About Carly Astill Counselling in Adelaide
Warm, youth focused counselling grounded in care, clarity and small steps
Confidential support with practical tools so young people feel empowered and self-led
Enquire now
Carly Astill
About Carly Astill Counselling
Hello and welcome to Carly Astill Counselling. I support young people from age eleven upward through the twists and turns of adolescence and early adulthood. My style is warm, curious and grounded. I approach counselling with openness and genuine interest in each person’s story, creating a relationship where people feel safe, respected and heard.
The sessions are client-centred and trauma-informed with attention to consent and choice. When you work with me, you can expect clear conversations tailored to suit your goals which include small steps that fit real life, without pressure or judgment. With your consent, brief parent involvement may help keep support at home connected while sessions remain teen-led and confidential.
My story
Counselling grounded in experience and compassion
I have worked with teenagers for over 20 years, including more than ten years as a youth counsellor in Adelaide. Earlier in my career, I partnered with a psychologist to deliver strengths-based programs in high schools across South Australia and saw how early, steady support and simple tools can create change. Today, I provide one-to-one counselling and bring the same mix of warmth and practicality. I listen first and move at a pace that feels safe.
I am 50 years old and a mother of two, and that perspective helps me stay patient and grounded. Sessions are teen-led and confidential. Together, we set clear goals and choose steps that fit for you. The outcomes I wish to achieve are for young people to feel empowered and self-led, more confident in themselves and kinder to themselves, and that families feel more connected and compassionate with each other.
My values
My principles that guide every session
values
Openness and curiosity
Every person is unique. I meet you where you are and stay curious about what matters most to you.
Unconditional positive regard
Acceptance without judgment creates a foundation for healing and growth.
Warmth and genuineness
Genuine care and honest conversation help people feel heard and understood.
Safety and consent
You choose the pace. We review boundaries, privacy and comfort together.
Clarity and steadiness
Simple language, collaborative goals and small steps you can practise between visits.
Partnership with families
Short, agreed parent check-ins keep home support aligned when helpful.
Mission
To provide calm, practical counselling that helps young people feel empowered and self-led, grow confidence to face challenges and practise self-kindness so life feels more positive.
I also aim to strengthen families, so parents feel more connected to their children, understand the underlying causes of behaviour and navigate the tricky moments of parenting with more compassion for themselves and their young person.
working with Carly
How I work with you
I approach counselling with openness and curiosity. I love people and I feel privileged to be part of their journey. I offer warmth, empathy and genuineness, with a desire to build a therapeutic relationship. I believe this is essential for fostering a supportive and healing space for them. I also believe it is necessary to uphold unconditional positive regard for my clients; this entails acceptance of the client without judgement.
My counselling approach
I offer a client-centred, trauma-informed approach shaped by mindfulness-based therapies and Internal Family Systems–informed practise. Together we explore your internal world with curiosity, noticing parts, feelings and protective patterns, and we choose gentle ways to work with them. I often incorporate narrative and expressive tools such as journalling, art and role plays to help people find language for what is happening inside.
What sessions look like
Sessions blend psychoeducation with therapeutic interventions, using real-life examples from home, school, work and friendships so practice feels natural.
Working alongside other supports
I believe in early support to reduce stress where possible. This is a counselling service rather than a clinical psychology service, and I will coordinate with your GP or other providers with consent when more specialist input could help.
What clients say
My clients often tell me they feel heard, validated, connected, safe and that I genuinely care about them. They say they enjoy the spontaneous and present moment discussions that occur in their sessions and that every session is different.
Credentials and quality
I’m a youth counsellor with more than ten years of practice and over 20 years of supporting teenagers. I maintain ongoing supervision, regular professional development and continue postgraduate study to deepen my practice.
Sessions follow clear consent and privacy processes with plain-language explanations of confidentiality and its limits. Methods are evidence-informed and explained simply so people understand why a tool is being used and how to practise it at home.
- Master’s in counselling (Current)
- Post Graduate in Counselling
- Post Certificate in Counselling
- Diploma in Counselling
- Diploma in Transpersonal Counselling
- Reiki 1& 2
- ACA member
Accessibility and inclusivity
The practice welcomes people from diverse backgrounds and aims to shape sessions around what helps each person feel safe.
You can choose the environment and format that helps you feel comfortable. Communication by text, email and a booking system is available for scheduling and updates. Online video and phone calls reduce travel barriers. Walking and talking can suit people who think better while moving. Sensory preferences can be discussed and adjustments made to lighting, seating and pace. If language, neurodiversity, mobility or cultural needs are part of your planning, let me know so the session can be set up in a way that works for you.
Enquire now
Contact Carly
Counselling in Adelaide with local outdoor options
I see clients in Blackwood, Moana, and the Adelaide metropolitan areas, and support young people online across South Australia. Counselling is offered through in-person sessions, online sessions, phone consults, and walk and talk sessions.
For the walk and talk sessions, I typically use beautiful Moana Beach. At Blackwood we can walk amongst the peaceful garden or walk to the Belair National Park, and for Adelaide we can walk to King Rodney Park/Ityamai-Itpina Park.