Understand
Share what has been difficult, what matters to you and what is already helping.
MELBOURNE & ONLINE · ENGLISH & TURKISH
Everyone has a story.
Understanding yours is where we begin.
Online counselling for adults and young people dealing with anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties and life changes. Explore our services or make an enquiry to find a suitable next step.
ACA Level 2 counsellorScreening & guidanceEnglish & Turkish
Scroll to explore your options
MAIN SERVICES
Find the support that fits.
Explore our counselling, screening and written guidance options. Read what each service involves before deciding how to begin.
Psychological Therapy
Counselling to help you make sense of anxiety, low mood, relationships, past experiences or patterns that keep showing up—and find practical ways to move forward.
COUNSELLING & THERAPY
Children & Young People
Age-appropriate counselling for children and teenagers experiencing worry, big emotions, school changes or friendship difficulties, with family involvement where suitable.
YOUNG PEOPLE & FAMILIES
Screening & Written Guidance
Non-diagnostic screening, focused reviews and personalised written guidance where suitable, to clarify concerns and support informed next steps.
SCREENING & REPORTSADDITIONAL SUPPORT
Other pathways and resources
Explore written reports, practical resources and future service plans.
Professional Reports & Summaries
Purpose-specific counselling summaries and selected written documentation, prepared within a clear agreed scope.
REPORTS & DOCUMENTATION
NDIS Counselling & Support
Counselling-based therapeutic support for eligible self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants, with goals and funding checked before sessions.
NDIS & CAPACITY BUILDING
Insights & Articles
Explore practical, evidence-informed articles about everyday wellbeing, beginning with adult ADHD.
READ INSIGHTSCOMING TO AO PSYCHOLOGY
Guidance you can return to, in your own time.
Our first self-guided parenting program will help families explore what may contribute to children's emotional outbursts, with relatable narrated stories, practical activities and an optional supported format.
For parents and caregivers of children aged 5–12. In development; purchases are not yet available.
Explore Programs & ResourcesFIRST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Understanding Your Child's Big Emotions
Look beyond the outburst. Explore what may be happening before, during and after difficult moments—without judging the child or the parent.
See the program outline →HOW AO PSYCHOLOGY WORKS
How we work together
People rarely experience a concern in isolation. For example, worry may affect sleep, and poor sleep can make the following day feel harder. We take time to understand how things connect, agree on practical next steps together and review what feels useful in your everyday life.
Make sense
Explore how situations, thoughts, feelings and responses may connect.
Try strategies
Choose manageable approaches to practise between sessions, at your own pace.
Review
Notice what is changing, discuss what does not fit and adjust together.
MEET YOUR COUNSELLOR
A professional approach, with a person behind it.
Ali Ocal is the founder of AO Psychology & Counselling and an ACA Level 2 Registered Counsellor. His approach brings together evidence-informed thinking, attentive listening and practical support shaped around each person.
Based in Melbourne, Ali offers online counselling in English and Turkish. Learn more about his qualifications, experience and approach before deciding whether to make an enquiry.
Meet the founder and explore his approachSCREENING, REVIEWS & ASSESSMENT
When you want a clearer picture
You may have a question that doesn't require ongoing counselling. Screening can help you understand patterns and consider what to do next. It does not provide a diagnosis.
Focused Screening & Guidance
Explore attention, neurodivergent experiences and everyday functioning through structured screening. Choose a short results summary or more detailed written feedback. We'll explain which options are suitable and available.
VIEW SCREENINGVocational Assessment & Career Guidance
A focused review of work or study interests, strengths, practical barriers and next steps. Ask about the consultation format and any written outcome before proceeding.
VIEW VOCATIONALComprehensive Wellbeing Review
A structured exploration of mood, coping and everyday functioning, with the level of feedback agreed in advance. Enquire to confirm the suitable review option.
VIEW WELLBEING
YOUR FIRST STEP
Getting started, without the guesswork.
Whether you're considering counselling, screening or support for a family member, you can understand your options before making a decision.
- Explore your options
Read what each service involves, who it may suit and what it costs.
- Choose how to begin
Send a general enquiry or request an optional free 15-minute introductory phone call. You can ask about your options before deciding on a clinical appointment.
- Confirm the next step
We'll check whether a service is right for you and explain fees and consent. If you want to continue after triage, we'll arrange the next appointment together.
General enquiries are welcome, and free 15-minute introductory calls can be booked online. Paid clinical bookings and payments remain separately arranged.
BEYOND INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS
Explore organisations For Organisations
Practical wellbeing education, tailored workshops, psychoeducation and collaborative support for workplaces, community organisations and professional settings.
NOT SURE WHERE TO BEGIN?Not sure which type of support
Not sure which type of support
is right for you?
You do not need to have every answer before making contact. Tell us briefly what you're looking for, and we can clarify the most suitable starting point.
Please don't include sensitive clinical information in an initial enquiry.