About Claudia

The person

behind the sessions.

Where healing begins & hope grows

Qualifications

  • Diploma of Counselling, Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors

  • Bachelor of Behavioural Psychology

  • Bachelor of Criminal Justice

  • Member, Australian Counselling Association (Level 1)

Claudia Giesen smiling in a natural light portrait — counsellor at Whispering Hope Therapy

Hi, I'm Claudia — and I'm really glad you're here.

I started Whispering Hope Therapy because I believe that everyone deserves a space to be heard — not just those in crisis, not just those with a referral, and not just those who can afford to wait months for an appointment. The everyday struggles of life are real and valid, and they deserve real, accessible support.

People often ask what drew me to counselling. The honest answer is that I've always been fascinated by how people think, feel, and grow. That curiosity led me to complete a Bachelor of Behavioural Science in Psychology — I wanted to understand the human mind and help people make sense of their experiences.

But as I studied, something didn't quite sit right with me. I kept noticing how easily people were reduced to a diagnosis, a label, a box — when every person in front of me was so much more than that. Everyone has a story, a history, and strengths that no clinical category can capture. That realisation is what led me to counselling.

Counselling gives me the freedom to work in a truly person-centred way — to sit with someone exactly as they are, without needing to fit them into a framework that was never designed for them. It's about creating a space where you can explore your challenges, your hopes, and your own quiet strengths, at whatever pace feels right for you.

What I know for certain is this: you don't need to have it all figured out before you reach out. You just need to be willing to show up, and I'll meet you right where you are.

How I work

Gentle and unhurried

Sessions move at your pace, not mine. There's no pressure to have breakthroughs on a schedule or arrive at tidy conclusions. Sometimes the most important thing is simply having a space where you can think out loud without worrying about the time.

Led by you

You're the expert on your own life. My role is to ask the questions that open things up, reflect back what I hear, and help you find clarity that already exists within you — not to tell you what to think or how to feel.

Warm and non-judgemental

Whatever brings you here — whether it's something you've never said out loud or something you've been carrying quietly for years — this is a space free of judgement. I genuinely want to understand your experience, not evaluate it.

Evidence-based tools,

held lightly.

I draw on a range of evidence-based approaches depending on what feels most helpful for you. Rather than following a single rigid method, I weave different tools together to suit where you are and what you're working through.

In practice, this means sessions can be as practical or as exploratory as you need them to be — and that balance can shift from one conversation to the next.

Everyday people

in everyday moments.

Supporting adults (18+) and couples Australia-wide, my practice is built for people moving through the ordinary-but-hard parts of life. You don't need to be in crisis to deserve space to process what you're carrying.

Whether you're managing relationship changes, the quiet strain of fertility challenges, a workplace that feels draining, or a shift in your identity that leaves you feeling unlike yourself, I provide a calm, dedicated space to help you find your footing again.

I offer sessions via phone, video, or text — whichever feels most comfortable for you. There's no referral needed and no waiting list, so getting started is as simple as booking a free 15-minute call to see if we're a good fit.

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Anxiety

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Depression

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Stress & Burnout

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Grief & Loss

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Relationships

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Life transitions

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Identity

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Self-esteem

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Parenthood

| Anxiety | Depression | Stress & Burnout | Grief & Loss | Relationships | Life transitions | Identity | Self-esteem | Parenthood

Ready to take that first small step?

A free 15-minute consultation is a no-pressure way to ask questions, get a feel for how I work, and decide if it's the right fit — before you commit to anything.