Reesa Sorin

I am a counsellor and art therapist with many years of experience supporting children, families, adolescents, and adults. My work is grounded in relationship, careful listening, and respect for each person’s pace and capacity. I believe that meaningful change comes when people feel genuinely understood and supported to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in ways that are safe, manageable, and authentic.

I specialise in working with young children, particularly those who communicate through behaviour, play, imagery, or silence rather than words. I use creative and arts-based approaches to help children express themselves and make sense of their experiences. This might include guided drawing, storytelling, role-play, or simple reflective activities at home. The emphasis is always on understanding and meaning rather than artistic skill or performance. I also work collaboratively with parents and caregivers, providing insight and support to help them understand their child’s emotional responses and strengthen the parent–child relationship. Each session is tailored to the child’s developmental needs, temperament, and family context.

Alongside my work with children, I support adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, emotional overwhelm, the impact of trauma, or challenges navigating life transitions. Some clients come with a clear goal, while others arrive unsure of what support will help them most. Both are welcome. Sessions are shaped around the individual, prioritising emotional safety, reflection, and practical strategies that can be integrated into everyday life.

I have extensive experience providing crisis support, having worked with Lifeline Australia. This role strengthened my capacity to listen deeply, respond calmly in high-intensity situations, and provide support to people experiencing acute distress or uncertainty. I have also worked in advisory and consultancy roles, supporting educators, organisations, and communities in Australia and internationally. This work has included guidance on emotional wellbeing, reflective practice, trauma-informed approaches, and the use of creative methods to support expression and understanding.

Creative and arts-based methods are a consistent thread through all my work. Drawing on my background in visual arts, storytelling, and multimodal methods, I adapt these approaches to the client’s age, needs, and comfort. In counselling sessions, this might mean using drawing, metaphor, or simple hands-on activities to explore feelings and experiences. While my work is primarily conducted online, these methods are flexible and can be integrated into home environments.

Throughout my career, I have maintained a strong focus on emotional literacy and wellbeing, particularly for children and young people. I have worked in early childhood education, teacher education, and professional development, and I bring these insights into my counselling practice. My aim is to create a safe, steady, and responsive space where clients feel heard, validated, and supported to understand and navigate their emotional worlds.

I approach my work with care, respect, and collaboration. I am mindful of pace, readiness, and emotional safety, especially for clients who have experienced misunderstanding, pressure, or trauma in other settings. I work gently, prioritising listening and attunement over interpretation or direction. My practice is client-centered, flexible, and grounded in the belief that each person has the capacity to grow, explore, and find new ways of being.

I welcome enquiries from individuals, parents, and caregivers seeking thoughtful, relational counselling delivered with warmth, creativity, and integrity. My work supports children and adults alike, offering strategies and guidance that build understanding, confidence, and resilience in ways that are accessible, safe, and tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.

I have extensive experience supporting children, families, adolescents, and adults in counselling, crisis support, and advisory roles focused on emotional wellbeing. My work prioritises careful listening, emotional safety, and helping clients make sense of experiences that feel overwhelming or hard to express.

I currently work as a counsellor and art therapist with private and NDIS clients. I have particular expertise with young children, especially those who communicate through behaviour, play, imagery, or non-verbal expression. Sessions are paced, responsive, and tailored to each client’s needs.

I have also provided crisis support with Lifeline Australia, offering short-term emotional support to people in acute distress, requiring calm presence and effective response in high-emotion situations.

In addition, I have experience in advisory and consultancy work, supporting educators, organisations, and families in Australia and internationally on wellbeing, emotional development, and reflective practice.

Creative and arts-based methods are central to my approach. I use visual arts, storytelling, metaphor, and multimodal techniques to support expression, particularly for clients who struggle with verbal communication. Approaches are flexible and adapted for online sessions and home settings.

Across all roles, I work collaboratively and with respect for each person’s context and pace, providing grounded, thoughtful support to help clients feel understood and supported as they navigate their emotional worlds.

Creative and arts-based methods are a consistent feature of my work. I use visual arts, storytelling, metaphor, and other multimodal approaches to support expression and understanding, particularly for clients who find verbal communication challenging. These approaches are adapted for online counselling and home environments, and are used flexibly rather than as a fixed technique.

Across all roles, I work collaboratively and with respect for each person’s context, values, and pace. My focus remains on providing grounded, thoughtful support that helps clients feel understood and supported as they navigate their emotional worlds.

Diploma of Counselling – Australian College of Community Services and Care, QLD

Certificate in Crisis Counselling – Lifeline Australia, QLD

Specialist Certificate in Creativity and Health – University of Melbourne, VIC

PhD in Education (Child Wellbeing) – University of Wollongong, NSW Thesis: Responding to the Fears of Early Childhood – an Examination of Perception and Practice in Emotion Education

Master of Arts (Honours), Education/Creative Arts – University of Wollongong, NSW

Bachelor of Education, Art Education – University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design and Photography – University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

Bachelor of Arts, English and Psychology, Minor in Theatre – University of Winnipeg, Canada

Primary Specialist Certificate, Early Childhood Education – Toronto Teachers’ College, Canada

Memberships:

Australian Counselling Association

Queensland College of Teachers