Support for life in the bush
ABOUT US
About Al, Farmer. Dad. Counsellor.
I’m based in Mansfield, Victoria, and run Rural Counselling Australia, from here. I see clients locally and across Australia through phone and telehealth sessions, because no one should have to travel half a day just to talk. I grew up on the land. I’ve driven long roads. I’ve pushed through droughts, deadlines, and heartbreak. And I’ve been to the edge, so when I say I get the cost of asking for help, I mean it with every fibre.
With a Diploma of Counselling and a Diploma of Agribusiness, I bring both sides of the fence together, professional know-how and the kind of understanding that only comes from years working on farms. I’ve also taken that experience to the public stage, speaking at the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and addressing Parliament about the realities of getting help in the bush.
It’s this mix, training, advocacy, and lived rural life, that shapes how I work. My sessions are plain-spoken, confidential, and practical, focused on real-world tools that actually help you get through the day.
Training & Qualifications
Al’s accreditations include:
Diploma of Counselling
Diploma of Agribusiness
Trained in ACT, CBT, Mindfulness, and Solution-Focused Therapy
Experienced in Men’s Mental Health, Stress & Burnout, AOD, Relationships, and Rural Workplace (EAP) Support
Trained in cultural awareness of Indigenous Australians.