Looking Up

Counselling and support for neurodivergent people, people with disability and chronic conditions, people affected by alcohol and substance use, and the families who support them.

Neurodiversity-affirming counselling | Disability | NDIS | Chronic illness | Parenting | Family support | Trauma | Alcohol and substance use | Life challenges

Life doesn't always go according to plan.

Sometimes you feel overwhelmed, stuck, exhausted or unsure about what to do next. Sometimes you're supporting a child, teenager or family member and finding that the usual advice just doesn't seem to work.

At Looking Up, we provide practical, compassionate and individualised counselling and support for children, teenagers, adults and families navigating neurodivergence, disability, relationships, parenting, trauma, chronic illness, alcohol and substance use, and challenging life circumstances.

You don't have to work it all out on your own.

Support that starts with understanding you

We don't believe there is one right way to think, feel, communicate or live.

Our approach is person-centred, strengths-based and neurodiversity-affirming. We take the time to understand your experiences, your strengths, your goals and what is making life difficult right now.

Rather than trying to make you fit a particular model, we work with you to find strategies and supports that make sense for your life.

We can support you with:

Neurodivergence
Autism, ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence, including understanding yourself, managing overwhelm, relationships, emotional regulation and navigating everyday life.

Disability and chronic illness
Support with adjustment, confidence, self-advocacy, independence, relationships and the emotional impact of living with disability or chronic condition.

NDIS & capacity building
Support aimed at developing skills, independence, participation, self-advocacy and emotional wellbeing.

Parenting
Practical support for parents navigating behaviour, emotional regulation, disability, neurodivergence, family stress and the challenges of raising children.

Children & teenagers
Age-appropriate support for anxiety, emotional regulation, relationships, confidence, life changes, social difficulties and other challenges.

Trauma & difficult experiences
Support to understand and work through experiences that continue to affect your emotional wellbeing, relationships or everyday life.

Family & relationships
Support when communication, conflict, changing family circumstances or other difficulties are affecting relationships.

Alcohol and substance use
Recovery oriented and harm reduction support to promote physical, social and emotional wellbeing.

Neurodiversity-affirming support

You don't need to be "fixed".

Being autistic, having ADHD or being otherwise neurodivergent is part of who you are. Our role isn't to make you appear more "typical".

Instead, we focus on understanding what works for you.

Looking Up provides neurodiversity-affirming support that can help with:

• understanding your neurodivergent presentation

• emotional regulation

• anxiety and overwhelm

• communication and relationships

• self-esteem and confidence

• self-advocacy

• navigating change and transitions

• parenting a neurodivergent child

• understanding behaviour

• developing practical strategies for everyday life

• supporting families to better understand neurodivergence

For parents who are doing their best

Parenting can be hard. Parenting a child with additional needs can be even harder.

You might be exhausted from constantly advocating for your child.

You might be struggling to understand their behaviour.

You might feel like you've tried everything.

You might feel isolated and alone.

Or you may simply want someone who understands what life is actually like for your family.

Looking Up provides practical and non-judgemental support for parents and carers navigating:

• autism and ADHD

• intellectual disability

• developmental differences

• challenging behaviour

• emotional regulation

• school difficulties

• sibling relationships

• family stress

• parenting confidence

• separation and family change

• disability-related challenges

• advocacy and navigating services

We don't expect parents to have all the answers.

We're here to help you work out what might help next.

NDIS support

Supporting people to build skills, independence and participation.

Looking Up provides supports for eligible NDIS participants where our services align with their plan and goals.

Our support may include:

• capacity building

• developing emotional regulation skills

• building confidence and independence

• social and communication skills

• self-advocacy

• community participation

• understanding disability and neurodivergence

• parenting and family support

• key worker-style support

• advocacy and navigating systems

We work collaboratively with participants, families and relevant support networks to identify practical goals and strategies

Not sure whether your NDIS plan can be used for the support you're looking for? Contact us and we can discuss your circumstances and explain what we may be able to provide.

Counselling that works around you

Support doesn't always have to happen in a counselling room.

We understand that getting to an appointment isn't always easy.

Depending on your circumstances and location, Looking Up may offer:

Face-to-face counselling

A safe and comfortable environment where you can meet with your counsellor in person.

Mobile counselling

Where appropriate, we can provide support in the community or another agreed location.

Telehealth

Access support from home through secure online appointments.

Our goal is to make support accessible, practical and responsive to your circumstances.

What counselling can help with

You don't need to have a diagnosis, or even know exactly what's wrong, to ask for help.

Counselling may help when you're experiencing:

• anxiety

• stress and overwhelm

• emotional regulation difficulties

• low confidence or self-esteem

• relationship difficulties

• family conflict

• parenting challenges

• grief and loss

• trauma

• major life changes

• disability and illness related adjustment

• neurodivergent-related challenges

• difficulties at school or work

• social difficulties

• burnout

• feeling stuck or unsure what to do next

Sometimes the first step is simply having someone listen and help you make sense of what's happening.

Our approach

Practical. Respectful. Individualised.

At Looking Up, we recognise that every person is different.

Our individualised counselling approaches may draw on evidence-informed therapeutic frameworks including:

• strengths-based practice

• solution-focused therapy

• cognitive behavioural approaches

• eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing

• motivational interviewing

• trauma-informed practice

• neurodiversity-affirming practice

• relationship-based approaches

• other therapeutic approaches matched to the individual

We don't believe therapy should be about putting you into a box.

We start with you.

Why Looking Up?

We see the whole person

Your challenges don't exist in isolation. We consider your relationships, family, environment, strengths and circumstances.

We are neurodiversity affirming

We recognise difference rather than viewing neurodivergence as something that needs to be "fixed".

We focus on practical change

Counselling isn't just about talking. Where appropriate, we work towards practical strategies that can make everyday life easier.

We understand disability

We recognise the additional challenges that disability can create for individuals and families.

We work with families

Sometimes supporting one person means supporting the people around them too.

We offer flexible options

Face-to-face, mobile and telehealth options may make support more accessible.

Meet the people behind Looking Up

Real people. Real experience. Genuine support.

Choosing a counsellor is personal.

That's why we want you to know who you are trusting with your story.

Our team includes qualified counselling, social work, and early childhood professionals.

We have significant experience supporting children, teenagers, adults and families experiencing a range of personal, emotional, developmental and disability-related challenges.

What happens when you contact us?

Getting started is simple.

1. Make an enquiry

Tell us a little about what you're looking for and who you're seeking support for.

2. We'll talk with you

We'll discuss your needs, explain what we offer and determine whether Looking Up is the right service for you.

3. Choose an appointment

Where available, we'll discuss face-to-face, mobile or telehealth options.

4. Start working towards your goals

Your support will be tailored to your needs, strengths and priorities.

You don't need to know exactly what you need before contacting us.

If you're unsure, that's okay.

We'll help you work it out.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a referral?

No referral may be required for many of our services. Contact us to discuss your circumstances.

Do you support children?

Yes. We provide support for children and teenagers, with the approach adapted to their age, developmental level and individual needs.

Do you support autistic people and people with ADHD?

Yes. Neurodiversity-affirming practice is an important part of our approach.

Can you support people with intellectual disability?

Yes. We can adapt communication, therapeutic approaches and support to the person's developmental and communication needs.

Do you provide NDIS support?

We provide selected supports for eligible NDIS participants. The type of support available will depend on the participant's plan, goals and circumstances.

Do you offer telehealth?

Yes, where appropriate.

Do you provide mobile counselling?

Mobile counselling may be available depending on location, client needs and clinician availability.

How much does counselling cost?

Our current fees and appointment information are available here.

VIEW FEES

You don't have to figure everything out today.

Whether you're looking for support for yourself, your child, your family or someone you care about, taking the first step can feel difficult.

You don't need to have the right words.

You don't need to know exactly what kind of counselling you need.

Just start the conversation.

Looking Up can help you work out what comes next.