SERVICES

Individual, Couple, and Family Counselling Delivered Online or In-person
An Expert Psychotherapist for Adults and Adolescents from 12 years and older.

MENTAL HEALTH FOCUS AREAS

Here at ElmarieBekkerCounselling, Elmarie supports the following mental health challenges: anxiety and depression, relationship issues, marital/couple issues, family issues, life transitions, identity concerns, neurodiversity, trauma, and grief and loss.

As a registered counsellor with ACA, Elmarie provides a safe, confidential therapeutic space that respects the complexity of all lived experiences. Whether an individual, couple, or family, she helps clients to explore patterns, process emotional pain, and develop practical strategies for meaningful, lasting change. As a professional psychotherapist, she focuses on delivering evidence-based psychotherapy to adolescents and adults (from 12 years and older) to support sustainable mental well-being.

If you are considering counselling, Elmarie invites you to schedule a complimentary 15-minute discovery session by completing the Book a Consultation form and taking the first brave step towards supportive mental health and well-being. Learn more about my location and services through the following links.

View More Services BOOK A CONSULTATION

TYPES OF PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC SERVICES

  • Individual Therapy

    Individual therapy provides structured, one-to-one mental health counselling and support tailored to your personal goals, capacity, and momentum. Aimed at deepening self-understanding, it develops sustainable coping strategies that will support long-term emotional well-being. Counselling sessions can be attended in-person in Turner, Canberra, or online via a secure video platform, allowing flexibility around work, study, or family commitments. Elmarie collaborates with people of all ages from 12 years plus, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, and faith groups.

  • Couple and Family Counselling

    Couple and family work focuses on strengthening communication, rebuilding trust, and improving emotional safety within relationships. Whether engaging in structured marriage/couple counselling or broader family support, counselling provides a safe space for individuals to voice their needs and develop healthier long-term communication patterns.

  • Trauma and Grief Counselling

    Trauma counselling addresses how past experiences continue to shape present reactions, behaviours, and emotional responses. Elmarie provides trauma-informed mental health counselling from her private practice in Canberra that focuses on nervous system regulation, rebuilding resilience, restoring a sense of control, and improving mental wellbeing.

    Grief and loss can be overwhelming and deeply isolating. It can affect sleep, relationships, motivation, and daily functioning. Elmarie supports clients to process bereavement, anticipatory grief, and complex grief reactions at a client’s own pace. Grief counselling sessions focus on emotional expression, meaning-making, and the development of practical coping strategies to navigate and honour life after loss.

  • Creative Therapies Counselling

    Sometimes we do not have the words to verbalize feelings or thoughts. Elmarie uses creative ways of expression like art, poetry, dance, movement, and music as psychotherapeutic techniques to help clients gain deeper insight and develop alternative coping ways for challenging situations.

View More Services

Why Choose Elmarie Bekker Counselling?

Confidential
and
Safe Refuge

Person-centred
Own story,
Own voice!

Evidence-based
Therapeutic
approach

Counsellor Qualifications:
BA (Social Work),
Master of Counselling

Book A Consultation

Therapeutic Approach:

Elmarie’s work as a psychotherapist is grounded in person-centred practice and integrative Family and System theory. As a clinician with a BA (Social Work) and a Master of Counselling qualification, she approaches therapy with warmth, respect, and collaboration. Drawing on Family and System theory, Schema Therapy, attachment-informed care, and a variety of structured interventions, her work in mental health psychotherapy and counselling supports clients in exploring patterns that influence behaviour, relationships, and emotional responses.

This evidence-based, integrative approach strengthens the effectiveness of her mental health counselling in Canberra, ensuring therapy remains responsive to each person’s lived experience. Through carefully paced dialogue and evidence-informed strategies, clients engage in meaningful counselling for mental wellbeing, developing practical tools to navigate life’s complexities with greater clarity and resilience. If you have any questions or would like to arrange an appointment, please get in touch with Elmarie today.

Book A Consultation

Introducing
Elmarie ...

As a qualified counsellor with a Master of Counselling and a background in social work, Elmarie operates ElmarieBekkerCounselling from the premises of her counselling offices, North Canberra Counselling, in Turner, Canberra. Elmarie helps individuals, couples, and families aged 12 years and older to understand and navigate challenges that impact their well-being and quality of life.

Elmarie is a fully registered member of the Australian Counsellors’ Association (ACA), reflecting her dedication to professional standards and ethical counselling practice, as well as continuous education and training to enhance her professional skill set.

Elmarie brings not only fifteen years of diverse social work experience working with children and families in community and medical settings, but also a wealth of life experiences. She has embraced numerous roles as wife, mother, daughter, friend, family member, manager, migrant, student, neurodivergent individual, artist, and counsellor. Priding herself on being an authentic counsellor, Elmarie discloses her personal Christian faith. Professionally, she welcomes and respects clients from all faith denominations.

Learn More About Elmarie

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY ...

“I came to see Elmarie during a very difficult season of my life – from the start she made me feel so comfortable in her compassionate and empathetic approach. I have truly looked forward to each session, as it has felt so healing for me. Highly recommend!”

Sophie
– 30/10/2025

“Elmarie was recommended by another counsellor whose books were closed. After the very first session I felt heard, validated and very safe, especially after my emotional breakdown in her office. Elmarie offered, over several weeks, proven scientific strategies, exercises, encouraging words and a soft, gentle approach to my brokenness. I have now been restored to my capable self, armed with strategies to keep me on track. I am extremely grateful and thankful to Elmarie for my restoration.”

Lucy
– 02/11/2025

“My husband and I were seeking help to navigate a deeply distressing family trauma, affecting our mental health. We found Elmarie and are so grateful for quickly developing a strong connection with her. Elmarie offered us a safe and respectful space where we were able to open up and share our deep hurt and pain. Elmarie is a warm, compassionate, empathetic, and trustworthy professional. Through Elmarie’s counselling, my husband and I have been able to move forward and feel happiness again. We would have no hesitation in recommending Elmarie Bekker Counselling. Regards kind,”

Kate & Mark
– 22/10/2025

Frequently Asked
Question

More Questions?

Counselling is a type of talk therapy that promotes mental health, well-being and self-understanding. No formal diagnosis or mental health condition is needed to benefit from counselling.

Counselling focuses on understanding the client’s life story from their perspective. It is a collaborative process of exploring the client’s issues and experiences, acknowledging the client as the primary source of intimate knowledge about their life. The process is person-centred, confidential and non-judgemental. Whether it is a one-off session or long-term psychotherapy, I will listen with empathy and respect to facilitate change.

Psychiatrist – A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialised in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. They can diagnose illnesses or disorders according to the DSM-5R and prescribe medications.

Psychologist – In Australia, most clinical psychologists diagnose and treat mental health conditions with psychotherapy. They are not medical doctors and do not prescribe medication, but have studied the human mind, mental health disorders, and the best treatment plans for several years at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. They generally work within the ‘medical model’ of mental health care and will be able to diagnose a client’s behaviour according to the DSM-5R.

Counsellor and Psychotherapist Counsellors and psychotherapists work holistically on a person’s mental wellbeing. It means examining the person within their system, considering how their feelings, thoughts, behaviours, and experiences have shaped their state of wellbeing and how this, in turn, affects their contentment with life.

It is advisable to look for counsellors and psychotherapists who are registered with the accrediting bodies such as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). Practitioners must have appropriate education and training to be members of the accrediting bodies and must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics. Elmarie is a registered member of ACA.

No referrals are needed. Counselling does not presently fall under Medicare-rebated mental health plans yet, and therefore no doctor’s referral is required. Despite no Medicare rebate, counselling is a cost-effective mental health service due to overall lower fees.

My current individual session fee is $140, and sessions are 50-60 minutes long. For Couple counselling and Family counselling, the current session rate is $200 per session (regardless of the number of people attending) and is usually 90 minutes long. If individual sessions for members of the couple or family are necessary, the fee is currently $175.

I offer Brief Therapy sessions to clients who have been on the waiting lists for mental health services for an extended period of time. (To learn more, click on the Brief Therapy link, here). My current Brief Therapy session fee is $200. Sessions are approximately 75-90 minutes long.

For more information about the costs of other services I offer, please enquire using the contact form.

RESOURCES

Our Blog

How to Prepare for Your Brief Therapy Counselling Session?

Summary: There are many ways to prepare for your brief therapy. Reflect on what brings you to therapy and write…

READ Blog

Articles

What brings couples to the counsellor’s couch?

One of the major reasons for couple relationship breakdown is the lack of having a unified couple identity, a ‘we-ness’.…

READ Article

POLICIES

Please read the Cancellation Policy and the Privacy Policy of Elmarie Bekker Counselling by clicking on the Read Policies-button. These policies guide service delivery and are an important tool to manage the therapeutic alliance.

READ Policies

Make an Enquiry

    Services ENQUIRY