Welcome

If life has left you carrying the weight of betrayal, abuse, burnout, or a toxic environment—this is a gentle space for healing.

Maybe you've felt:

  • Wounded by the people or places that were meant to care for you

  • Disconnected from your body, your story, or your sense of meaning

  • Unsure how to move forward without shame, fear, or pressure

  • Worn thin from always being the strong one

Wherever you are in your healing journey, you are welcome here—to breathe, reflect, and begin restoring what was lost.

Hi, I’m Amanda. 🤍

Qualified Counsellor | Therapeutic Resource Creator

My approach blends evidence-based therapy with creative expression—drawing from narrative and trauma-informed practices. It’s always grounded in warmth, safety, and compassion.

I offer gentle, trauma-informed support through:

  • Online counselling

  • Therapeutic art

  • Creative, self-paced healing programs

  • Downloadable therapeutic resources

Learn more about me →

First Session Offer—$50

🌿 New to counselling?

Your first full session is just $50 (normally $100).

This is a gentle, supportive way to begin—no pressure, no obligation.

Simply come as you are and take the first step toward healing.
💬 Sessions are online, private, and sensitive to your beliefs and values.

Who I Help

I work with women recovering from betrayal, sexual abuse, burnout, and toxic religion—including those navigating childhood trauma, people-pleasing, or the lasting effects of high-control, emotionally harmful environments.

If traditional talk therapy feels intimidating, we can also explore healing through visual journaling, therapeutic art, or reflective storytelling.

FREE DOWNLOADS

My Gift to You

If you are not sure where to start, these reflective resources are designed to help you begin to process pain and restore peace.

  • Free email delivery

Bad Things Happened: Where Were You, God?

  • Download
  • 1 file

This honest devotional explores heartache, silence, and faith after trauma—inviting you to bring your raw questions to a God who still sees and cares.

  • Free email delivery

When Trust is Wounded

  • Download
  • 1 file

A gentle guide for women healing from betrayal—offering journaling prompts, scripture, and creative reflection to help you reclaim your voice and peace.

  • Free email delivery

The Ache to Be Enough

  • Download
  • 1 file

If you’re weary from striving and still wondering if you measure up, this soulful resource offers compassionate truth to soothe the inner critic and remind you of your worth.

Find the Online Support That’s Right for You

Explore the support that feels most helpful right now.

Online Counselling

Trauma-sensitive counselling and storywork for women—especially those processing sexual abuse, betrayal trauma, church hurt, or deep emotional exhaustion.

[ Explore Counselling ]

Creative Healing

Expressive sessions using journaling, art, and visual storytelling. Creativity can be a powerful—and even enjoyable—way to release emotions, process pain and rediscover hope.

[ Creative Healing ]

Express, Explore, Restore

Creative Healing for Survivors of Harm

Healing isn’t always easy—but it doesn’t have to be harsh. Creative therapies like art and journaling give you space to play, reflect, and heal—engaging both your heart and mind. Through expressive creativity, you can safely explore emotions and uncover insights in a way that feels authentic, restorative, and deeply personal.

What You Can Expect Here

You don’t have to share everything at once. You don’t need to have the right words. This space is designed for safety—not pressure.

Healing isn’t about performing strength or pushing down pain. It’s about returning to who you truly are—with safety, honesty, and grace.

I work with women who have experienced:

  • Harmful relationships

  • Toxic religion or harmful systems

  • Emotional and psychological burnout from caregiving, ministry, or missions

  • Sexual abuse or childhood sexual abuse (CSA)

  • The long shadow of betrayal—from people or institutions you once trusted

If your story holds complexity, confusion, or grief—you’re not broken.You’re carrying more than most will ever know.

And healing is still possible.

Support You Can Trust

Qualified. Experienced. Registered.

Choosing the right support is important, and I am committed to providing a compassionate and professional space for your healing journey. My approach is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and deeply respectful of your lived experience—integrating counselling, creative therapies, and spiritual insight when appropriate.

  • BA (Psychology), Post Grad Cert (Human Services), Diploma of Counselling, Diploma of Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapy

  • Registered Counsellor: Australian Counselling Association (ACA) - Level 1

  • I commit to regular ongoing training, supervision, and professional development.

  • Trauma-informed practice

  • I bring my experience of living, working and volunteering in:

    • Cross-cultural environments with vulnerable demographics 

    • Large & small ministry & non-profit organisations

    • The education space as a chaplain to disengaging high school students

Resources for Your Healing

Online resources designed to help you move forward with clarity and peace.

The Blog

Encouragement and reflections, step-by-step practical strategies, and honest conversations about topics like burnout, healthy boundaries, and creative healing.

Helpful Resources

Downloadable PDFs, visual journaling prompts, online workshops and programs, and tools to support your journey from pain to peace.

COMING SOON

Workshops & Programs

Gentle support is on the way.

If you're not ready for counselling—but still long to process your story, find your voice, or explore your healing—you’ll soon have access to a range of self-paced workshops and creative healing programs.

These upcoming offerings are designed especially for women navigating:

  • Sexual abuse or childhood trauma

  • People-pleasing, perfectionism, or boundary struggles

  • Overwhelm, emotional exhaustion, or a loss of joy

  • Church hurt or religious burnout

Each experience will weave together reflective journaling, therapeutic art, and trauma-informed care—helping you gently move from survival to restoration.

These programs will be flexible, private, and created with heart.

💌 Want to be the first to know when they’re released?
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Online Therapeutic Workshops

Engage in online therapeutic workshops designed to nurture healing, creativity, and self-reflection—all from the comfort of your own home.

Online Therapeutic Programs

Dive deeper with online therapeutic programs that offer structured guidance, creative healing practices, and reflective exercises to support lasting transformation at your own pace.

Consultation & Workshops for Organisations

Trauma-informed workshops and consultations to help organisations navigate burnout, trauma, and compassion fatigue. Equip your team with practical tools and strategies to foster resilience, renewal, and sustainable care.

Questions

Not Sure Where to Begin?

If you have any questions about counselling, workshops, or finding the right support—I’d love to hear from you.

Whether you're unsure what you need, want to check if we're a good fit, or just need a little clarity before booking, you’re warmly invited to reach out.

📧 Email me directly at admin@yourstoryint.com

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Stay Connected & Encouraged

From time to time, I’ll send you updates—including new blog posts, creative tools, reflective prompts, and healing resources to support your wellbeing.

You're signing up to receive emails from Amanda Butel: admin@yourstoryint.com. Check your Spam folder where new emails sometimes like to hide. You can subscribe at any time.

A Safe Space to Heal

You can expect a space that honours your story.
One that holds both pain and possibility.
One where you're met with compassion, not clichés.

My approach is:

  • Trauma-informed

  • Grounded in safety, trust, and curiosity

  • Centred around your story, your pace, and your voice

  • Open to creative expression, reflection, and rest

  • Faith-sensitive (if desired)

Why does this matter?

Because many women have been told to minimise their pain, perform their healing, or stay silent about what hurt them. But true healing happens as you’re allowed to feel, question, unravel—and rebuild in the presence of compassion.

Counselling Approaches

One size does not fit all when it comes to counselling. Each person’s experiences, needs, and healing journey are unique, which is why I take a personalised approach, tailoring our sessions to what feels most helpful and supportive for you.

Why Healing Matters

Healing isn't about fixing yourself or ticking off a checklist of 'self-improvement' tasks. It’s about becoming who you were created to be—acknowledging, processing, releasing, cultivating, and nurturing the parts of you that need love, truth, and restoration.

Practice Policies

Integrity is at the heart of my counselling practice, ensuring support that is ethical, transparent, and aligned with your well-being and industry best practices. These policies honour your experience, protect your privacy, and create a safe space for healing.

Finding Peace Starts with One Step

You don’t have to know all the answers. You don’t have to be “ready.”

You just need one step—a beginning that honours where you are now.

💬 Sessions take place online through a secure video or text chat platform, allowing you to connect from the comfort of your own space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for your interest. I hope this helps bring clarity to your questions.

1. What can I expect from counselling with Amanda?

Counselling is a safe, supportive space where we work together to navigate the challenges, wounds, or questions that brought you here. I take a collaborative, strengths-based approach, meaning your feedback, experiences, and goals shape our sessions. My role is to encourage and equip you with tools for healing and growth.

I also offer creative options, such as therapeutic art, journaling, and reflective exercises, for those who find artistic expression helpful in processing emotions.

If you enjoy creativity, we can make the healing process both meaningful and enjoyable—perhaps even fun!

2. Why do you offer online counselling instead of in-person sessions?

Online counselling provides flexibility and accessibility for both clients and counsellors. For clients, it means:

  • Increased convenience – No travel time or expenses, and sessions can fit more easily into your schedule.

  • Privacy and comfort – You can engage in therapy from a safe, familiar space.

  • Reduced stigma – You don’t need to visit a physical clinic, which can make seeking support feel more approachable.

  • Expanded reach – You can access services even if you live in a rural area or have mobility limitations.

For me, online sessions also create a balanced work-life rhythm, allowing me to be fully present with each client while maintaining a sustainable practice.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are in a situation involving family violence, your safety and well-being are my top priorities. In such cases, we’ll work together to determine whether online sessions are a suitable and secure option for you. This decision will be made collaboratively, considering any safety concerns, therapeutic needs, and available resources.

3. What types of issues can I bring to counselling?

I work with women facing a variety of challenges, including:

  • Sexual abuse & trauma

  • Betrayal (infidelity, relational or spiritual betrayal)

  • Church hurt and religious abuse

  • Anxiety, overwhelm, and burnout

  • Grief, loss, and transition

  • Identity and self-worth struggles

  • Boundaries and people-pleasing

If your situation requires specialist care or medical support, I can help you find the right resources.

4. What if I’m not sure what I need, but I know something isn’t right?

That’s completely okay. Many clients start counselling with a general sense of struggle or unease but aren’t sure how to put it into words. Part of our work together is helping you gain clarity on what’s happening internally and how to move forward with peace and confidence.

Let’s start with a conversation. Bring a cuppa, and we can explore what’s on your heart.

5. Will you give me advice or tell me what to do?

My role is not to dictate decisions but to walk alongside you, helping you uncover the best path forward.

I offer insights, tools, and reflections to support your journey, but ultimately, your healing and choices remain in your hands.

I cannot and will not make decisions on your behalf.

6. Do you provide counselling for couples?

At this time, I focus on working with women individually. However, if your healing journey involves relational concerns (such as recovering from betrayal), we can explore ways to support your personal growth and decision-making.

While I don’t currently provide couples counselling, I can share resources or referrals if needed.

7. How long does counselling usually last?

The number of sessions varies depending on your needs and goals. Some clients find clarity and relief in just a few sessions, while others engage in longer-term support.

We’ll regularly review your progress and adjust as needed.

If we don’t feel like you’re moving toward your goals, we can adjust our approach or discuss alternative support options.

8. Will I need to do “homework” between sessions?

Healing and growth require intention beyond our conversations. I may encourage you to reflect, journal, or try specific exercises between sessions to help you apply what we discuss. These are always designed to be helpful, not overwhelming.

Think of it as gentle encouragement rather than a chore. These exercises are designed to support your healing, not add to your stress.

9. Is what I share kept confidential?

Yes. Confidentiality is a key part of the counselling relationship.

What you share in sessions stays private, except in situations where I am legally or ethically required to report concerns (such as risk of harm to yourself or others).

We will go over confidentiality details in your counselling contract before we begin.

When you book a session, you will be emailed a Counselling Agreement. Please read it carefully and ask me any questions.

10. How do I book a session, and what are the costs?

You can book a session directly through this website, under the “Counselling” section.

My standard rate is $100 AUD per 60-minute session.

Discounted rate: $80 AUD for pension card holders and full-time volunteers/missionaries.

First Session Offer: Your first full session is just $50—a gentle, no-pressure way to begin.

If finances are a concern, please feel free to reach out. I’m happy to discuss flexible options.

11. What if I need to cancel or reschedule?

Life happens! If you need to reschedule, please give at least 48 hours’ notice so I can offer the time to someone else.

To respect both our time, missed appointments or late cancellations may incur a small fee ($20), as outlined in the counselling contract.

Each session is allocated a set block of time.

Please be punctual so we get every minute of your session together.

12. Do you work with Christian clients?

Yes. I welcome women from all backgrounds. When requested, I can integrate Christian values and Biblical principles into our sessions.

My priority is creating a safe, respectful space where you feel supported in your healing journey—no matter where you are in your faith or beliefs.

You are so welcome!

13. If I ask for Christian counselling, how is it different from regular counselling?

Christian counselling integrates faith with professional therapeutic approaches.

While I use evidence-based counselling techniques, I can also offer a Biblical perspective for those who desire it. This means we might explore how God’s truth and grace intersect with your healing journey. 

However, the sessions are tailored to your needs, and you are always in control of how much faith-based discussion you would like to include.

To learn more about my Counselling Approach, click here.

14. How do I know if you’re the right counsellor for me?

I agree that it is important to find the right counsellor for you.

A good counselling relationship is built on trust and connection.

You can find out more about me and my counselling experience and approach through reading more about me and my counselling approach on this website.

You can also book a discounted First Session ($50 AUD for 60 mins) to see if this type of counselling support is the right fit for you.

15. I feel nervous about starting counselling. Is that normal?

Absolutely. Taking this step is brave, and it’s natural to feel uncertain. My goal is to create a warm, non-judgmental space where you feel safe to share at your own pace. 

You’re not alone. I’m here to walk alongside you with support and understanding.

If You Need Immediate Support...

You are not alone.

If you are in crisis or need urgent help, please reach out to a crisis support service. Click below for immediate assistance and support from professionals who are available 24/7.

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