Vanessa Thomas, AASW

Vanessa Thomas is a social worker who supports people facing personal, relational and systemic challenges. She has experience working with survivors of trauma, people living with complex mental illness and those navigating everyday life difficulties. Vanessa approaches her work from a person-centred, trauma-informed perspective and adapts interventions to suit each individual.

Her practice draws on a variety of techniques including parts work, mindfulness, motivational interviewing and values-based work. She primarily incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, somatic approaches and Reality Therapy, selecting modalities that best match a client’s needs. Sessions are tailored around goals developed through a strengths-based process, with an emphasis on building capacity to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Vanessa holds the AASW credential, indicating membership in the Australian Association of Social Workers. She works from Queensland and notes that clients located in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory may encounter scheduling challenges because of time differences. Vanessa looks forward to supporting people as they work toward their goals and navigate life's changes.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps clients clarify their values and take meaningful action even when difficult thoughts or feelings arise. It is useful for people coping with anxiety, depression, grief or life transitions because it emphasizes living in line with what matters most.

Mindfulness-based approaches teach present-moment awareness and self-compassion skills that can reduce reactivity and improve emotional regulation. These techniques often support people managing stress, trauma-related symptoms and ongoing mood difficulties.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors to improve mood and daily functioning. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression, sleep problems and practical coping with life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Vanessa works collaboratively with clients to explore which methods fit their needs, goals and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals from home, during work breaks or while managing caregiving and other responsibilities, supporting continuity of care and consistent progress.