MENTAL HEALTH OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST & COUNSELLOR
Life can be complex and unpredictable, particularly when physical and emotional challenges overlap.
MENTAL HEALTH OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST & COUNSELLOR
Fiona Akal is a Medicare Endorsed Mental Health Occupational Therapist and Counsellor with extensive experience across mental health, disability, rehabilitation, aged care, and community settings in Australia and internationally.
With qualifications in Psychology, Education, Counselling, and Occupational Therapy (BOccTher, BA(Psych), Postgrad Dip Psych, MTeach, MCouns), Fiona offers a warm, practical, and evidence-based approach that combines counselling with a functional, whole-person perspective to support emotional wellbeing, recovery, independence, and meaningful participation in everyday life.
Fiona understands that wellbeing is influenced by many factors, including mental health, physical health, daily routines, relationships, life experiences, and the environments in which we live and work. Her approach focuses on helping clients make sense of complexity, identify priorities, build on strengths, and develop practical strategies that support meaningful and sustainable change.
Drawing on postgraduate training and ongoing professional development, Fiona incorporates evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)-informed strategies, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), mindfulness-based approaches, behavioural activation, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, trauma-informed practice, and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR; Levels 1 and 2).
Based in Maclean, Fiona provides mobile services across the Clarence Valley through home visits, community-based appointments, and Telehealth consultations. Telehealth services are also available to clients throughout Australia.
Fiona speaks English, German, and Afrikaans and can offer support in these languages where appropriate.
Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like assistance booking an appointment.
Empowering independence through understanding and care.
Occupational Therapy and Counselling for adults in the Clarence Valley and beyond.
Our Services
Counselling
Available via Medicare, self-referral, eligible NDIS funding, and selected insurance pathways.
Support for anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, emotional regulation, psychosis, schizophrenia, psychosocial disability, life transitions, and complex mental health challenges through evidence-based and compassionate therapy.
Daily Living & Recovery Support
Practical support to improve independence, confidence, and participation in everyday life. Therapy may focus on routines, self-care, motivation, community engagement, executive functioning, and meaningful activities. Fiona has experience supporting people whose daily functioning is impacted by mental health challenges, psychosocial disability, chronic pain, fatigue, illness, injury, and complex physical or cognitive health conditions.
Sensory & Neurodiversity Support
Support for autistic, ADHD, neurodivergent, and intellectually disabled adults experiencing sensory, cognitive, emotional, or functional challenges. Therapy may focus on sensory regulation, executive functioning, communication, emotional wellbeing, daily living skills, and community participation. Where appropriate, Fiona works alongside families, carers, support workers, and multidisciplinary teams to create supportive environments and practical strategies that enhance participation, independence, and quality of life.
Functional Capacity Assessments
Comprehensive assessments and reports that explore a person's strengths, support needs, daily functioning, and capacity for independence. Fiona has extensive experience assessing psychosocial disability, mental health conditions, neurodiversity, intellectual disability, physical health conditions, and complex presentations. Reports may support NDIS access and plan reviews, insurance and rehabilitation services, support planning, and other funding or service-related requirements.
Assistive Technology
Guidance and recommendations for low-cost and basic assistive technology, including sensory supports, cognitive aids, daily living equipment, and practical tools that promote independence, safety, and participation. This service focuses on straightforward assistive technology solutions and does not include complex assistive technology or home modification assessments.
Contact Us
Address
Maclean NSW 2463, Australia
Phone
0409 364 259ABN
98362417442
Operating Hours
Monday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm