Cara Turnbull, AHPRA

Cara Turnbull is an Australian-credentialed therapist with 18 years of professional experience, registered with AHPRA - the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - which recognises her as a practising health professional in Australia. She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem and depression, bringing a respectful, strengths-based approach to each interaction.

Cara frames clients as the experts of their own stories and aims to help them draw on existing strengths to meet current challenges. Her work also extends to related concerns including abandonment, autism and Asperger syndrome, communication difficulties, forgiveness, guilt and shame, hoarding, isolation and loneliness, questions of life purpose, narcissism, obsessions and compulsions, panic disorder and panic attacks, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress, self-harm, and social anxiety and phobia. She values the courage it takes to begin therapy and offers steady, compassionate support for people ready to take that step.

Cara combines practical strategies with reflective work to help clients build motivation, increase confidence, and develop coping skills that fit their everyday lives. She meets clients where they are and collaborates with them to set achievable goals and plan meaningful change.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Cara frequently integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into sessions. ACT helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and supports taking action toward a more meaningful life even when challenges remain. It can be useful for anxiety, low mood, and issues tied to avoidance.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another common approach she uses. CBT focuses on identifying and adjusting unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns so clients can reduce symptoms and build practical coping skills; it is often helpful for anxiety, panic, and depressive concerns.

Mindfulness Therapy is used alongside these approaches to help clients develop present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity to distressing thoughts and sensations.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Cara works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts techniques over time as needs change to support steady progress.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to access a licensed professional from home, during work breaks, or when in-person visits are not convenient, while preserving a consistent therapeutic relationship.