Aveley Counselling Services

14/01/2026

Retirement can be a wonderful thing, or it can leave some people questioning their life choices, their losses, their traumas and sometimes their very existence. It can be quite a jolt to the system navigating this new expanded yawning open space with endless time, where perhaps before it was filled with a parenthood or work identity.
For some it can be filled with the joy of self. You now have time to paint, draw, sing, dance, sew, garden, cook, write, hike or exercise or whatever it is you want to do to your hearts content. Even then with most of your ducks in a row this lifestyle change and the aging process can be quite frightening, lonely and empty. Many ancient grievances can surface and keep resurfacing and flood the brain with endless rumination without any closure.
At the blunt end of life finding a new structure and routine can be a daunting process. This stage of life is not for the faint hearted.
Aveley Counselling Services provides both individuals and couples counselling and especially enjoys working with people with Borderline Personality Disorder
Sonia Neale (BA Arts - Psych/Counselling). Counsellor/Psychotherapist. Member ACA Level 2
Mobile: 0427 730 444
Email: aveleycounselling@iinet.net.au
Website: aveleycounsellingservices.com
Address: Upper level, Aveley Medical Centre, 15 Flecker Promenade, Aveley.

11/11/2025

11/11/2025

Boundaries keep everyone safe. Last week we went on a caravan trip with our two cats. What could possibly go wrong, you might ask. First night we thought we'd let them free range with no limits and let them work out where to sleep. Unsurprisingly they ricocheted and pinged off the bench, the table, the walls and the ceiling till 3am. In exasperation and exhaustion, we put them and their bedding in the shower and closed the magnetically sealed door. Not a peep till morning. And everyone slept through the next night. Even cats need solid boundaries.

Sonia Neale (BA Arts - Psych/Counselling). Member ACA Level 2
Aveley Counselling Services does couples counselling and works with individuals with relationship issues, Borderline Personality Disorder, depression and anxiety, type 2 diabetes, PTSD and self esteem and confidence issues.
Mobile: 0427 730 444
Email: aveleycounselling@iinet.net.au
Website: aveleycounsellingservices.com
Upper level, Aveley Medical Centre,
15 Flecker Promenade, Aveley
• Sonia typically replies to inquiries within two hours.
• Appointments are available within 5-7 business days.
• Phone, video link and face to face therapy available.
• Fee is $105 per one hour session for unlimited sessions.
• Some major health fund rebates, ie BUPA, Medibank Private and ahm may apply.

27/10/2025

One of my greatest joys in couples counselling is when the couple have resolved their communication issues and are able to work together when conflict arises to get that loving feeling back again. I work with couples, especially couples where one or both partners identify with Borderline Personality Disorder, in evidence based Emotionally Focussed Therapy that helps partners identify and change the negative interaction patterns that maintain distress and disconnection. Each other’s attachment style is identified and understood. I help clients restructure their interactions where relationship distress is framed as a problem of unmet attachment needs rather than solely blaming behavior. This helps to secure emotional bonding and increase problem-solving capacity. Where there has been a betrayal, an emotional affair or a sexual one, I work with honouring both parties hurt, loss and grief and explore whether there is a way of coming back together. Of paramount importance is making sure both partners feel safe, respected, heard, soothed and understood. Sometimes there is not a way back for the relationship and I help couples separate with dignity and respect.
For couples or individual counselling please contact Sonia Neale B. Arts (Psych/Counselling) Registered Counsellor/Psychotherapist in Aveley on 0427 730 444 or email: aveleycounselling@iinet.net.au

15/10/2025

Geese can make wonderful faithful pets who follow you everywhere. I have three geese who are my garden shadows, but one goose, Blondie, likes to bite my kneecaps. When he was a gosling he had a sore leg and I had to use a long metal syringe to sq**rt some liquid painkillers into his crop everyday. He has never forgotten (or forgiven) this and he now has a wary regard for me. So when he bites me I pick him up, put him on my lap and stroke and cuddle him and let him know who the Boss Goose is. Me. He loves this. And when I put him down he is kind and gentle. For a while.
Sonia Neale (BA Arts - Psych/Counselling). Member ACA Level 2
Aveley Counselling Services does couples counselling and works with individuals with relationship issues, Borderline Personality Disorder, depression and anxiety, type 2 diabetes, PTSD and self esteem and confidence issues.
Mobile: 0427 730 444
Email: aveleycounselling@iinet.net.au
Website: aveleycounsellingservices.com
Upper level, Aveley Medical Centre,
15 Flecker Promenade, Aveley
• Sonia typically replies to inquiries within two hours.
• Appointments are available within 5-7 business days.
• Phone, video link and face to face therapy available.
• Fee is $105 per one hour session for unlimited sessions.
• Some major health fund rebates, ie BUPA, Medibank Private and ahm may apply.

11/10/2025

Diabetes type 2 is on the rise in Australia and around the world. My special interest lies in this space. I was diagnosed with type 2 when I was 35. As a cousellor/psychotherapist I have a vested interest in the psychology of the how and why this effects people and how they live with and function with this chronic condition. Like any chronic disease it needs a special sort of self care and a reimagining of the future. It's a topic dear to my heart. If you are interested in exploring this journey my contact details are below.
Sonia Neale (BA Arts - Psych/Counselling). Member ACA Level 2
Aveley Counselling Services does couples counselling and works with individuals with relationship issues, Borderline Personality Disorder, depression and anxiety, type 2 diabetes, PTSD and self esteem and confidence issues.
Mobile: 0427 730 444
Email: aveleycounselling@iinet.net.au
Website: aveleycounsellingservices.com
Upper level, Aveley Medical Centre,
15 Flecker Promenade, Aveley
• Sonia typically replies to inquiries within two hours.
• Appointments are available within 5-7 business days.
• Phone, video link and face to face therapy available.
• Fee is $105 per one hour session for unlimited sessions.
• Some major health fund rebates, ie BUPA, Medibank Private and ahm may apply.

30/09/2025

It's tadpole season. This is where I get to see the amazing metamorphosis of little round tubby swimmers turn into magnificent green frogs. I'm so excited that I'm going down to my local lake with my SpudShed net and my sunflower wellington boots and venturing into the murky depth to capture some. I'm 63 and am tapping into my inner ten year old child, the carefree time and place where I was my safest and happiest.

Sonia Neale (BA Arts - Psych/Counselling). Member ACA Level 2
Aveley Counselling Services does couples counselling and works with people with Borderline Personality Disorder, depression and anxiety, PTSD, self esteem and confidence issues.
Mobile: 0427 730 444
Email: aveleycounselling@iinet.net.au
Website: aveleycounsellingservices.com
Upper level, Aveley Medical Centre,
15 Flecker Promenade, Aveley
• Sonia typically replies to inquiries within two hours.
• Appointments are available within 5-7 business days.
• Phone, video link and face to face therapy available.
• Fee is $105 per one hour session for unlimited sessions.
• Some major health fund rebates, ie BUPA, Medibank Private and ahm may apply.

15/09/2025

This is one of my favourite photos from a temple in Bali. The openess and sunlight shines through the darkness illuminating so much potential we all have which is sometimes hidden away by trauma, anxiety, depression, self doubt and negative core beliefs. It's possible to rediscover our true nature if we have the key to unearthing and understanding ourselves in a more authentic manner, in a journey of self-discovery.

Sonia Neale (BA Arts - Psych/Counselling). Member ACA Level 2
Aveley Counselling Services does couples counselling and works with people with Borderline Personality Disorder, depression and anxiety, PTSD, self esteem and confidence issues.
Mobile: 0427 730 444
Email: aveleycounselling@iinet.net.au
Website: aveleycounsellingservices.com
Upper level, Aveley Medical Centre,
15 Flecker Promenade, Aveley
• Sonia typically replies to inquiries within two hours.
• Appointments are available within 5-7 business days.
• Phone, video link and face to face therapy available.
• Fee is $105 per one hour session for unlimited sessions.
• Some major health fund rebates, ie BUPA, Medibank Private and ahm may apply.

02/09/2025

Dogs and cats have been a part of my life for six decades and the sweetest, cutest, most loving and patient dog was Tipsy, a Maltese cross who wandered into our back yard in 2002, a born therapy support dog for the whole family for twelve years.
Photo: Tipsy looking cute, patient and pretty. RIP 2014

Sonia Neale (BA Arts - Psych/Counselling). Member ACA Level 2
Aveley Counselling Services does couples counselling and works with people with Borderline Personality Disorder, depression and anxiety, PTSD, self esteem and confidence issues.
Mobile: 0427 730 444
Email: aveleycounselling@iinet.net.au
Website: aveleycounsellingservices.com
Upper level, Aveley Medical Centre,
15 Flecker Promenade, Aveley
• Sonia typically replies to inquiries within two hours.
• Appointments are available within 5-7 business days.
• Phone, video link and face to face therapy available.
• Fee is $105 per one hour session for unlimited sessions.
• Some major health fund rebates, ie BUPA, Medibank Private and ahm may apply.

28/08/2025

One of the hardest things is giving ourselves permission to rest or take a break from all the jobs we have to do without feeling guilty. Or take a break if we are ill or injured or need a mental health day off. It begs the question of how did we learn, or where did we learn that we must be everything to everyone.
Photo: My geese taking a well earned break.

Sonia Neale (BA Arts - Psych/Counselling). Member ACA Level 2
Aveley Counselling Services does couples counselling and works with people with Borderline Personality Disorder, depression and anxiety, PTSD, self esteem and confidence issues.
Mobile: 0427 730 444
Email: aveleycounselling@iinet.net.au
Website: aveleycounsellingservices.com
Upper level, Aveley Medical Centre,
15 Flecker Promenade, Aveley
• Sonia typically replies to inquiries within two hours.
• Appointments are available within 5-7 business days.
• Phone, video link and face to face therapy available.
• Fee is $105 per one hour session for unlimited sessions.
• Some major health fund rebates, ie BUPA, Medibank Private and ahm may apply.

19/08/2025

Sometimes clients can lose their connection to their own lives. I know its happened to me in the past. I can help clients find their connections to what is important to them. Secure connections can lead to better mental health, improving depression and anxiety symptoms. I connect through cooking, gardening, writing, yoga and my ever growing mini hobby farm. It doesn't matter what you connect to, it's how positive you feel, how grounded you feel, how much in the flow zone you feel that is important. Photo of my geese in their particular state of flow with all the recent rain.
Sonia Neale (BA Arts - Psych/Counselling). Member ACA Level 2
Aveley Counselling Services does couples counselling and works with people with Borderline Personality Disorder, depression and anxiety, PTSD, self esteem and confidence issues.
Mobile: 0427 730 444
Email: aveleycounselling@iinet.net.au
Website: aveleycounsellingservices.com
Upper level, Aveley Medical Centre,
15 Flecker Promenade, Aveley
• Sonia typically replies to inquiries within two hours.
• Appointments are available within 5-7 business days.
• Phone, video link and face to face therapy available.
• Fee is $105 per one hour session for unlimited sessions.
• Some major health fund rebates, ie BUPA, Medibank Private and ahm may apply.

11/08/2025

Sonia Neale (BA Arts - Psych/Counselling). Member ACA Level 2
Aveley Counselling Services does couples counselling and works with people with Borderline Personality Disorder, depression and anxiety, PTSD, self esteem and confidence issues.
Mobile: 0427 730 444
Email: aveleycounselling@iinet.net.au
Website: aveleycounsellingservices.com
Upper level, Aveley Medical Centre,
15 Flecker Promenade, Aveley
• Sonia typically replies to inquiries within two hours.
• Appointments are available within 5-7 business days.
• Phone, video link and face to face therapy available.
• Fee is $105 per one hour session for unlimited sessions.
• Some major health fund rebates, ie BUPA, Medibank Private and ahm may apply.
Photos to show the last month of winters joy.