Judith McFarlane

PACFA (Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia) Registered Clinical Counsellor

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology & Creative Writing), Diploma of Music, Graduate Diploma of Counselling

Judith McFarlane is a PACFA-accredited counsellor and experienced group facilitator with seven years’ counselling experience across hospital, community health, and Employee Assistance Program settings. Judith holds postgraduate qualifications in counselling and an undergraduate degree in psychology. Her therapeutic practice is integrated, strengths-based, and trauma-informed, drawing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), motivational interviewing, and person-centred approaches. As a mother herself, Judith brings lived experience and professional expertise to her growing specialisation in perinatal mental health. She has completed COPE’s Basic Skills in Perinatal Mental Health (2023 guidelines) and has a strong interest in matrescence and Winnicott’s concept of the “good enough mother.” Judith’s current focus is on supporting mothers in early parenthood through both individual counselling and non-clinical group programs, with a particular emphasis on self-compassion, identity transitions, and reducing stigma around perinatal mental health.

Judith has supported clients struggling with:

• Matrescence (transition to motherhood) and patrescence (transition to fatherhood)

• Mild anxiety and depression

• Addictive behaviours and substance abuse

• Life transitions 

• Workplace issues 

• Relationship issues

• Fertility issues 

• Grief and loss