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Meet Your Counsellor
Warm, genuine support for
real change.
I’m an ACA Level 2 accredited counsellor and Gottman Method certified therapist based in Toowoomba. I bring expertise, warmth, and a genuine commitment to the wellbeing of every client I work with.
🌱 ACA Level 2 Accredited
🌱 Gottman Method Certified
🌱 Toowoomba & Telehealth
🌱 No Referral Required
Lee McCullagh
Counsellor · Therapist
- ACA Level 2 Accredited Member
- Gottman Method Certified Therapist
- Face-to-Face & Zoom Sessions
Phone
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My story
A path built on compassion
I’m a Toowoomba-based counsellor who specialises in helping individuals and couples through some of life’s more difficult chapters. I work with people navigating anxiety, grief, relationship strain, serious health challenges, and the quieter but equally real struggles that don’t always have a name — the ones you carry alone because you’re not quite sure where to start.
My path into counselling wasn’t a straight line. I came to this work with genuine curiosity about people — what shapes us, what gets in the way, and what it actually takes to change. Over time, that curiosity became a practice built on warmth, honesty, and a deep respect for the courage it takes to ask for help.
“I believe that within every person is the capacity for growth and change — sometimes we just need the right support to find our way back to ourselves.”
— Lee McCullagh
After completing my formal training, I pursued advanced certification in the Gottman Method — one of the world’s most thoroughly researched approaches to relationship therapy. This certification, combined with my ACA Level 2 accreditation, reflects a commitment to offering the highest standard of care to everyone who comes through my door.
My approach is never one-size-fits-all. I take time to genuinely understand where each person is and tailor my work accordingly — whether that means exploring the roots of long-standing patterns, building practical skills for day-to-day life, or simply creating space for someone to feel truly heard.
I regularly engage in clinical supervision and continuing professional development — not as a box-ticking exercise, but because I believe the best counsellors are always learning. I hold current ACA membership and adhere to the ACA Code of Ethics in all aspects of my practice.
Qualifications
ACA Level 2 Accredited Member
Gottman Method Certified Couples Therapist
Specialist — Anxiety & Stress
Specialist — Grief & Bereavement
Specialist — Health, Wellbeing & Maladaptive Behaviour
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Approach & Philosophy
How I work with you
Every person’s story is different. My approach is built around you — where you are, what you need, and the pace that feels right.
Person-Centred Care
My foundation is a deep respect for each client’s autonomy and individuality. You are the expert on your own life — my role is to walk alongside you, not to tell you what to think or feel.
Evidence-Based Methods
I draw on proven therapeutic frameworks including the Gottman Method, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and trauma-informed practices — choosing what best suits each client’s needs.
Non-Judgemental Space
Whatever brought you here, you will be met with warmth and without judgement. My practice is a confidential, safe environment where you can speak freely and be truly heard.
Goal-Focused Sessions
While the process is compassionate, it is also purposeful. Sessions are structured to support meaningful, lasting change — with practical tools you can use between and beyond the counselling room.
Collaborative Process
Counselling works best as a genuine partnership. I work with you to clarify what you want from the process and adjust the approach as your needs evolve.
Your Pace, Always
There is no rush. Some people move quickly, others need more time — both are equally valid. I create a rhythm that honours where you are and supports progress that lasts.
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What I Believe
A few things that matter here
You don’t need a crisis to come
Counselling isn’t only for rock bottom. Many people come to me when something feels off — not catastrophically wrong, but not quite right either. That instinct is worth following.
You’re the expert on your own life
I don’t arrive with a fixed plan. I follow your lead — asking questions, listening carefully, and helping you find clarity that is genuinely yours, not borrowed from a script.
There is no right pace
Some people move quickly through counselling; others need more time. Both are completely valid. I don’t push for progress on a timeline — I work at the pace that’s actually right for you.
Confidentiality is absolute
What you share in sessions stays in sessions. I adhere strictly to the ACA Code of Ethics. You can speak freely — that’s not a courtesy, it’s a professional and ethical commitment.
The Gottman Method:
science meets heart.
The Gottman Method is one of the world’s most thoroughly researched approaches to couples therapy. Developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman over decades of scientific study, it identifies the precise patterns that lead to relationship success — and those that lead to breakdown. I am certified in this method, bringing genuine expertise to every couples session.
01
Build Love Maps
Deepening your knowledge of your partner’s inner world.
02
Turn Towards
Recognising and responding to each other’s bids for connection.
03
Manage Conflict
Learning to navigate disagreement without damaging the relationship.
04
Create Shared Meaning
Building a shared sense of purpose, rituals, and life goals.
What the Research Says
The Gottman Method can predict relationship outcomes with over 90% accuracy based on observable communication patterns — and just as importantly, it can reliably improve them.
What Makes It Different
Rather than simply talking about problems, the Gottman Method gives couples practical tools to use between sessions — building new habits of connection over time.
For Other Relationships
For workplace and personal relationships, I draw on the same communication, conflict, and trust principles — adapted to the specific context and needs of each person.
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Qualifications you can trust
My credentials reflect a sustained commitment to professional excellence and ethical practice.
Professional Membership
ACA Level 2 Accredited Member
The Australian Counselling Association Level 2 accreditation represents the second-highest tier of professional recognition, requiring extensive supervised practice hours and ongoing continuing professional development.
Specialised Certification
Gottman Method Certified Therapist
Certified by The Gottman Institute in the evidence-based Gottman Method of couples therapy — a globally recognised approach developed through decades of scientific research on relationship success and failure.
Specialist Training
Grief & Bereavement Counselling
Specialist training in grief, loss, and bereavement support — providing compassionate, evidence-informed care for clients navigating the death of a loved one, relationship endings, or other significant losses
Specialist Training
Trauma-Informed Maladaptive Behaviours
Specialist training in understanding and addressing maladaptive behaviours through a trauma-informed lens — recognising the protective roots of these patterns and supporting clients to build healthier, more adaptive ways of coping.
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Your First Session
What to expect
Especially if this is your first time seeking counselling, it helps to know what the experience will actually feel like.
Step 01
A Warm Welcome
You’ll be greeted with warmth. There’s no pressure — the first session (90 minutes) is simply about getting to know each other at a pace that feels comfortable.
Step 02
Being Truly Heard
I will listen carefully to what’s brought you here, asking gentle questions to better understand your situation and what you’re hoping to achieve.
Step 03
Shaping a Plan
Together you’ll discuss what a helpful outcome might look like and begin to map out an approach — one that fits your life and your goals.