About Us

Awakened Counselling provides a safe, comfortable and non-judgemental counselling space to support people from all walks of life.

When you make the decision to seek counselling, you’re choosing to invest in yourself and your own wellbeing.  You’re creating an opportunity to be heard, understood and accepted on a deep level.  And it’s from this place that positive change and healing can occur. Regardless of your age or stage of life, gender, beliefs or orientation, my person-centred approach means that we work collaboratively to understand your needs and tailor our counselling sessions to best support you.

For some people, counselling might form an intensive part of their healing journey, working through significant life challenges or trauma.  For others, it might be an invaluable support as they navigate changes and transitions.  Or it might simply be a safe place to vent when it feels like it’s all too much. While there are many reasons to seek counselling, some common challenges include:

• Communication & Relationships

• Navigating alternative relationships (ENM, Poly, Open)

• Gender identity and/or sexuality

• Life transitions

• Anxiety and/or depression

• Stress and trauma

• Grief and loss

• Self-esteem and confidence

• Work and career

Regardless of what brings you to counselling, you will be welcomed into a safe, supportive and understanding space, that not only accepts but celebrates who you are and your unique strengths. And together, we can work to help you reach your goals.

Belinda Franklin

Through my own life experiences and travels, I’ve been lucky enough to meet and learn from people from many different backgrounds, cultures and orientations.  

I’ve also had the opportunity to experience the benefits of counselling first-hand, and I soon discovered that, regardless of who we are or where we come from, we really just want to be accepted and heard.  But in our busy lives, that’s often times easier said than done.

After living overseas, I returned to Australia spending 10 years working in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and women’s shelters. I settled in Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, where I received my Counselling qualification from the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC), specialising in abuse and grief and loss and with a particular interest in supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. Awakened Counselling was born.