Westlakes Counselling

Welcome to Westlakes Counselling, an esteemed institution located at 58 Main Road, Boolaroo, Australia. Established in 2014 by Emma Bullen and Jacqui Welch, Westlakes Counselling is dedicated to providing exceptional mental health services to the community.

Emma Bullen, an accredited mental health social worker, was a passionate advocate for women's rights and dedicated her career to helping women who have experienced violence. With over 40 years of combined experience, our team of clinicians at Westlakes Counselling specializes in mental health and clinical psychology.

Our clinicians, Simon Mierendorff and Jacqui Welch, are accredited and registered with AHPRA and are proud members of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA). They possess extensive postgraduate training in various therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Therapy, and Narrative Therapy.

At Westlakes Counselling, we offer evidence-based psychological therapies to adolescents and adults, addressing a wide range of presenting issues such as depression, anxiety and phobias, stress management, grief and loss, parenting, bipolar disorder, substance use issues, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, recovery from psychotic disorders, self-harm, sleep problems, postnatal issues, domestic violence, and workers compensation.

If you qualify for a referral under the Better Access to Mental Health Care Scheme, you may be entitled to receive a Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. Many clients are referred by their GP or Psychiatrist under this scheme, receiving a Mental Health Care Plan and a referral to Westlakes Counselling.

We offer appointments on weekdays and Saturdays, catering to your convenience. Our fees vary depending on the referral pathway, and some bulk billing options are available. Workcover clients with psychological injuries resulting from workplace incidents can benefit from psychological assessment and treatment, with no associated fees. Additionally, rebates are available through some Private Health Insurance Providers for self-referrals.

Simon Mierendorff, a registered clinical psychologist with AHPRA, has been an integral part of Westlakes Counselling since 2021. He holds a Master of Clinical Psychology degree and has a collaborative and strengths-based approach, tailoring support to meet individual needs. Simon works primarily with adolescents and adults, addressing various issues such as depression, anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, stress and coping, and substance use concerns, utilizing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Jacqui Welch, also a registered clinical psychologist with AHPRA, brings with her a wealth of experience from her 15 years of work in community health, mental health, and private practice settings. As a member of the Australian Clinical Psychologists Association (ACPA), Jacqui is a board-approved supervisor for students undertaking the Masters in Clinical Psychology program and psychologists completing their registrar program. She specializes in behavior change, working with bulimia and binge eating disorders, anxiety, and substance use issues. Jacqui takes a client-centered approach, primarily utilizing cognitive-behavioral therapy while incorporating other techniques tailored to individual needs.

Located in Boolaroo, Westlakes Counselling serves clients in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Warners Bay, Cardiff, Glendale, Edgeworth, Eleebana, Speers Point, Cameron Park, Elemore Vale, Charlestown, Booragul, Coal Point, Fassifern, Hillsborough, Lakelands, Toronto, Wallsend, Woodrising, Barnsley, Fennell Bay, and Eleebana.

To schedule a consultation, please call us at 02-4965-8376 or email us at counsellingwestlakes@gmail.com. Westlakes Counselling is committed to providing exceptional mental health care and supporting individuals on their journey towards wellbeing.