Samara Woodford

 Hi, I’m Samara — a Level 2 Registered Counsellor and the founder of Daintree Counselling.

I provide compassionate and inclusive support to teenagers and young adults, across a range of mental health challenges.

I earned my Bachelor of Human Services (Counselling) from the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) while gaining hands-on experience in the health sector as a support worker.  That experience gave me the opportunity to work directly with neurodivergent children, teens, and adults — and deepened my passion for helping people feel seen, heard, and supported. During my counselling placements, 

I worked with the LGBTIQA+ community and in a high school setting, supporting teens with anxiety, depression, peer relationships, identity exploration, family and foster care dynamics, and neurodivergence. These experiences continue to shape my approach today.

 I support clients navigating:

• Anxiety and phobias
• Low self-esteem
• School-related stress and challenges
• Identity development and exploration
• Neurodivergence (including ADHD, autism, etc.)
• Issues related to gender, sexuality, and belonging within the LGBTIQA+ community

 While I don’t offer Medicare rebates, I do work with NDIS participants who are either self-managed or plan-managed.

I believe that you are the expert of your own life. My role is not to tell you what to do, but to be curious, compassionate, and walk beside you as we explore what meaningful change could look like for you.

My counselling approach is person-centred and flexible, drawing from a range of evidence-based therapies, including:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

I also incorporate:

• Strengths-based approaches – focusing on your resilience and resourcefulness
• Queer theory – challenging traditional ideas of identity and embracing diversity
• Systems theory – acknowledging how our environments, relationships, and communities influence who we are and how we feel.

I created Daintree Counselling to offer more accessible, flexible, and affirming mental health support — especially for teenagers and young adults who might struggle to access traditional services due to work hours, school commitments, or identity-based barriers.

My online counselling service offers greater flexibility, with later appointment times available to suit school-aged clients, shift workers, and busy adults. At the core of my work are the values of:

• Compassion
• Honesty
• Kindness
• Optimism

I truly believe that change is always possible, and that everyone deserves to feel supported and understood.

 When I’m not counselling, you’ll find me spending time with friends and family, out hiking in nature, reading a good book, making art, or watching anime. I believe in balance — and that nurturing our interests and connections is just as important as doing the inner work.

 I’m here to offer a safe, inclusive space where you can be yourself, feel heard, and take steps toward the life you want to live.    

 If you'd like to connect or learn more, feel free to contact us.