Counselling
Daramalan College has access to four counsellors employed by the College. The role of the counsellor is to focus on the emotional, social and educational well-being of the students. Counsellors welcome contact with students having difficulty with some part of their life, whether or not it affects their school work. Some typical concerns that counsellors work with include: anger, anxiety, behavioural problems, depression, eating problems, family breakdown and family conflict, grief and loss, learning and educational challenges, peer and other social relationships, school avoidance, stress and study skills. As well as individual sessions with students, counsellors can run groups, consult with parents and teachers and make referrals to other services and supports.
Further information on how to access the College counsellors is available for current families in the Pastoral Care section of Daranet.
Please see further information about each of our Counsellors
Bobbie Dawson
Trained in both education and psychology, Bobbie has worked with young people and their parents/carers to build positive relationships, improve student wellbeing and teach tools and strategies needed to navigate various challenges and difficulties that life can throw at us. She sees counselling as an important way to support the wellbeing, mental health and development of young people by recognising and responding to their concerns in a way that is caring, validating, strengths-based and solutions-focused. Originally from the east coast of Canada, Bobbie moved to Canberra in 2010 and is a mum to a young family. Outside of her work, she loves spending time with her family, travelling, exploring new cultures, hiking with her dog and being near the ocean. Bobbie has worked in different roles at Daramalan since 2010 including as a teacher (French, Psychology) and pastoral leader.
Bobbie is registered as a Provisional Psychologist and is completing her internship requirements for general registration. Bobbie’s areas of experience include: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT); Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT); Motivational Interviewing; Mindfulness; Positive Psychology; Positive Coaching Psychology; Solution-Focused Brief Therapy; Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy; Autism/ADHD assessments; and Psychoeducational Assessments.
Armando Robles
Armando is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, has a compassionate approach. He has worked in health services and community organisations, developing a wealth of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families. Armando has training in cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical and behavioural therapy, internal family systems therapy, attachment, and trauma inform approach, EMDR and uses techniques of the gestalt therapy.
Armando has a particular interest and experience working with highly functional neurodivergent individuals.
Armando has completed a Master of Social work at Flinders University. Prior of that, he studied philosophy in Mexico and completed a Theology degree with the Jesuits in Argentina. Previously of being a social worker, Armando was a missionary for 16 years, during which he had the opportunity to travel the world supporting the most vulnerable
Promise Igba
With a bubbly and approachable personality, Promise is a person-centred counsellor with years of experience engaging with children and young people. Promise specialises in using narrative therapy to support young people who are going through various challenges including mental health, social and relationship difficulties. With a postgraduate qualification in Social Work, Promise relies on strengths-based and solution-focused theories to validate and where necessary redirect young people who are going through various challenges. Originally from Nigeria, Promise moved to Australia in 2007 with his family through diplomatic posting. Outside of work, Promise loves spending time with family and friends, playing video games, playing and watching Football, and is a big fan of Arsenal Football Club.
Sally Bunday
Sally Bunday is a person-centred counsellor who is passionate about working with young people, their families and broader support networks.
Sally is an inclusive practitioner with postgraduate qualifications in counselling who works with a wide range of client presentations. She focusses on building strong therapeutic relationships with her clients to support them to overcome life’s challenges and empower them to manage their mental health and wellbeing into the future. Sally works collaboratively with young people to develop strategies and tools to reach their mental health goals, using a number of different therapeutic approaches, including person-centred therapy, strength-based therapy, solution-focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, narrative therapy, gestalt therapy, and creative therapies. Outside of work, Sally loves running, reading, writing and spending time with her two enormous, and very boisterous, dogs. Prior to becoming a counsellor, Sally worked in communications, media and journalism.