Strong Foundation Support Counselling

10/03/2026

Really grateful to Cairns Local News for taking the time to share the story behind why I started Strong Foundation Support.

My work as a counsellor is shaped not only by professional experience in the NDIS space since 2018, but also by my own lived experience of disability. I’ve seen first hand how difficult the transition can be for people adjusting to injury, long term health conditions, or major life changes.

One of the biggest challenges people face is not just the practical side of disability, but the loss of identity, purpose and direction that can come with it. That’s where counselling can make a real difference.

Strong Foundation Support was created to provide support during those times of change, particularly when people return to the community and are trying to rebuild their lives.

If you or someone you know is navigating injury, disability, or a difficult period in life, you’re welcome to reach out.

I offer counselling in Cairns and via telehealth, along with a free 15 minute meet and greet to see if it feels like the right fit.

You can read the article here
https://www.cairnslocalnews.com.au/experience-drives-service-2026-03-10?fbclid=IwY2xjawQcy81leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeWwi4Tlpo2PTy8dGmMizjm978aBB1g-kSPE6X5F6DKkIf6sVyRSwelC4lCuM_aem_HRXGjIrFfiIufvnvNWhLcA

And thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. It means a lot.

A CAIRNS counsellor with lived experience of disability has launched a new practice aimed at supporting people adjusting to injury and long-term health conditions.

09/03/2026

There’s been a video circulating recently raising concerns about how some NDIS services are billed, particularly around the idea of “two hour minimum shifts.”

This is something worth talking about.

Many participants and families are told there must be a two hour minimum for services. In reality, this is often a provider policy, not an NDIS rule. The NDIS generally expects services to be billed based on the actual support delivered.

This issue is not just about cleaning. It can apply to a wide range of supports including personal care, community access, and other services funded through the NDIS.

When blanket minimums are applied without flexibility, participants can end up paying for more time than the support actually required. Over time that can eat into funding that was meant to help them in other areas of their life.

Participants deserve clear information about how services are billed. They deserve transparency, honest conversations and the ability to choose providers who work in a way that respects their funding.

For our services, we do not enforce two hour minimum shifts. We believe supports should reflect what is actually needed and what is actually delivered.

The NDIS exists to support people living with disability. The focus should always remain on the participant, not the convenience of the provider.

Transparency matters.
Fair billing matters.
And the people relying on these supports matter most.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDPsRyV5lQk&t=797s

Sign the petition: https://www.ndisexposed.com/petitionThe National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a $50+ billion Australian program that funds suppor...

08/03/2026

Some days progress doesn’t look like big steps forward.
Sometimes it simply means getting through the day, taking a breath, and showing up again tomorrow.

For many people navigating stress, injury, disability, grief or major life changes, even small steps matter. They are still progress.

If this resonates with you, feel free to reach out.
Happy to have a quick conversation to see if counselling might help.
If someone you know needs support, you’re welcome to share this.

07/03/2026

You never really know what someone is carrying behind the scenes. Life can bring stress, injury, grief, disability, major changes and moments where things simply feel overwhelming.

Sometimes the strongest thing a person can do is keep going, even when the day feels heavy. Support, understanding and the right strategies can make a real difference when you're navigating difficult seasons.

If this resonates with you, feel free to reach out.
Happy to have a quick conversation to see if counselling might help.
If someone you know needs support, you’re welcome to share this.

06/03/2026

A lot of people think counselling is only for when life completely falls apart.

But in my experience, many people who would benefit from counselling never reach out because they believe things about counselling that simply are not true.

I recently made a short video talking about 5 common myths about counselling that often stop people from getting support.

Things like:

• Counselling is only for people who are “broken”
• Counselling is just talking about feelings
• Counsellors tell you what to do
• Counselling takes years
• You should only go when things are really bad

The reality is counselling can simply be a space to slow down, talk openly about what is happening in your life, and work out how to move forward.

If you have ever been curious about counselling, this video might give you a clearer idea of what it actually looks like.

If you ever need support, I offer counselling in person in Cairns and also via telehealth.

Sometimes one conversation at the right time can make a big difference.

04/03/2026

🌟 Welcome Back, Allan! 🌟
Strong Foundation Support Counselling
💪 here to help you navigate the NDIS 💪

We’re absolutely delighted to welcome the incredible Allan with his new business - Strong Foundation Support - back into the www.tradingmate.com.au business community! 🙌💙

Allan continues to do meaningful, heart-led work across our region, providing personalised and reliable support services that genuinely make a difference in people’s lives 🌱✨ His focus on empowerment, independence and respectful care is exactly what our community is all about.

💪 Strong Foundation Support provides:
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Individualised disability & support services
🏡 Community access & participation support
📋 Tailored support planning
🌟 Reliable, person-centred care
🤝 Practical assistance that builds confidence and independence

Allan’s commitment to helping people create strong, sustainable foundations for their future is something we truly admire 💫

Allan, thank you for joining the Trading Mate community and for the important work you continue to do in FNQ. We’re so pleased to have you on board! 💙

📞 Connect with Strong Foundation Support:
🌐 Website: https://www.strongfoundationsupport.com/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrongFoundationSupport/
📧 Email: allan@strongfoundationsupport.com
☎️ Phone: 0423 763 712

💙

https://www.tradingmate.com.au/toolbox-talk/2708--welcome-back-allan-

02/03/2026

How to Choose a Therapist Under the NDIS

Finding the right therapist under the NDIS can feel overwhelming. Not all therapy is the same, and the right fit makes a big difference.

Here are key things to look for:

Understanding of the NDIS
Your therapist should understand plan goals and capacity building. Ask how sessions will link to your goals and daily functioning.

Clear approach
They should be able to explain how they work in simple terms. What will sessions focus on? What outcomes are you working toward?

Skill development
NDIS therapy should build independence, emotional regulation and practical coping skills. It should not create dependency.

Progress tracking
Ask how progress is reviewed. Are goals set? Are summaries or reports available if needed?

Reliability
Consistency matters. Regular appointments and clear boundaries support better outcomes.

The right fit
Do you feel respected, heard and safe? Connection matters just as much as qualifications.

Registered or unregistered can both be appropriate depending on your plan. What matters most is experience, ethics and whether they align with your needs.

Take your time choosing. The right support should help you grow, not just attend sessions.

28/02/2026

Genuine question for participants and coordinators.

Why do you think it’s so hard to find reliable mental health support under NDIS that actually sticks around long term?

Is it:
• Funding limits
• Provider burnout
• Poor fit
• Lack of understanding of NDIS goals
• Something else

Would love to hear what people are experiencing.

27/02/2026

Why does no one talk about how heavy financial stress really is?

We talk about budgeting.
We talk about saving.
We talk about investing.

But we don’t talk enough about what financial stress does to your nervous system.

It’s not just numbers on a screen.

It’s lying awake at 2am running scenarios.
It’s snapping at people you care about.
It’s avoiding your banking app because your chest tightens.
It’s feeling embarrassed even when you’ve done nothing wrong.

Your brain reads financial threat as survival threat.

That means:

• Increased anxiety
• Hypervigilance
• Irritability
• Trouble concentrating
• Withdrawal from others

Over time, this can start affecting your confidence, relationships, and overall mental health.

Here’s what actually helps:

Regulate before you calculate
You cannot problem solve clearly when your body is in fight or flight. Slow breathing. Movement. Grounding. Settle your system first.

Reduce the problem to one next step
Not “fix my finances.”
Just one practical action. One phone call. One plan.

Speak it out loud
Financial shame grows in silence. It reduces when shared safely.

Separate your worth from your wallet
Income fluctuates. Your value does not.

you don’t have to navigate it alone.

If you’d like support around stress, anxiety, or the pressure that comes with life changes, reach out for a confidential conversation or book a time that suits you via the link https://www.halaxy.com/profile/allan-bunyan/counsellor/1715549?clinic=1315559

23/02/2026

Finding a counsellor can feel overwhelming. There are different qualifications, different approaches, different fees, and a lot of conflicting advice online.

I walk you through how to choose the right counsellor for you, what questions to ask before booking, red flags to watch for, and how to know if therapy is actually working.

If you are feeling stuck, stressed, burnt out, anxious, navigating grief, trauma, addiction, relationship challenges, or major life changes, this episode will help you make a clear and informed decision.

In this video we cover:

• How to start your search the right way
• The difference between psychologists, counsellors, and other mental health professionals
• What to look for on a website
• Questions you can ask before your first session
• Red flags you should never ignore
• How to know if therapy is helping
• When it is okay to change counsellors

23/02/2026

Most burnout doesn’t look dramatic.

It looks like someone who keeps showing up.

In Cairns, I see this a lot.

The business owner who never switches off.
The support worker carrying emotional weight.
The parent juggling everything quietly.
The young adult holding it together in private.

From the outside, they look fine.

Inside? Exhausted.

High functioning burnout sounds like:
“I’m just busy.”
“It’s just a stressful season.”
“I’ll slow down later.”

But chronic stress builds quietly.

Have you noticed any of these lately?
• Feeling tired even after rest
• Snapping more than usual
• Emotional flatness
• Trouble switching off
• Withdrawing from people

Because you are still functioning, you tell yourself it’s not that serious.

But functioning is not the same as being okay.

In regional communities like ours, responsibility stacks up. Work. Family. Community. Expectations.

So here’s the real question:

At what point do we stop normalising constant pressure?

I’m curious, what’s your early warning sign that you’re carrying too much?

Let’s talk about it.

22/02/2026

How to find a counsellor :-)

Looking for counselling near me Cairns? Find the right counsellor Cairns residents trust. Professional counselling services Cairns wide.