counselling in Cairns confidential?​

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Yes. Counselling is confidential under Australian ethical and legal guidelines, with exceptions only where there is serious risk of harm or legal obligation.

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How many counselling sessions will I need?

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This varies. Some people attend 8 to 10 sessions for a specific issue, while others continue longer for deeper personal support.

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Do you offer online counselling in Cairns?

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Yes. Online counselling is available via Zoom or Teams for clients across Cairns and Australia.

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Can counselling help with anxiety and trauma?

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Yes. Counselling can help you understand triggers, regulate emotions, process trauma, and develop coping strategies.

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What is holistic counselling in Cairns?​​

 

Holistic counselling looks at the whole person — spiritual, emotional, mental and physical wellbeing — rather than focusing only on a particular symptom or issue. Tara’s approach recognises that these different aspects of our lives can influence one another and may all play a role in your overall wellbeing.

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Spirituality is included only if it is meaningful to you. If you have spiritual beliefs or a spiritual perspective, this may be gently incorporated into your counselling journey. If spirituality is not part of your beliefs or personal worldview, it will not be a focus of your counselling. Your sessions are tailored to you, your values and what feels appropriate for your individual journey.

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Can I change or cancel appointments?

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Yes — I understand that life happens and sometimes you may need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, even at short notice due to illness or unexpected circumstances.

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If you are unwell or unable to attend, you are welcome to reschedule your session without issue.

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To maintain fairness and ensure appointment availability for all clients, I do ask for reasonable notice where possible.

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If late cancellations or missed appointments occur more than twice, the full session fee may be charged.

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This helps support consistency in your own counselling process and allows me to continue offering reliable appointment times to all clients.

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Thank you for your understanding. To book a session, follow the prompts below and you will be guided to the booking pages. If you are not quite sure which direction to take and would like to speak directly to Tara, you may arrange a free callback on the details below. 

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