Choosing a therapist is a deeply personal decision, and it often helps to get a sense of who they are before you ever book that first session. In this post, we sat down with Freya, a Gestalt psychotherapist and ecotherapist based on Gadigal Land (Sydney), to learn more about her path into this work and how she supports clients.
What drew you to becoming a therapist, and what do you find most rewarding about the work?
I came to this work through a deep love of creativity and respect for people who make art in a world that doesn't always make room for them. I originally trained as a life coach, but I quickly realised that things like creative block, burnout, and overwhelm aren't just mindset issues - they're often shaped by trauma, culture, and the nervous system. That realisation led me to Gestalt psychotherapy and ecotherapy, which give me a much richer way of holding the complexity I see in the people I work with, and in myself. What I find most rewarding is creating a space where sensitive, deeply feeling people can finally stop performing and just be.
What's your therapeutic approach or style, and what types of concerns or clients do you enjoy working with most?
My approach is relational, somatic, and present-moment led. I draw on Gestalt therapy and ecotherapy to help clients reconnect with their bodies, their truth, and their creative spirit - not by fixing or forcing anything, but by gently staying with what's already there. I work primarily with sensitive, soulful creatives: artists, performers, and deep feelers who are carrying more than they can name. Clients often come to me with creative blocks, burnout, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, nervous system fatigue, or a quiet grief for the life or art they didn't get to live.
What's one thing you wish more people knew before starting therapy with you?
You don't need to have the right words, a clear problem statement, or even a plan for what you want to talk about. If you've ever been told you're too much, too sensitive, or too emotional, I want you to know this is a space where those qualities are honored, not pathologised. You don't have to perform here - you just have to show up, and we'll begin wherever you are.
Outside of work, what do you do to unwind or recharge — and how does that show up in how you support your clients?
Nature is a huge part of how I stay grounded, which is part of why I offer sessions both online and outdoors on Gadigal Land through ecotherapy. Spending time connected to the earth and the natural world reminds me how healing it can be to slow down and simply be with what's real, rather than constantly pushing forward. That same philosophy shapes how I work with clients - helping them reconnect with their bodies and their environment as part of the healing process, not just their thoughts. I also love to dance!
What's a piece of advice or a quote that has stuck with you, either personally or professionally?
My own creative journey has been shaped by perfectionism, fear, and the constant worry that I was getting it wrong. As someone who feels things deeply, I've often questioned whether I was "too much" - sensing things no one else seemed to notice, then second-guessing myself. What's stayed with me is the understanding that having a space to bring all of that, unedited, is genuinely powerful. That belief is really the foundation of the work I do now.
Ready to Connect with Freya?
If Freya's approach resonates with you, she's currently welcoming new clients for online sessions and in-person ecotherapy on Gadigal Land. This is an LGBTQIA+ affirming space, open to clients of all genders, backgrounds, and identities.
Schedule your free 15-minute initial conversation to see if she may be a good fit for you.
Freya holds a Graduate Diploma of Psychotherapy and Diploma of Counselling from The Relational Institute, and is PACFA registered. This post is for general informational purposes only and does not establish a therapist–client relationship. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact Lifeline (13 11 14), Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), or Emergency Services (000).