Maria Zhang (She/her)Counsellor

I am a Level 3 Mental Health Counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association and I work with adults and young people aged 15+. I have extensive experience working with ADHD and Autism and I am passionate about helping newly diagnosed or self-identifying clients understand, explore and integrate their neurodivergent identity through an affirming lens. I also enjoy working with culturally diverse clients due to my own multicultural upbringing and lived experience. I always aims to create a neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, inclusive and culturally-informed space for all my clients. If you’re looking to explore life’s challenges through a self-development lens, we might be a great fit. As a counsellor, my focus is on understanding your unique experiences and supporting your growth, whether or not a formal diagnosis is part of your journey. I believe that meaningful change can happen through connection, self-awareness, and building strategies that align with your goals — creating a space where you can feel heard, supported, and free to be yourself. Therapeutically, I tailor and adopt an eclectic approach in my sessions to help clients improve self-compassion and self-understanding for a better quality of life. I use a range of evidence-based modalities such as Positive Psychology, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), as well as emotional and physical regulation strategies. In my spare time, I enjoy doing pilates and Muay Thai, and spending time with family and friends. You’ll often also find me curled up with my cat ‘Juice’, with a medical drama in the background.