Bellbrae, Geelong, Melbourne
Welcome to Caro White Counselling in Torquay area
About Caro White Counselling
Help is more likely to come along if you ask for it.
Taking the first step...
I think one of the hardest parts of counselling can be reaching out in the first place.
Asking for help can leave us feeling vulnerable, uncertain or even a little exposed. And yet, it is often through allowing ourselves to be vulnerable that the possibility for something to change begins.
For many people, particularly folks who may not have had much experience talking openly about their inner world, taking that first step can feel especially daunting.
It is rare for someone to walk through my door without saying something like, “I’m feeling nervous,” “I’m not sure about this,” or “I don’t really know what I’m doing here.” And that’s completely okay. You don't need to know how counselling works, or have the right words to begin.
My role is to create a space where you can gradually feel safe enough to be yourself, to make sense of what has been happening, and to talk about the things that may be difficult to say elsewhere. I’ve found that, for most people, it doesn’t take long before the nervousness begins to settle and they feel more comfortable opening up about what has brought them to counselling.
I bring warmth, curiosity and genuine interest to this process, alongside many years of experience working with people through relationship difficulties, life transitions, grief, anxiety and the times when life simply doesn't feel like it is working the way we'd hoped.
Reaching out for support takes courage. And while it can feel like a vulnerable thing to do, that vulnerability can also be the beginning of something deeply worthwhile.
You don't have to have it all figured out before you walk through the door. You just have to take the first step.
Who do I work with?
People come to counselling for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes there is a particular problem that has brought you through the door — anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties or a significant life transition. At other times, it can be harder to put your finger on what is wrong. You might simply feel lost, overwhelmed, disconnected from yourself or unsure about what comes next.
And sometimes there doesn't need to be a crisis at all. You might be wanting some space to slow down, reflect, understand yourself more deeply or simply create some meaningful “me time” in a busy life.
I work with individuals, couples and relationships across a broad range of experiences.
I have a particular interest in the ways our relationships, attachment experiences and life transitions shape how we see ourselves and connect with others.
Areas of particular interest
- Transition to parenthood — supporting individuals, couples and multi-partnered families as they navigate the enormous emotional and relational changes that can come with becoming parents.
- Antenatal and postnatal mental health — including depression, anxiety and the emotional challenges that can arise during pregnancy and early parenthood.
- Relationships and attachment — exploring patterns of connection, disconnection, conflict and the wounds that can develop through our important relationships.
- Neurodiversity — with a particular interest in Autism and ADHD, informed by both professional knowledge and lived experience. I am particularly interested in supporting people to better understand their neuro-type, their relationships and the ways they experience and navigate the world.
- Sexuality and identity — creating a safe and non-judgemental space to explore sexuality, intimacy and identity.
- Personal development — supporting people who want to understand themselves more deeply, build self-compassion and move towards a life that feels more authentic.
- Adolescent mental health — providing support and a safe space for young people as they navigate the often complicated transition into adolescence and adulthood.
- LGBTIQ+ support — offering an affirming and inclusive space for people to explore whatever is bringing them to counselling.
You don't need to arrive with a clear diagnosis or even know exactly what you need help with. We can start with where you are and work it out together.
What I can promise.
When you entrust me with your story, your relationships and the parts of yourself that may feel most vulnerable, I take that trust seriously.
I am deeply committed to providing thoughtful, compassionate and professional care. I bring warmth, curiosity and genuine presence to my work, while drawing on many years of experience and ongoing professional development to ensure my practice is informed by current knowledge and best practice.
I am a Level 4 Registered Member of the Australian Counselling Association and work within their professional and ethical standards.
I am passionate about counselling and art therapy and have witnessed the difference these approaches can make in people's lives — for my clients, the people I love, and for myself. I believe therapy can be a powerful space for understanding ourselves differently, healing old wounds and creating new possibilities.
I also believe that finding the right counsellor is important. The relationship between therapist and client matters, and sometimes it takes a little time to find someone who feels like the right fit. I will always aim to be honest, transparent and professional, and to create a space where you can feel respected, heard and free to be yourself.
How I work
My practice draws from a number of complementary approaches, allowing me to meet each person as an individual rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model.
My key areas of training and practice include:
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Person-Centred Therapy
- Art Therapy
- Guided Drawing for Trauma
- Somatic and embodied approaches
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed practice
I continue to deepen my knowledge and training, staying curious about emerging research and approaches that can support meaningful and lasting change.
Ultimately, the modality is only part of the work. The relationship we create together is at the heart of it.
Qualifications
Masters of Counselling - La Trobe University
Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist - for relationships, families and individuals
Diploma of Transpersonal Art Therapy - Pheonix Institute
Diploma of Community Development - Swinburne TAFE
Cert IV TAE
Cert IV AOD
Becoming Us Facilitator
Memberships
ACA Level IV member
ICEEFT member
ACEFT member
MCEFT member
I live and work on the lands of the Wadawurrung People and pay my respects to their elders and healers of past, present and emerging. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
I celebrate relationship and sexual diversity and am committed to creating safe space for all people of all identities.
