Shaun Williams
Qualified Counsellor, ACA Level 2 Registered Counsellor
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, & Telehealth.
Men’s mental health, LGBTQIA+ counselling, anxiety, burnout, identity and life transitions.
Shaun Williams is an ACA-registered counsellor based in Melbourne who provides online and phone counselling to clients across Australia. His approach is warm, practical and affirming, with a particular interest in supporting men and people within LGBTQIA+ communities, including gay, bisexual and queer men.
With more than 20 years of experience in the Australian healthcare system, Shaun brings a strong understanding of the personal, emotional and relationship challenges people can face. He supports clients experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, loneliness, low self-esteem, bullying, grief, shame, relationship difficulties, identity concerns, sexual health concerns and major life transitions.
Shaun is a proud Wotjobaluk man, a father of four and someone who came out later in life. These experiences have shaped his understanding of identity, family, belonging and the courage it can take to live more authentically. His lived experience contributes to a counselling environment where clients can feel respected, understood and supported without judgement or pressure.
Drawing on Person-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Shaun works collaboratively with each client. He helps people make sense of what they are experiencing, recognise patterns that may no longer be serving them and develop practical strategies for meaningful change.
Shaun’s counselling style is compassionate and direct, structured when helpful and flexible enough to meet each person at their own pace. Clients do not need to arrive with everything figured out. Counselling can begin with an honest conversation about what has been happening and what they would like life to look like moving forward.
Beyond individual counselling, Shaun founded Gay Fathers Worldwide, a global peer-support community for gay fathers. His broader community work reflects his longstanding commitment to reducing isolation, strengthening connection and helping people feel that they belong.
Whether someone is exploring their identity, adjusting to change, experiencing relationship strain or simply feeling overwhelmed, Shaun provides a grounded and respectful space to begin.
Favourite Movie:
The Shawshank Redemption. What I find most powerful is its exploration of hope, resilience, friendship and the human need for freedom. It shows how a person can hold on to their identity and sense of purpose even within circumstances designed to take both away.
Favourite Quote:
Also from The Shawshank Redemption: “Get busy living or get busy dying.” It is direct, memorable and a great reminder to make the most of the life in front of you.
Favourite food:
It is a genuine toss-up between pizza and Thai food. They are very different choices, but I can never get enough of either. Asking me to choose between them might be the real counselling challenge.
Do you have any Hobbies:
Working out at the gym. I do not get there as often as I would like, but I always love how I feel afterwards. I should probably also count sleeping as a hobby because I genuinely love my sleep.
Favourite counselling modality?:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, has to be my favourite. I enjoy how it helps people explore what truly matters to them, connect with their values and make choices that move them towards a more meaningful life. I value doing this work myself and find it incredibly rewarding to watch clients discover and work towards what matters most to them.
Specialises in supporting LGBTQIA+ & Men’s Mental Health
Supporting the LGBTQIA+ community
Men's mental health
Online support available
No referral needed. Book directly online at any time
Shaun can be booked for in-person counselling appointments in Melbourne or online & phone appointments.
Our Therapists
Benjamin Watkins
Director & Principal Therapist
Location: Frankston, Victoria & Telehealth
Supports: Couples & Individuals aged 12+
Eryka Rhodes
Advanced Clinical Counsellor & Supervisor
Location: Frankston & Mt Eliza, Vic & Telehealth
Supports: Couples & Individuals aged 14+
Cayetana Arranz
Qualified Counsellor
Location: Telehealth. (South Australia)
Supports: Individuals aged 14+
Shaun Williams
Qualified Counsellor
Location: Melbourne, Victoria & Telehealth.
Specialises in: LGBTQ, Individuals aged 14+
Robin Pantours
Qualified Counsellor
Location: McCrae, Victoria & Telehealth.
Specialises in: Individuals aged 14+
Ellen Palmer
Qualified Counsellor
Location: Telehealth. (Fraser Coast Region, Qld)
Specialises in: Women, Individuals aged 14+
Joshua Cohen
Qualified Counsellor
Location: Frankston, Victoria & Telehealth
Specialises in: Neurodiversity, Men & Individuals aged 14+
Andrew Heggie
Qualified Counsellor
Location: Frankston, Victoria & Telehealth
Specialises in: Men & Individuals aged 12+
“Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but you are not the rain.”