Carolyn Perry

Carolyn Perry is an AASW social worker with 20 years' experience in mental health and nearly a decade running a private practice. She works with adults facing anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress and major life changes. Carolyn also supports people dealing with stress, self-esteem issues and questions about life purpose.

She practises from Bribie Island, Queensland, and completed a PhD examining how therapeutic landscapes aid recovery from mental health problems. That research shapes how she thinks about balance between environment, relationships and activities that bring meaning.

Carolyn uses an eclectic mix of approaches and adapts sessions to each person. In practice this means choosing methods that suit the issue and the person’s preferences. Sessions focus on improving day-to-day coping, managing mood, and restoring routines that help life feel more manageable.

She helps people notice what matters to them, make small changes, and repair difficult relationships when needed. Work with caregivers often looks at managing stress and setting realistic boundaries. Workplace issues and communication problems are approached with practical strategies to reduce pressure.

Carolyn describes her work as collaborative and straightforward. She draws on interpersonal therapy, acceptance and commitment approaches (ACT), cognitive behavioural ideas, and parts-based and trauma-informed methods where useful. The emphasis is on practical steps towards better balance and clearer direction.

How evidence-based approaches translate to online sessions

Carolyn draws on cognitive behavioural ideas and acceptance and commitment approaches (ACT) in her work. Cognitive behavioural techniques focus on identifying unhelpful thoughts and trying different behaviours to change mood and stress. ACT helps people clarify personal values and take small committed actions that align with what matters to them.

She also uses interpersonal therapy and parts-based or trauma-informed methods when relevant. Interpersonal techniques concentrate on improving communication and relationships that affect mood. Parts-based work helps people understand different internal voices and how they influence choices after trauma.

Choosing which approach to use is a collaborative step. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences and current difficulties, and together they will try approaches that fit the person's needs. Adjustments are made as progress and feedback guide the work.

The biography does not list specific session formats for online work, so please confirm which formats are available before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. These practical benefits often help people maintain continuity of care while they work on life balance and purpose.