Counselling Services & Fees

Canberra • Murrumbateman • Online

Individual Counselling (Ages 18+)

I offer individual counselling for adults aged 18 and over, in person at two locations in the Canberra region and online. My primary areas of focus are women's mental health and supporting neurodivergent adults — including people with autism, ADHD, or both.

Counselling isn't about being "fixed" or diagnosed. It's a collaborative process where we explore what's going on for you, identify what matters most, and take practical steps forward — at a pace that feels manageable.

My approach is person-centred and integrative, drawing on current evidence while staying responsive to you as a whole person.

What Counselling Can Help With

People come to counselling for many different reasons. You don't need a clear goal or a crisis to begin.

Women's Mental Health
I hold a Women's Mental Health Specialist Certificate and have specific training in the challenges that are particularly relevant to women's lives — including anxiety, burnout, perinatal wellbeing, hormonal and reproductive health, relationship patterns, identity, and the pressures many women navigate across different life stages. Learn more about women's mental health counselling →

Neurodivergent Adults (Autism & ADHD)
I work with autistic adults, people with ADHD, and those who identify as neurodivergent — including people who received a late diagnosis and are still making sense of their experience. My training in neuro-affirming practice informs an approach that genuinely values neurodivergent ways of being, rather than treating them as problems to fix. Learn more about neurodivergent-affirming counselling →

Cultural Identity & Belonging
I work with people navigating cultural identity, intergenerational expectations, migration, and the experience of belonging across cultures — including third culture adults, migrants, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Sessions are available in English or Malay. The aim is to create a space where you don't need to translate yourself to be understood.

General Individual Counselling
While women's mental health and neurodiversity are my specialist areas, I also work with adults experiencing:

If you're unsure whether what you're experiencing is a good fit, feel free to get in touch and we can talk it through.

How I Work

My work is grounded in a person-centred, trauma-informed, and neuro-affirming approach.

This means I aim to create a space that feels:

Therapeutically, I draw on CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy), and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) — adapting these to suit you rather than applying them rigidly. Sessions may involve talking things through, noticing patterns, building self-understanding, and developing practical strategies. When words are hard to find, we can work in more flexible and creative ways.

I'm also trained in crisis support, suicide intervention, and domestic and family violence response (LivingWorks, Mental Health First Aid, Lifeline-accredited training). Where someone needs more acute support, I work alongside their GP, psychiatrist, or crisis services so the right care is in place at the right time.

I work within my scope of practice and engage in regular ACA-compliant clinical supervision and ongoing professional development focused on my specialist areas.

Counselling room in Denman Prospect, Canberra — Riverstone Counselling with Salihan Laugesen, ACA Registered Counsellor
Canberra counselling room, Denman Prospect

Session Formats & Locations

Session length
Most appointments are 60 minutes, with some flexibility where appropriate.

Operating hours
Monday: 9:00am – 6:00pm (Canberra)
Wednesday: 9:00am – 5:00pm (Murrumbateman)
Saturday: 9:00am – 2:00pm (Canberra)

Online sessions are also available on any of these days.

Locations

Referrals & Fees

Referrals
No referral is required.

Fees
Fees vary by session length, with most appointments lasting 60 minutes.

Private health rebates
GU Health and BUPA rebates may be available (eligibility varies by policy). If you're unsure, you're welcome to check with your insurer before booking.

NDIS
If you're self-managed or plan-managed, you may be able to use your NDIS funding for counselling, depending on what's included in your plan and goals. Support is often funded under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living. If you're not sure what your plan includes, check with your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager, or contact me and we can talk it through.

If you have questions about fees, availability, or whether counselling with me is a good fit, you're welcome to get in touch.

If you're considering counselling, you're welcome to reach out or book a session when it feels right for you.

Get in Touch