Strong Foundation Support

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Strong Foundation Support Hi, I’m Allan, a counsellor based in Cairns. I help people make sense of what’s going on in their lives and discover their own strategies to move forward.

Face-to-face and online counselling Australia-wide. Private and NDIS clients welcome. Hi, I’m Allan, the founder of Strong Foundations Support. I’m passionate about empowering people with disabilities to achieve greater independence and live fulfilling lives. As someone who has overcome challenges myself, I understand the importance of tailored support and encouragement. Through Strong Foundations Support, I aim to provide compassionate, person-centred services that focus on building skills, confidence, and opportunities for my clients. Helping others achieve their goals is not just my profession it’s my purpose. Together, we can build a strong foundation for your future. Qualifications and Experience:

Bachelor of Counselling (currently studying)
Advanced Diploma of Community Services
Certificate IV in Disability
Certificate IV in Mental Health
Certificate III in Disability
6+ years of experience working in NDIS support coordination, mentoring, and participant empowerment
Lived experience navigating disability challenges and fostering independence

Why doesn't my teenager listen to me?It's a question many parents ask, especially when conversations seem to turn into a...
17/10/2026

Why doesn't my teenager listen to me?

It's a question many parents ask, especially when conversations seem to turn into arguments, one-word answers or a bedroom door closing.

But sometimes, what looks like a teenager refusing to listen is actually something else.

They might be feeling overwhelmed, struggling to explain what's going on, wanting more independence or feeling like nobody understands their point of view.

And sometimes, parents and teenagers are both trying so hard to be heard that neither feels listened to.

As a counsellor, I believe it's important to understand what's happening underneath the behaviour, rather than focusing only on the behaviour itself.

Counselling can give young people a confidential space to talk about what's happening in their lives, explore their emotions and develop healthier ways to communicate and manage challenges.

At Strong Foundation Support, I provide individual counselling for young people aged 14 and over, as well as adults.

📍 Face-to-face counselling in Cairns City
💻 Phone and video counselling available
💬 Live chat counselling also available
💰 $110 per 50-minute session

If you're a parent concerned about your teenager, or a young person finding things difficult, you're welcome to get in touch to discuss how counselling may help.

🌐 www.strongfoundationsupport.com

Greg Chadwick

15/10/2026

Someone might come to counselling because they're stressed, getting frustrated easily or feeling overwhelmed.
It's tempting to jump straight into solutions, but I believe there's something important we need to do first: understand what's actually happening.
Is it pressure at work? Responsibilities at home? Something that's been building up over time?
The same problem can affect two people very differently.
In my counselling work, I take time to listen, ask questions and explore what's contributing to someone's difficulties before we look at strategies that might help.
If you're looking for counselling in Cairns, I offer face-to-face appointments, as well as phone, video and live chat sessions.
https://www.strongfoundationsupport.com/

Day 22 of

14/10/2026

Can someone have support workers visiting every day and still feel incredibly lonely?

Absolutely.

Something we don't talk about enough in the disability community is the lack of human affection and connection.

Some people with disabilities may go years without something as simple as a hug.

They might have people helping them shower, get dressed, prepare meals and attend appointments. But having someone there to provide support isn't necessarily the same as having someone who chooses to spend time with you.

And this isn't about blaming support workers. Many do wonderful work and build meaningful connections with the people they support.

But there's a difference between receiving practical assistance and having friendships, affection and relationships outside of paid support.

As a counsellor, I'd want to understand what loneliness actually means to someone before suggesting they get out more or join a social group.

Because sometimes loneliness isn't about having nobody around.

It's about missing the feeling of being wanted, loved and connected.

Do you think we talk enough about loneliness and human connection in the disability community?

Day 20 of

Just because something feels unsafe doesn't always mean you're in danger.One thing trauma can do is teach your brain and...
13/10/2026

Just because something feels unsafe doesn't always mean you're in danger.

One thing trauma can do is teach your brain and body to stay alert, even when the original threat is no longer there.

A raised voice, someone's tone, a sudden noise or even an uncomfortable conversation might trigger a strong emotional response.

Your heart might race. You might become angry, anxious, defensive or want to get away.

Here's something worth remembering:

**Your body's alarm system can react to reminders of past danger, not just danger happening right now.**

When you notice this happening, try something simple.

Look around and name three things you can see. Feel your feet against the floor or your body against the chair. Take a moment to notice where you are.

Then ask yourself:

"What's happening around me right now, and what do I actually need?"

This can help you reconnect with your surroundings and recognise whether you're responding to something happening now or a reminder of something from the past.

It won't work for everyone or every situation, and you don't need to force yourself to feel calm.

But understanding the difference between a reminder of danger and actual danger can be an important part of understanding your reactions.

I'm Allan from Strong Foundation Support Counselling in Cairns.

www.strongfoundationsupport.com

Would you find it easier to write about what's going on rather than talk about it?Not everyone feels comfortable discuss...
11/10/2026

Would you find it easier to write about what's going on rather than talk about it?

Not everyone feels comfortable discussing personal things out loud. Sometimes it's easier to put your thoughts into words when you have a moment to think about what you want to say.

That's why I'm now offering **Live Chat Counselling** through Strong Foundation Support.

It's a real-time counselling session where we communicate through secure written messages. No phone calls, no video and no need to speak out loud.

You're talking directly with me, Allan, a qualified counsellor, not an AI chatbot.

Sessions are $110 for 50 minutes and available Australia-wide.

Like any counselling format, live chat has benefits and limitations. I can't see your body language or facial expressions, or hear your tone of voice, but for some people, writing may be a more comfortable way to communicate.

If you've been thinking about counselling but prefer typing to talking, this could be an option worth exploring.

You can also arrange a free 15-minute introduction to ask questions before booking.

Find out more:
https://www.strongfoundationsupport.com/online-chat-counselling

Today is World Mental Health Day.This year's theme is "Together We Thrive".Sometimes the people around us are carrying m...
10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day.

This year's theme is "Together We Thrive".

Sometimes the people around us are carrying more than we realise.

They might be going to work, looking after their families and getting through their daily responsibilities, while dealing with anxiety, stress, grief or things they haven't spoken about.

We don't always know what someone else is going through.

That's why taking the time to check in, listen and have a genuine conversation can make a difference.

As a counsellor, I help people make sense of what's going on in their lives and discover their own strategies to move forward.

If things have been difficult lately, you don't have to work everything out on your own.

Strong Foundation Support Counselling
📍 Face-to-face in Cairns
📞 Phone and video Australia-wide

www.strongfoundationsupport.com
0423 763 712

08/10/2026

A shower and an appointment can take up more than your morning. Sometimes they take all the energy you had for the day.

Then you look at what still needs doing and think, “I should be doing more.”

Before adding more pressure, ask yourself: “What needs to happen today, and what can wait?”

Leave room for the recovery time too.

If guilt or overwhelm is making everyday life harder, we can talk through it. Counselling in Cairns or by phone and video across Australia.

Message me to arrange a time.

Video 19

06/10/2026

Do you ever replay a conversation hours later and start picking apart everything you said?

“Did that sound stupid?”
“Did I upset them?”
“Why did I say it like that?”

Sometimes there is genuinely something we need to go back and fix. But often, the conversation is already finished and our mind is still trying to find a problem.

A useful question can be:

“Is there actually something I need to do about this?”

If there is, deal with it. If there isn’t, you might need to practise letting the conversation stay finished.

If overthinking conversations is taking up a lot of your time, counselling can give you somewhere to work through what keeps pulling your mind back there.

Strong Foundation Support
Counselling in Cairns and online across Australia.



Video #19

Not every uncomfortable counselling session means something is wrong.Sometimes counselling can feel difficult because yo...
05/10/2026

Not every uncomfortable counselling session means something is wrong.

Sometimes counselling can feel difficult because you’re talking about things you may have avoided for a long time.

But there are also some genuine red flags worth paying attention to.

Things like:

• Poor or confusing boundaries
• Not explaining confidentiality
• Regularly being distracted during your session
• Making the session mostly about themselves
• Judging or shaming you
• Getting defensive when you say something isn’t working
• Misleading you about their qualifications or experience
• Pressuring you to keep booking sessions
• Making promises they can’t realistically guarantee

A counsellor may sometimes challenge you or ask a difficult question, but you should still feel respected and able to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.

And sometimes there doesn’t need to be a major red flag at all. You might simply not connect with that counsellor, and that’s okay too.

I’ve written a new blog looking at counselling red flags, what good counselling should feel like, and what you can do if something doesn’t feel right.

You can read it on the Strong Foundation Support website.

02/10/2026

Do you find it hard to say no to your NDIS support worker? You might worry about upsetting them or seeming ungrateful.

This video shares simple words you can use to say what you want or ask for more time to decide.

I’m Allan from Strong Foundation Support. I provide counselling in Cairns and online across Australia.

We can work on setting boundaries, speaking up and the guilt you might feel afterwards.

Book a free 15-minute chat:
https://www.strongfoundationsupport.com/make-a-booking

day 18

Address

Cairns, QLD
4870

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 8pm
Saturday 2pm - 5pm
Sunday 2pm - 5pm

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