Practical, evidence-based therapy paired with compassion-focused care.
Hi! I’m Angie Galles, I’m so glad you found your way here.
I have an unwavering belief that humans are inherently resourceful and capable of creating a meaningful and authentic life – but sometimes we get stuck in cycles of behaviours and experiences that need our courageous curiosity and reflection.
That's when the support of a caring, qualified therapist can offer valuable new perspectives and facilitate positive change and growth.
I’m a registered counsellor and social worker with 20+ years’ experience working with human and community development.
At Commonfolk, I offer a warm and collaborative space for people seeking support to navigate and overcome the inevitable struggles we all experience in life.
Trauma-informed counselling for adults and adolescents seeking growth and a greater sense of meaning and agency.
Collaborative
In our shared space, I’ll encourage you to experience the parts of you that are competent in finding the pathways to your own wellbeing and fulfilment. Expect me to be curious, warm and non-judgemental. My goal is to ensure you get the type of support you need.
Insightful
Whether you’re experiencing a challenging time in your relationships, or you find yourself at a crossroads and need clarity to move forward, I’ll support you to orientate towards greater connection, self-confidence and a sense of integration.
Grounded
Informed by a systems approach, which focuses on the relational aspects of human problems and the specific contexts in which they occur, I work with a range of modalities as diverse as psychodynamics and evidence-based brief therapy formats.
My work supports individuals, couples and families who are seeking support to navigate a range of issues:
Mood difficulties (e.g. depression)
Anxiety (general or specific)
Unhelpful thought & behavioural patterns (e.g. anger & ADHD management)
Grief and loss
Self-esteem
Trauma-related difficulties
Communication skills for conflict de-escalation
Relationship difficulties in intimate, family & workplace contexts
Spiritual and life direction/balance challenges
Coaching for those seeking accountability, ideas, & general support
FAQs
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Individual session: $170 (60 min)
Couples/family session: $210 (60 min)
Concession (university/TAFE students & pensioners - healthcare card required): $110 (60 min)
After-hours fee: An additional $30 charge applies to Saturday bookings.
I get that therapy can feel like a financial stretch…but I never want money to be the reason why people don't access the help they need. If you are working with a tight budget please talk to me - we'll work something out together.
If you have extra dollars and are interested in supporting the mental health journey of others who are not as fortunate, I invite you to join the Commonfolk 'sponsor rockstars' hall of fame. If this is you, please contact me and I'll give you a high five and relay the details around your contribution. There is no tax benefit in doing so - just good ol' karma points.
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In the event you are unable to keep an appointment, please notify me 24 hours in advance, otherwise you will need to pay for the session. To cancel or reschedule, email hello@commonfolktherapy.com or call 0490 157 815.
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Of course! I offer both Zoom and phone counselling to accommodate your needs. These alternatives to in-person sessions can be just as effective and provide greater accessibility, especially for those who live remotely, have busy schedules or mobility issues.
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When you arrive, you can expect a warm and welcoming environment where we'll talk through confidentiality, your concerns, questions, goals, and expectations. We'll piece together the narrative so far and collaborate on a rough plan for future sessions.
In some cases, clients book in for a situation-specific session. If this is you, then your session will spend less time covering broader aspects of your life and more time focused on your current concern.
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There's no right or wrong answer - the frequency of counselling sessions varies depending on your needs and goals. At the beginning, weekly or fortnightly sessions may be recommended to help establish a strong therapeutic relationship and build momentum. As you progress, the frequency may be adjusted based on your needs and my recommendations. It's important for you to consider your unique experience of counselling and variables such as the time commitment, budgeting, and energy.
The duration of counselling varies greatly from person to person, as it depends on your specific goals, challenges, and the pace of your progress. Some people find relief in just a few sessions, while others may require ongoing support for several months or even years. Many clients find that they benefit from routine maintenance sessions to check in and talk things through, while others simply value knowing they have that connection there if they ever need it again. We'll work together to determine what might be most beneficial for you.
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A counsellor, psychologist, and psychiatrist are all mental health professionals, but they have different areas of focus and expertise. Understanding the differences can be confusing because in the health sector, all three are known for providing counselling to clients. However, training as a psychologist or psychiatrist involves broader skills than counselling, including things like diagnosing and working with people with severe mental illnesses using a medical model. In addition to this, psychiatrists are qualified medical doctors, which means they both diagnose and prescribe medication.
Counsellors are trained to help clients find the right diagnosis/medical support if needed, but clients attend counselling for support with day to day things that impact mental health like relationships, work stress, trauma, parenting, life transitions, and more.
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As a counsellor, my style is relational and collaborative. I use a range of therapeutic modalities, including Gottman Method for Couples, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, trauma-informed care, mindfulness-based therapies, and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). This means I can tailor my approach to best suit your individual needs and preferences, ensuring the most effective support for your personal growth and progress.
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Finding the right counsellor is critical. In fact, research indicates the factors that have the greatest impact on therapeutic outcomes is the therapeutic alliance and client readiness for change. The therapeutic modality or approach makes up a very small portion of the outcome pie. To assist you in the vetting process ask yourself these questions:
1) Is this person qualified? The term ‘counsellor’ can be confusing because it is not a regulated term like ‘psychologist’. This means there is a wide range of education and capabilities across the profession so be sure to enquire about qualifications, commitment to ongoing professional development, professional body membership (PACFA, ACA, etc.), and supervisory engagements.
2) Can I trust this person? Are they genuine? It takes time to build trust but if it is not secured by session two or three, you may want to consider broader options.
3) Does this person care? Keep an eye out for engagement, responsiveness, and appropriate empathy. Also, look for warm, open and non-judgmental communication.
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Geoff Sweeting, Hypnotherapy & Psychotherapy: sweetinghypnosis.com.au
Paul Baker, Relationship Coaching: pbrcoaching.com.au
