- Stress and anxiety
- Relationship communication
- Trauma and attachment
About Philip
Philip "Phil" Burns is an ACA counsellor in Australia with eight years' experience helping adults manage stress, anxiety, relationship strain, trauma and depression. He works with people dealing with intimacy concerns and issues linked to family and attachment. Phil also focuses on abandonment, codependency, communication problems and grief related to illness or separation.
Phil uses straightforward conversation to help people notice what matters to them. He draws on a range of counselling methods and adapts sessions to what the person needs that week. Sessions often involve naming patterns, testing small changes and practising new ways of relating to oneself and others.
He pays attention to how past events affect current feelings and behaviour. That means looking at family of origin issues, attachment patterns and old beliefs that fuel guilt or shame. Phil helps people separate the past from present choices so they can decide what fits their values now.
When couples or partners come for work, he focuses on communication, commitment questions and rebuilding trust. For those facing illness or caregiving stress he helps manage practical pressures alongside emotional reactions.
Phil describes counselling as a practical process. He uses evidence-based techniques such as cognitive approaches, narrative work and mindfulness to build coping skills. Sessions aim to leave people with clearer options and everyday tools they can use after the hour.
How therapeutic approaches are used in online sessions
Phil draws on evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioural methods and narrative therapy. Cognitive approaches help people identify unhelpful thinking patterns and test new ways of thinking, which can reduce persistent guilt and anxious thinking. Narrative therapy focuses on the stories people tell about themselves and separates the person from the problem, useful when shame feels like a fixed identity.He also uses mindfulness strategies to help people notice bodily and emotional responses in the moment and to practise grounding skills. These techniques are practical and can be practised between sessions to build daily coping skills for stress and relationship triggers.
Finding the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. The therapist and client will discuss goals, try methods in sessions and adjust based on what works. That means choices about focus and techniques can change as needs and progress become clear.
The original biography does not list specific online formats, so please confirm current session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit counselling into work and family life, reduce travel time and allow short check-ins when a full in-person visit is difficult. Appropriately qualified counsellors can adapt the same therapeutic methods used face to face to an online setting, helping people practise skills and review progress between sessions.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
8+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he help with?
Phil works with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues and depression. He also lists additional focus areas like abandonment, codependency and family of origin issues.
How does he approach guilt and shame?
He looks at how past events and attachment patterns contribute to ongoing guilt or shame and uses narrative and cognitive techniques to reframe those stories.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has eight years of experience working with adults on a variety of concerns including trauma, relationship strain and caregiver stress.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is a member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and practises in Australia.
Does he work in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and he is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.