Top Reasons to Choose Priscilla at Rising Phoenix Counselling
- Priscilla Schwartzman
- Sep 19
- 7 min read
Rising Phoenix Counselling offers online counselling and psychotherapy Australia-wide. Priscilla, a PACFA-registered Gestalt therapist, provides safe, flexible support for anxiety, burnout, depression, perimenopause, career challenges, and LGBTQIA+ issues. With professional training and 20+ years of leadership and mentoring experience, she brings both expertise and lived understanding to help clients explore what matters most.
What You’ll Gain from Online Counselling with Priscilla
A safe, supportive space to pause, reflect, and feel truly heard
Greater self-awareness through Gestalt therapy and present-moment focus
Flexible online sessions you can access from anywhere in Australia
Guidance that blends professional expertise with real-world lived experience
Practical insights you can bring into everyday life, relationships, and work
A simple, supportive first step: book a free 15-minute connection call to explore whether counselling feels right for you
Choosing the right counsellor can feel overwhelming. Beyond qualifications, what matters most is finding someone who offers a steady compassionate presence and meets you where you are. At Rising Phoenix Counselling, Priscilla (she/her) brings warmth, professional training, and lived experience into every session, so clients feel supported in ways that are practical, compassionate, and real. Her practice is accessible, confidential, and tailored to individual needs.
“Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about un-becoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.” Paulo Coelho
What Is Counselling and How Can It Help?
Counselling offers a gentle space to pause and breathe, a quiet refuge where thoughts and feelings can unfold with someone who truly listens. It is a place to let go of the weight that has been carried alone, and where a trained professional meets each client exactly where they are.
Whether navigating grief, managing anxiety, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life, counselling can help people discover new ways of moving through these experiences with greater clarity and self-compassion.
Across Australia, from Sydney to regional towns, online counselling makes professional support accessible. With flexible video or phone sessions, clients can connect from their own space, wherever they call home. Counselling is not about rushing to answers. It is about creating the space for personal wisdom to emerge, for healing to unfold in its own time, and for individuals to step forward with greater self-understanding.
A Safe, Confidential, and Supportive Counselling Space
Therapy is not just about talking. It is about feeling truly seen and understood. Priscilla creates a calm, confidential environment where clients can explore their thoughts and emotions without pressure. Many people say they feel at ease with her from the very first conversation.
Counselling at Rising Phoenix is confidential, non-judgemental, and always follows PACFA ethical guidelines. This space is also supportive for those navigating challenges such as anxiety, burnout, depression, LGBTQIA+ experiences, perimenopause, career changes, and mentoring needs, with care taken to ensure safety, respect, and understanding at all times.
Why a Personal, Client-Focused Approach Matters in Therapy
No two people arrive at therapy in the same way. That is why Priscilla works at the client’s pace, following what feels most present. Whether the focus is on deeper exploration or practical strategies for stress, clients will never feel pushed or rushed.
The counselling process often involves identifying goals that clients work towards with their counsellor. Counselling can help with a wide range of emotional and relational challenges by providing support and guidance. It can also support individuals and partners in navigating relationship issues, and can provide treatment for anxiety and depression.
Gestalt Therapy Explained: Awareness, Presence, and Connection
Gestalt therapy is centred on awareness, presence, and connection, paying attention to how people experience the world in the here and now. Priscilla offers a client-focused, collaborative approach informed by Gestalt therapy.
She also integrates somatic awareness and tools drawn from CBT. This allows sessions to include both reflective exploration and practical strategies that can be applied in daily life, always tailored to each client’s needs.
Accessible Online Counselling in Sydney and Regional Australia
Life can be busy, unpredictable, or geographically challenging. Online counselling removes barriers, whether someone lives in Sydney, a regional centre, or further afield. With flexible telehealth sessions, professional support is accessible from home, without the need for travel. Phone sessions are also available if preferred.
Counselling Expertise Backed by 20 Years of Leadership and Mentoring
Priscilla holds a Master’s in Gestalt Therapy and is a PACFA-registered counsellor and psychotherapist. Alongside her clinical training, she brings more than 20 years of leadership and mentoring experience. This unique combination means she can support not only personal growth but also workplace and relational challenges with depth and perspective.
Professional counselling is a safe and confidential collaboration between qualified counsellors and clients. It is always a good idea to check that any counsellor is registered with a professional body such as PACFA or ACA.
Warmth, Presence, and Care in Every Counselling Session
Qualifications matter, but so does connection. Many describe feeling calm and safe around Priscilla, supported to be themselves, and encouraged to explore parts of their story they had not voiced before.
Clients should feel comfortable with their counsellor after a few sessions. Counselling can make a real difference in people’s lives by helping them navigate challenges and improve their overall wellbeing.
How to Choose the Right Counsellor Online
There often comes a moment when something inside signals it is time to seek support. Choosing a counsellor is not only about qualifications but also about how it feels to sit with them. Do you feel safe, understood, and invited to explore at your own pace?
Many counsellors offer a free connection call. At Rising Phoenix Counselling, Priscilla encourages people to take up this gentle introduction as a way to sense whether her approach and presence feel right.
How Therapy with Priscilla Supports Mental Health and Growth
Working with Priscilla can support clients to:
Build clarity in times of transition
Manage anxiety, burnout, or ADHD
Explore identity shifts such as perimenopause or midlife changes
Strengthen boundaries and relationships
Reconnect with a sense of self and what matters most
Access tailored guidance and resources for families and carers
Receive mentorship and professional guidance during career or leadership challenges
Priscilla also brings more than 20 years of experience in management and leadership, which informs her ability to support clients with career clarity, workplace challenges, and personal development. This mentorship element complements her counselling approach, offering clients both therapeutic support and practical insights to help them navigate complex professional and relational landscapes.
How to Begin Therapy at Rising Phoenix Counselling
Book Your Free 15-Minute Connection Call
Schedule a relaxed, no-obligation connection call to explore whether therapy with Priscilla feels right for you.
Meet Online
Begin your first session through secure video or phone, accessible anywhere across Australia.
Begin Your Journey
Receive ongoing support, practical strategies, and a safe space to explore what matters most, at your own pace.
Journal Prompt
Take a quiet moment today and ask yourself:
If I set aside others’ expectations, what do I most need right now?
Testimonials
All testimonials below are taken directly from Google reviews and shared with permission.
Michael
“I have had the privilege of working with Priscilla as a mentor, and the experience has been truly life-changing. She did not just treat me as a number, but genuinely cared about my growth both professionally and personally. Always available for a catch-up, she provided guidance and support that helped shape the person I am today. The impact she has had on my life has been huge, and I am deeply grateful for her dedication and care.”
Shae
“I cannot speak highly enough of Priscilla. She is genuine, warm, non-judgemental, and deeply passionate about what she does. Her support and guidance have helped me navigate some truly life-changing moments, and the wisdom she shared will stay with me always. What sets her apart is the authenticity of her approach, unlike anything I have experienced before. You can tell she truly loves what she does. Thank you for everything, Priscilla. I sincerely mean it.”
Carla
“Highly recommend. I was very impressed with Priscilla’s ability to connect and give practical advice on how to improve my outlook.”
Bronwyn
“Great listener. Very easy to talk to.”
Ben
“I would highly recommend Priscilla. Very supportive and a great listener.”
Frequently Asked Questions | Rising Phoenix Counselling
Q: Is online counselling effective?
A: Yes. Research and client experience show that telehealth counselling can be just as effective as in-person sessions, especially for concerns such as anxiety, stress, and life transitions.
Q: How do I book a session?
A: Sessions can be booked online or through a free 15-minute connection call via the Rising Phoenix Counselling website. Online sessions are available Australia-wide, with in-person options in Sydney.
Q: What therapy methods does Priscilla use?
A: Priscilla is trained in Gestalt therapy, somatic awareness, and CBT-informed approaches. This means she uses tools drawn from these methods while working in a collaborative, client-focused way.
Q: Do I need a referral to start therapy?
A: No referral is required. Any adult in Australia can self-book a session.
Q: Are sessions confidential?
A: Yes. All sessions are confidential and follow PACFA ethical guidelines.
Conclusion: Why Choose Priscilla for Online Counselling
Finding the right counsellor is not just about credentials, it is about connection. At Rising Phoenix Counselling, Priscilla offers professional expertise, lived understanding, and a calm presence that allows clients to explore what matters most. With the flexibility of online counselling, this supportive space can be accessed from anywhere in Australia, at each person’s own pace.
For those ready to begin, the first step is simple. Clients can use the online booking form to arrange an initial session, or start with a free 15-minute connection call to see if the fit feels right.
Want to Keep Exploring?
For those curious about what therapy with Priscilla might look like, Rising Phoenix Counselling offers a free 15-minute connection call. It is a gentle way to meet, ask questions, and explore whether the approach feels right.
If you already feel ready to begin, you can also book an online counselling session directly through the website. All enquiries are held in complete confidence.
