So why are we different?​

As counsellors, our role is to help you understand and express what you are feeling through therapy. By working together, we develop a path for you to move forward to reach your goal. 

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At First Response Counselling we see you as a person, with a unique story, not a label.  It is for this reason that we provide you with the opportunity to tell us how you are feeling in a safe, friendly and non-judgemental environment.  In order to support you, we utilize and teach you techniques attached to therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Mindfulness to name a few.

 

Kirsten Mackenzie 

​Kirsten has experience working in both the public and private sectors.  As well as working with private clients, Kirsten has experience working in public mental health, acute care, and community services.  She currently works in a forensic setting as a wellbeing officer for staff where she delivers individual assessment and therapeutic consultations, critical incident debriefing and follow-up, assistance to managers regarding staff wellbeing and return to work requirements, and delivery of individual and small group training to staff on mental health and general wellbeing.  

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Kirsten's professional interests include anxiety, depression, aggression and anger management, bullying, trauma, self-harm, unresolved grief and suicide.

 

Qualifications

• Masters of Professional Psychology

• Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Psychology)

• Bachelor of Science (Psychology)

• Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Mental Health)

• Facilitator: Family Connections Program (Borderline Personality Disorder)

• Mental Health First Aid

• Psychological First Aid

• ASIST Suicide First Aid

• Advanced Training in Suicide Prevention

• Qualified ACT Therapist 

• Qualified EMDR Therapist

• Qualified Schema Therapist 

 

Memberships

• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency 

• Medicare

• WorkCover

• Concession Cards

• DVA

• Private Health Memberships

  • Medibank

  • BUPA

  • Police Health

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Brendan Anderson

Brendan is a highly experienced counsellor with an extensive background in forensic practice across both juvenile and adult public sector settings. In private practice, he works with adolescents and adults, providing evidence-based, trauma-informed therapy for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, anger and aggression, bullying, trauma and PTSD, self-harm, addiction, unresolved grief, and suicidal ideation.

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Brendan has a long-standing history as a school-based counsellor and has delivered services across multiple Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), supporting clients with personal, occupational, and critical-incident related stress. His clinical approach is grounded in safety, collaboration, and outcome-focused care, with a particular interest in complex and developmental trauma, attachment difficulties, and emotion regulation.

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Qualifications and Professional Training

• Bachelor of Social Science (Counselling)

• Child Development and Effective Parenting

• Psychological First Aid

• Advanced Training in Suicide Prevention

• Facilitator, Family Connections Program (Borderline Personality Disorder)

• EMDR Qualified Therapist (Levels 1 & 2)

• EMDR Advanced Training: Complex Trauma

• EMDR: Structural Dissociation

• EMDR: Grief and Loss

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Qualified Therapist

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Qualified Therapist

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Professional Experience

• Extensive experience as a School-Based Counsellor

• EAP clinician for international and Australian corporations and government departments

• Specialist experience in critical incident response and post-trauma support

• Clinical work with Queensland Government agencies, including the Department of Child Safety and Bravehearts

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Professional Memberships

• Member, Australian Counselling Association (Level 3)

• Registered Private Health Fund Provider

• Workcover Qld Provider

• Member, EMDR Association of Australia

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Brendan offers a compassionate, highly skilled, and trauma-informed approach, supporting clients to develop emotional stability, process traumatic experiences, and achieve meaningful and lasting change.

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