- Stress and anxiety
- Relationship difficulties
- Grief and loss
About Ian
Ian McGrath is a PACFA counsellor in Australia with 18 years of professional experience. He works with people facing stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, family conflict, grief and depression. Ian focuses on practical ways to manage symptoms and improve day-to-day coping.
He listens for the concrete problems that make social situations or connection hard. Sessions aim to identify small, testable changes people can try between meetings. Ian uses straightforward conversation and paced exercises rather than technical jargon.
Clients can expect short-term strategies for managing anxiety alongside work on longer standing patterns in relationships and attachment. He helps people notice how habits of thinking and behaving keep problems going, then practices different choices in session. The approach is hands-on and task-focused.
Ian has worked across community counselling and mental health settings. That experience shapes a practical style that suits people who want clear options and next steps. He also supports those coping with chronic illness, caregiver stress, body image concerns and blended family challenges.
Language used in sessions is plain and direct. Meetings cover what is happening now, what has helped in the past, and what to try next. To get started, people follow the service matching process and schedule an initial appointment.
How therapeutic methods work in remote sessions
Ian typically draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on skills and behaviour change. One common approach is behavioural work that helps people practice approaching feared social situations in small steps. This method breaks larger goals into manageable tasks and builds tolerance over time.Another commonly used technique is cognitive work that looks at unhelpful thinking patterns. This involves noticing automatic thoughts, testing them against real experience, and trying alternative ways of thinking to reduce anxiety and avoidance.
Finding the right combination of techniques is a collaborative process. The therapist will help clients choose methods that match their concerns, goals and comfort with different activities. That decision is reviewed and adjusted as work progresses.
Practical benefits of remote sessions include fitting meetings into a busy week and reducing travel time. Because the specific session formats are not detailed here, confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to schedule shorter check-ins or regular appointments, and it supports practicing techniques between sessions to see what helps most.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
18+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflict, grief and depression, plus several related concerns such as attachment and caregiver stress.
What is his general approach in sessions?
Sessions are conversational and task-focused, emphasising practical steps and exercises that can be tried between meetings.
How much experience does he have?
He has 18 years of professional work experience in counselling and mental health settings.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is registered with PACFA and practises in Australia.
Are sessions offered in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can international clients book sessions?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees and payments handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.