Karyn
(& Huxley)
MEET THE FOUNDER
Clinical Counsellor, Somatic Wellbeing Practitioner -
and the heart behind FirstSteps.
Why I do this work
KARYN'S STORY
Before I became a counsellor, I lived the kind of life many of my clients know well - frontline services, high-pressure environments, and the transition out the other side. I know firsthand how stress accumulates quietly, how it settles into the body and strains relationships, and how long people carry it before asking for help. I've been that person.
I created FirstSteps from a simple but deeply held belief - that healing begins when people feel safe, supported, and understood. I have seen how capable, resilient people can still feel overwhelmed. How strong individuals carry silent burdens. How often people believe they must just cope alone.
I know how heavy that can feel. That is why this work matters to me.
Because no one should have to navigate stress, trauma, or life's challenges without support. Because strength is not about enduring in silence - it is about allowing yourself to be supported.
FirstSteps exists to be that space - where you can exhale, feel understood, and begin to rebuild.
“I believe that every day is a new dawn - and even after the hardest chapters, you don’t have to take that first step forward alone.”
CORE APPROACH
My Philosophy
My approach to therapy and well-being is grounded in the connection between the mind and body. We now understand that trauma doesn't just live in the mind - it can also be carried in the body, showing up in ways that feel physical, emotional, or even hard to explain.
I wanted to create a space that demonstrated a commitment to whole-person care. My approach integrates both counselling and somatic well-being practices, because I believe that mental, emotional, and physical well-being are inseparable.
Through trauma-informed counselling and nervous-system-focused therapeutic somatic work, I will support you to regulate, release, and rebuild from the inside out.
My work combines evidence-based therapeutic frameworks with a deeply human presence - creating space for reflection, resilience, and restoration.
“Stress is not just something we think - it is something we hold.
In tight shoulders. In shallow breathing. In restless sleep. In a nervous system that never shuts off.”
CLIENT EXPERIENCE
What it’s like to work with me
“I believe therapy should not create dependence. As a Clinical Counsellor, my goal is to equip you with insight and strategies that you can carry confidently on your path to a more self-assured future. ”
QUALIFICATIONS
Professional Background
What my qualifications mean for you
Registered Level 3 Member, ACA
You see a registered Level 3 member of the Australian Counselling Association. This means I've completed university-level training in counselling, built real experience working with people through genuinely difficult times, and remain committed to ongoing supervision and professional development. I'm accountable to a professional body and a code of ethics - not because I have to be, but because that's what good practice looks like.
I hope that knowing this helps you feel a little more at ease about reaching out.
Gottman Method Level 2
For couples, you’ll be working with a clinician trained to Level 2 in the Gottman Method. This means I've completed comprehensive training in one of the world's most researched and respected approaches to couples therapy. The Gottman Method provides practical, evidence-based strategies to help couples improve communication, navigate conflict, rebuild trust, and strengthen emotional connection.
So you can feel confident that our work together is grounded in research and proven practice.
INDEPENDENT · CONFIDENTIAL ·
FOCUSED ON YOU
A PERSONAL NOTE
From Me to You
I understand that reaching out can feel daunting. Taking the first step is often the hardest one.
If you are considering counselling, know that you will be met with warmth,
professionalism, and genuine care.
When you are ready, I would be honoured to walk alongside you on your journey toward a more self-assured future