Jillian Vanderlei

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Sometimes, life keeps moving even when you feel heavy or disconnected inside. For many, this manifests as anxiety or sadness, or a sense of being misunderstood or unseen. You might go through the motions and meet responsibilities, but underneath it all, there’s a constant heaviness or exhaustion that doesn’t fade away, even if life looks fine on the outside.

Many come to therapy—whether through adult psychotherapy, children counselling, or couples therapy—feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected. This can surface as anxiety, grief, trauma, burnout, relationship issues, or uncertainty about the future. Sometimes these struggles have roots in childhood or long-standing patterns, while other times they emerge during life transitions or periods of loss.

Hello, I’m Jillian.

I help people understand what they’re going through and find ways to move forward that feel more grounded and authentic. My focus includes youth, identity development, anxiety, trauma, grief, emotional regulation, and life transitions. I also support families in building stronger connection and communication.

With young people, I help make sense of big emotions and identity questions. In my adult psychotherapy sessions, I focus on how past experiences affect relationships, self-worth, and boundaries today. No matter your age, my goal is to help you better understand yourself and create space for real change.

My approach is collaborative; you're the expert in your own life, and I’m here to support you in making meaningful choices. Therapy doesn’t always have to be heavy or formal; I bring in humour, curiosity, creativity, and practical tools to make things accessible and relevant to your life.

Compassion is central to my work. I believe real change happens when you feel safe and understood. My approach is flexible, trauma-informed, and strengths-based. I draw from attachment and developmental perspectives, focusing on emotional awareness, nervous system regulation, and the development of a stronger sense of self and connection.

Outside of therapy, I love being in nature, especially near water, and find grounding in simple routines like morning coffee, journaling, and reading. I’m passionate about psychology and enjoy exploring new ideas in mental health, connection, and wellbeing.

If you’re looking for a supportive, honest space to understand yourself and navigate life’s challenges—whether through adult psychotherapy, children counselling, or couples therapy—this may be a good fit.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be a valuable approach in adult psychotherapy, particularly for those dealing with adverse childhood experiences and resilience learning. For mental health professionals, obtaining an anxiety certification that integrates Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and exposure and response techniques can enhance their practice, including children's counselling. Additionally, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is critical for those specialising in crisis intervention. For those working with families, becoming a Circle of Security – Parenting and Youth (COSP) facilitator can strengthen parenting skills. Other effective therapeutic approaches include Compassion-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy for attachment trauma. Furthermore, Safe Management Crisis and Intervention Training is essential for safe practices in various settings.