SO Portrait of Sarah O'Sullivan

Sarah O'Sullivan, AASW

Practical, lived-experience informed social worker

6 years in practice · based in Australia · sessions in English · online sessions

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About Sarah

Sarah O'Sullivan is an AASW social worker with six years in direct therapeutic practice. She draws on long personal experience with chronic mental health to shape compassionate, practical support. Her work focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, parenting and depression.

Sarah keeps sessions straightforward and practical. She listens first, then helps people make sense of what they are facing. She uses everyday language and clear steps rather than jargon.

Book with Sarah Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Background and approach

Parents often find this approach useful when life feels overwhelming. Her background includes roles across government and non-government services. That experience means she understands how hard it can be to navigate systems and paperwork.

As a result she offers advocacy and can prepare complex reports for court or the NDIS when needed. Sarah also offers domestic violence informed mapping using the Safe and Together model to support family court matters. She provides functional capacity assessments using the Allen's model of cognitive function when these are requested as part of care planning.

Therapeutically she blends attachment-based, client-centred, mindfulness, motivational interviewing and narrative approaches. Sessions can include practical relapse-prevention planning and recovery coaching for substance concerns. The emphasis is on small workable changes that fit into everyday life.

Approaches that translate to online therapy

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships shape current reactions and patterns. Online sessions using this approach help people notice connection styles and practise new ways of relating that reduce anxiety and reactivity.

Client-Centred Therapy puts the person's experience at the centre and follows their pace. In remote sessions this often looks like reflective listening, gentle questions and collaboratively chosen goals that feel achievable at home.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce stress and ground thinking. These techniques work well across video, phone or text formats and can be used between sessions to manage sudden worry or cravings.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about their needs, goals and preferences and suggest one or a mix of approaches. That collaborative process helps tailor sessions so they feel useful and relevant.

Online therapy offers flexibility and a range of ways to connect. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and body language cues, phone sessions are helpful when bandwidth is limited, and live chat or text-based messaging can suit brief check-ins or ongoing coaching. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, parenting and daily life while keeping the focus on practical steps and recovery.
Book with Sarah Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Questions people ask

What concerns does she commonly address?
Sarah focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, parenting and depression, with experience in related areas such as attachment issues and family problems.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She uses a practical, down-to-earth style that starts with listening and then builds clear, manageable steps. Sessions use plain language and aim for changes that fit day-to-day life.
What is her professional background?
Sarah has six years of therapeutic practice and many additional years working as a lived experience worker within Queensland Health and community services.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is listed with the AASW and is based in Australia.
Which languages and international arrangements apply?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not taking international clients.
How are sessions delivered?
Sessions can be held via video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How do costs work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

What this therapist works with

Experience
6 years
Licensed
Languages
English

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