- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
About Joel
Joel McNamara is an ACA counsellor with four years' experience helping adults navigate stress, anxiety, addiction and questions about life purpose. He works with people who feel stuck after changes in work, relationships or health and who want to re-evaluate what matters next.
He describes therapy as a collaborative conversation. The client brings lived experience and Joel brings listening and practical ways to test new habits. Together they clarify a problem, identify the underlying need or want, and create steps to shift behaviour over time.
Joel uses a person-centred frame combined with approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Narrative Therapy. He also draws on attachment-informed ideas and body-based work to help regulate emotion and behaviour when people feel overwhelmed.
Sessions focus on concrete goals and everyday strategies. That can include reducing unhelpful coping behaviours, building routines that match personal values, or practising different ways of communicating. He pays attention to how thoughts, relationships and the body interact in stress and addiction.
He has experience working cross-culturally and a particular interest in supporting young adults and men's mental health. People looking for help with depression, ADHD, low self-esteem, or substance and behavioural addiction often start by exploring what a valued life looks like for them.
To begin, Joel asks people to describe where they are now and what small, realistic changes would matter most. He then works with them to test those steps and adjust as needed.
How Joel uses ACT, CBT and attachment ideas online
Joel commonly works with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and reconnect with what matters. ACT focuses on actions that reflect personal values rather than attempting to remove difficult thoughts completely.He also uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to map thought patterns and test small behaviour experiments. CBT is useful for stress, anxiety and mood problems because it turns ideas into practical steps people can try between sessions.
Attachment-informed approaches look at how relationship patterns shape safety, trust and communication. This can help when worry or anger is tied to past relationship experiences and when people want clearer ways to connect or set boundaries.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Joel will collaborate with each person to choose which methods suit their goals, values and preferences and will adjust the plan as progress is observed.
The original profile does not specify which online session formats are offered, so please confirm available options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time so people can use breaks from work or study more efficiently.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Joel help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, low self esteem, depression and ADHD, plus related issues such as relationship strain, caregiver stress and chronic illness.
How does he approach someone feeling stuck?
He uses person-centred work combined with ACT, CBT and narrative techniques to clarify values and test small behavioural changes.
How much clinical experience does he have?
Joel has four years' professional experience supporting adults with life changes, addiction and mood concerns.
What credential does Joel hold and where is he based?
He is an ACA counsellor and practises in Australia.
Can I work with him if I live outside Australia?
Sessions are offered in English and he is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats does he offer?
The original profile does not list session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.