Among Puffins Counselling

15/02/2026

As a counsellor, my job is to hear and hold people's stories.

Luckily, I love stories and I'm drawn to stories about those of us who've ever felt out of sync with the world. People who've had to learn to mask, to adapt, to survive. People searching for where they belong.

In my work, I meet a lot of people who connect with these themes and who also love reading. So I thought I'd share some of the books that have stayed with me as a reader, as a human, and as a therapist.

This is a bit of an indulgent post (it's just me gushing about books I love), but if even one of these stories helps you feel seen, understood, or less alone, it's worth it.

Content note: Some books discuss trauma, eating disorders, abuse and other difficult topics. I've included brief descriptions so you can choose what feels right for you.

- Liz, Among Puffins Counselling 🧡

Read the full list here:

Book recommendations from a q***r, neurodivergent therapist: stories about identity, masking, trauma, and connection that inform my practice and might resonate with you too.

07/12/2025

Financial stress doesn't pause for the holidays.

The pressure to buy gifts, attend events, travel to see family, and keep up with traditions creates real mental health strain. It's not just worrying about money, it's the shame, comparison, guilt, and the fear of letting people down that can come along with it.

Financial stress is a mental health issue, especially during Christmas. It can affect your sleep, your relationships, your sense of worth, and your mental wellbeing.

If you're stressed about money while everyone around you seems caught up in the festive spirit, you're not alone. Link in bio for low-cost counselling available during the holiday season 🧡

24/11/2025

If you’ve ever worried that therapy will feel too intense or overwhelming for you… you’re not alone.
With the rise of pop psychology on social media, and so much talk about trauma, inner child work and deep emotional healing, it’s understandable that many people fear therapy has to be heavy or dramatic. Some worry it will be too intense, or that they’ll have to dredge up painful memories in excruciating detail just to make progress.
While understanding your past can play a role in therapy, this common picture is not what trauma-informed therapy actually looks like.

In my new blog, I talk about some of the misconceptions that can make people afraid to start, and I share a few signs that something in therapy might not feel right. Things like being pushed into painful memories before you feel ready, not being offered any grounding or pacing, or leaving sessions feeling flooded and unsure of what just happened.
Safe trauma informed care feels completely different. It is steady, collaborative and always respectful of your pace and your instincts.
If you have been unsure about what therapy should feel like, this might help bring some clarity and reassurance.

- New Puffin Perspective Blog Post Up Now 🧡

What does safe trauma-informed therapy actually look like? Learn to distinguish between practitioner misconduct and therapeutic approaches, spot red flags, and find ethical supportive care.

17/11/2025

✨ New Bio ✨ Looking for compassionate counselling that is understanding of your unique experiences? 🧡

I’m Liz, a registered counsellor offering trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming therapy for people navigating traumatic events, grief, neurodivergence (diagnoses or self-diagnosed), chronic illness/invisible disabilities, dysfunctional families, identity and messy relationships.

Learn more or book a call today to see if we’re the right fit at amongpuffinscounselling.com.au - link in bio 🧡

25/10/2025

New blog post from Puffin Perspectives! 🧡

We all tell ourselves stories — some lift us up, others hold us back. This week, we explore how narrative therapy can help you rewrite the stories you carry, ease shame, and uncover strengths you didn’t know you had. Your story is bigger than your struggles — and it can be rewritten.

Read the full post here:

Discover how narrative therapy can help you rewrite the stories you tell yourself. Learn to move beyond self-blame, shame, and limiting beliefs, uncover your strengths, and build resilience. Explore practical insights for navigating trauma, chronic illness, systemic pressures, and personal growth.

21/10/2025

Invisible disabilities are real — and they often go unnoticed 🧡
This week is a reminder to look beyond what we see and create space for those living with hidden challenges every day.
If you or someone you love is navigating chronic illness, disability, or invisible pain, you are seen, heard, and valid.
Let’s spread awareness, kindness, and understanding.

It’s Invisible Disabilities Week (19–25 October)! 🌻

Around 80–85% of people with a disability have one that isn’t visible. These include neurological, cognitive, sensory, mental health, and chronic conditions that aren’t always immediately apparent.

Not all disabilities are visible — but a little understanding and kindness can go a long way in making everyone feel seen and supported.

Image description: A green graphic with sunflower design promoting Invisible Disabilities Week, 19th–25th October. It features a Sunflower lanyard, a person icon with a sunflower, and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower logo.

18/10/2025

New Blog Post from Puffin Perspectives! 🧡

Not sure whether to see a psychologist or a counsellor?

Let me help you navigate the journey — from formal diagnoses and Medicare rebates, to trauma-informed, relational care that honours your whole story.

Whether you’re ready to spread your wings or just starting to explore, this blog is your friendly guide to finding the right mental health support.

Confused about whether to see a psychologist or a counsellor in Australia? Discover the key differences in qualifications, services, costs, and how to choose the right support for your mental health.

05/10/2025

Areas of focus that we’re passionate about 🧡
Among Puffins offers tailored counselling support for a wide range of issues.

25/09/2025

Hi there!

My name is Liz O’Neill.

I’m the founder and sole counsellor behind Among Puffins Counselling — a practice dedicated to creating gentle, affirming spaces for those navigating life’s more complex and invisible challenges.

Navigating life with neurodivergence, chronic illness, trauma, or grief can feel incredibly isolating. You might feel misunderstood by others or struggle to understand yourself. If you're looking for someone who truly gets it—both personally and professionally—you've found the right place.

With my Master's in Counselling and as a registered member of the Australian Counselling Association (Level 2), I bring years of experience supporting children, young people, and adults through counselling, mentoring, and crisis intervention roles. An extensive part of my expertise comes from working with neurodivergent individuals and those facing trauma, grief, complex mental health challenges and major life transitions.

I understand that many of our struggles aren't personal failings—they're responses to living in systems that weren't designed for neurodivergent, deeply feeling, chronically ill, or culturally marginalised people. At Among Puffins, I work with this systemic awareness to support individuals who often feel stuck in patterns that keep them from living fully or authentically. Together, we'll work on what matters most to you - whether that’s identity, purpose, self-worth, relationship difficulties, overwhelming emotions, or whatever is keeping you from living as your authentic self .

I draw on client-centred, collaborative modalities that promote psychological flexibility, including Narrative Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I also incorporate "Parts Work," a approach that honours the different aspects of self we all carry, no matter how silent or invisible a part of you has been made to feel.

I am a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, practice relationship anarchy and have lived experience of chronic illness and complex grief. I practice with values rooted in feminist theory, cultural humility, and the belief that we are not broken — we are human. We hold the power to reshape the narratives we’ve been given and tell new, truer stories about who we are.