Susan Mahachi

Susan Mahachi is an ACA counsellor with 16 years' experience. She works with people feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, low mood and issues with self‑esteem. She also helps those facing relationship and parenting challenges. Susan speaks English and Shona and practices in Australia.

Susan takes an uncomplicated, person-focused approach in sessions. She listens first and helps clients name what matters most to them. Conversations often cover patterns from family of origin, attachment and communication habits that affect day-to-day life. Practical strategies from cognitive behavioural therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy are used alongside calm, reflective listening.

People come to Susan for many reasons, including body image worries, feelings of emptiness, caregiver stress, and difficulties after separation or divorce. She also supports those coping with control issues, abandonment concerns, eating and food-related problems, and challenges around fatherhood. Pre-marital and relationship conversations are part of her practice.

Sessions tend to focus on small, manageable steps. That can mean learning ways to notice unhelpful thoughts, practising new ways to talk about needs, or developing kindness toward oneself. The goal is clearer thinking and steadier daily routines rather than quick fixes.

Susan believes taking the first step takes courage and aims to make the process straightforward. Prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session according to availability.

How therapy approaches shape online sessions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and taking small behaviour changes that match those values. It can help when anxiety or avoidance get in the way of everyday life. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at links between thoughts, feelings and actions and teaches practical techniques to shift unhelpful patterns. This approach often suits people wanting tools to manage stress or low mood. Attachment‑Based Therapy explores early relationship patterns and how they show up now, which can help with communication and trust issues in adult relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences and what feels doable, then try methods that make sense together. That collaborative process means strategies are adjusted as the client learns what helps and what does not.

Practical benefits of online therapy include fitting sessions into busy schedules and reducing travel time, which can make it easier to keep regular appointments. Online work also allows sessions to be shorter check‑ins when time is limited, or fuller conversations when there is space. Confirm the current session options before booking so you know which formats are offered for scheduling and planning.