- ACT
- CBT
- Motivational interviewing
About Joel
Joel McNamara is an ACA counsellor with four years' clinical experience based in Australia. He works with people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD and addiction, and with those wrestling with low self-esteem. He has a particular interest in supporting young adults and men as they negotiate the pressures of early adulthood.
Joel describes therapy as a collaborative, problem-solving conversation. He treats clients as the experts on their own lives and helps them clarify what they really want. From there he supports practical steps to change patterns of behaviour that get in the way of those aims.
His style is person-centred and draws on several psychological approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Narrative Therapy. He also uses attachment-informed ideas to understand relationship patterns and bottom-up methods to help with emotion and behavioural regulation.
Joel has worked cross-culturally and says he adapts sessions to the client’s context rather than forcing one method. That can mean mixing cognitive techniques with values-based work or using body-focused practices when a person is dysregulated. He aims to make sessions straightforward and focused on what will change day-to-day life.
For people wondering how to begin, Joel asks prospective clients to complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule an initial session. The subscription used for sessions can be cancelled at any time.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and taking small, committed actions toward those values even when difficult thoughts or feelings appear. It suits people who feel stuck, unsure of priorities, or who want a values-led way to manage anxiety and low mood. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps map the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns. It is useful for anxiety, depression and managing ADHD-related stress. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns shape current interaction styles and can help with communication and trust issues in adult relationships.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Joel will collaborate with the person to decide what fits best based on their goals, preferences and what they bring to sessions. That may mean combining approaches, trying one for a period, and adjusting as progress or obstacles appear.
The profile does not list specific session formats, so confirm the available online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into study or work schedules, avoid travel time and have shorter check-ins when needed. Practical benefits include more flexibility for university timetables or shift work and the ability to continue regular sessions when life is busy or between jobs.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, addictions and low self-esteem, plus related concerns such as relationship and communication problems.
What is his therapy style like?
He uses a person-centred approach that combines ACT, CBT and narrative techniques and includes body-based methods for regulation.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has four years of experience working as a counsellor in Australia and has a history of cross-cultural practice.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He holds ACA as a credential and practises in Australia.
Does he work in languages other than English or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and he is not accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session formats before booking as formats are not specified in the profile.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and 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 an initial session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.