- Guilt and shame
- Cancer and illness
- Trauma-informed care
About Leona
Leona Kim Welham is an AASW social worker in Australia with eight years of professional experience. She works with people who are carrying stress, anxiety, relationship strain, family conflict, trauma and grief. She also helps those adjusting to cancer, chronic illness, caregiving demands and the practical strains that come with serious health concerns.
Leona keeps sessions straightforward. She listens to what matters most, helps name emotions like guilt and shame, and focuses on small, practical steps that fit everyday life. Conversations aim to clarify what a person values and which choices feel most workable right now.
Her approach draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to explore values and actions, and on Narrative Therapy to make sense of painful stories. She also uses Client-Centred and Solution-Focused techniques to keep work grounded and goal-oriented, and Trauma-Focused Therapy where needed to address past harms.
Leona has particular experience supporting people through loss and the stresses tied to medical treatment. She helps clients balance treatment demands with family and work pressures, and addresses isolation, caregiver strain and relationship strain that often follow major illness.
People who come for help can expect practical conversation, clear options and collaborative planning. To begin, she asks for a short matching questionnaire and an initial appointment so goals and next steps can be agreed on together.
How her approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people identify what matters to them and take small actions in line with those values. It is useful for anxiety, ongoing stress and decisions that follow illness or caregiving roles. Narrative Therapy focuses on the stories people tell about themselves and looks for different ways to tell those stories so shame and guilt have less control. Client-Centred work keeps the conversation focused on the persons experience and priorities, and can make sessions feel straightforward and practical.Finding the best approach is part of the work. She will talk with each person about what feels most useful and adjust methods to fit goals and preferences. This is a collaborative process where the client helps guide which techniques are tried and how they are used.
The biography does not specify which online session formats she offers, so confirm the current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit counselling into a busy day, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. They can also let someone use audio only if bandwidth or camera use is an issue. These practical benefits are balanced with a focus on clear goals and useful strategies that work in everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
8+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family conflict, trauma and grief. Additional focus areas include cancer, caregiver strain, chronic illness and guilt and shame.
How does she approach guilt and shame?
She names those feelings and looks at how they affect daily choices. Therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Narrative Therapy are used to reframe and work through painful self-judgement.
What is her clinical background?
She has eight years of professional experience working in Australia with people facing trauma, loss and complex health concerns.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is listed with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and practises in Australia.
Can I have sessions in another language or from another country?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
The biography does not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to begin.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.