Counsellor profile
Berni Palings, PACFA
Australia
PACFA counsellor - Anger and relationships
Continue with BerniKey details
- CredentialsPACFA
- RegistrationPACFA, Australia / 26610
- Experience11 years
- LanguagesEnglish, Dutch
- LocationAustralia
About
- Relationship issues
- Anger concerns
- Grief and loss
About Berni
Berni Palings is a PACFA counsellor in Australia with 11 years of professional experience. She works with people who are managing relationship strain, grief and loss, trauma, low self esteem, career difficulties, stress and anxiety. Anger and addiction concerns are also part of her caseload, along with depression and questions about life purpose.
Berni uses practical, evidence-based therapeutic techniques to help people get clearer about what they want to change. Sessions focus on identifying strengths people already have and on straightforward strategies to reduce reactivity and improve day-to-day functioning. Conversations are plain and direct, with an emphasis on what someone can try between sessions.
Her work also covers adoption and foster care matters, caregiver stress, ageing and geriatric issues, and the aftermath of sexual assault and abuse. She supports people facing prejudice, discrimination and multicultural challenges, as well as those living with HIV and AIDS. Workplace stress, forgiveness and isolation are included among the topics she helps people address.
People who speak English or Dutch can work with her. Berni frames therapy as a collaborative effort: she listens, offers tools drawn from evidence-based approaches, and reviews progress together. She asks people to test small changes, notice what shifts, and adjust plans as needed.
To begin, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial session. Fees vary by location and sessions are delivered through a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How sessions work
Approaches used and online session practicalities
Evidence-based techniques are used to help people manage anger and related issues. One common approach emphasises practical skills for regulating strong emotions - it teaches breathing, grounding and short behavioural strategies to lower reactivity and improve decision-making. This helps with sudden outbursts and day-to-day irritability. Another approach focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing alternative thoughts and behaviours. That method supports shifts in self esteem, workplace stress and repetitive anger cycles.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods match their goals and preferences. Sessions include reviewing what works, adjusting techniques, and planning small experiments to try between meetings.
Session formats are not specified in the original biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions around work and family commitments, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also makes it straightforward to continue work while relocating within Australia, provided the therapist and client agree on the practical arrangements.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Experience
11+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English, Dutch
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of anger-related concerns does she help with?
She supports people managing snapping at loved ones, building resentment, workplace frustration and the effects of other people's anger. Anger is listed among her core concerns.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her approach is practical and evidence-based, focusing on clear strategies and tools people can use between sessions. Conversations aim to be straightforward and collaborative.
How much experience does she have?
Berni has 11 years of professional experience working with relationship strain, trauma, grief, depression and related concerns.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is credentialed with PACFA and practises in Australia.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and Dutch.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees and payments handled?
Fees vary by location. Sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I start a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your initial session.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A registration can be checked with the body that issued it.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is unsafe, use the crisis numbers.