Profile / Australia
Joel McNamara, ACA
Australia
ACA counsellor - Stress and Addictions
See online therapy options- CBT and ACT methods
- Person centred work
- Body regulation skills
About Joel
Joel McNamara is an ACA counsellor with four years' experience working in Australia. He helps people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, low self‑esteem, depression and ADHD. He also supports concerns such as caregiver stress, chronic illness, fatherhood issues and relationship communication problems.
Joel describes therapy as a collaborative conversation. He treats the person in front of him as the expert on their life and works with them to name problems and uncover the needs behind them. He focuses on practical changes people can try between sessions rather than only talking about feelings.
His style is person‑centred and draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to address thoughts and habits that keep people stuck. Narrative ideas are used to reframe how a person sees their difficulties. He also uses attachment‑based ideas when relationships are part of the concern.
Joel pays attention to how the body and nervous system affect mood and behaviour. He may introduce grounding and regulation practices to reduce intense reactions or cravings. These are presented as exercises clients can practice outside sessions.
He has experience working across cultures and a particular interest in supporting young adults and men's mental health. People who want practical, structured work on behaviours and thinking patterns often find his approach straightforward and task‑focused.
How his approaches work for online therapy
Joel uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviours. CBT sessions often include structured exercises and short behavioural experiments the person can try between meetings.He also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which helps people identify values and learn practical ways to act in line with them despite difficult thoughts or feelings. Attachment‑based ideas are used when relationship patterns matter, focusing on how early patterns influence present actions and responses.
Choosing the best approach is collaborative. Joel will talk through your goals, needs and preferences and suggest which methods to try first. If a different method looks more helpful, he will adjust the plan together with the client.
Confirm current session formats before booking as they are not specified here. Online sessions can help fit therapy into busy days, allow shorter check‑in meetings, and reduce travel time. They also make it easier to practise skills between sessions and to bring real‑world problems into conversation.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Joel focus on?
He focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, low self‑esteem, depression and ADHD, with additional attention to caregiver stress, chronic illness, fatherhood issues and relationship communication problems.
How does he use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
He uses CBT to identify unhelpful thoughts and habits and to test small behavioural changes. Sessions include practical exercises to try between appointments.
What is his experience and background?
He has four years' experience as an ACA counsellor and has worked cross‑culturally with a range of practical life challenges.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is an ACA counsellor based in Australia.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions arranged and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I start a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule the first session.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A registration can be checked with the body that issued it.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.