Esther Guilhot, AASW
Narrative-informed social worker and counsellor
Details
| Name | Esther Guilhot |
|---|---|
| Credentials | AASW |
| Based in | Australia |
| Registered with | AASW |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 20 |
About Esther
Esther Guilhot is an AASW social worker with 20 years of psychotherapy, counselling and social work experience. She uses narrative-informed ways of working to help people make sense of painful events and decide what stories they want to carry forward. Esther writes plainly and listens closely so people feel heard and understood.
Esther helps with stress, anxiety and panic, and with mood challenges such as bipolar disorder. She supports people facing relationship and intimacy concerns, grappling with grief, or recovering from trauma and abuse.
Background and approach
She also assists with career questions, addiction struggles, parenting strain and caregiver stress. Her approach draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to build practical skills for managing difficult thoughts and strong emotions. Attachment-based ideas are used to look at how past relationships shape present patterns.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy tools are offered for emotional regulation and impulse control when needed. Esther speaks from lived experience of childhood and adult relational trauma, AuDHD, alcohol issues and burnout, and she shares a recovery perspective in sessions. She aims to create an open, non-judgemental space where people can try new ways of coping and make clear next steps.
Sessions are conversational and goal-focused. Esther works with each person to set realistic actions, rehearse new responses and notice progress. The practical aim is clearer choices and steadier day-to-day coping.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Family conflicts among the things Esther works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Career difficulties
- Addictions
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Attachment issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Family problems
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Narcissism
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Esther among the ways she works.
- Attachment-Based Therapy: Listed by Esther among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Esther among the ways she works.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Esther among the ways she works.
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Esther among the ways she works.
- Existential Therapy: Listed by Esther among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Esther among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Esther among the ways she works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Esther among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Esther among the ways she works.
- Somatic Therapy: Listed by Esther among the ways she works.
- Internal Family Systems: Listed by Esther among the ways she works.
- Systemic Therapy: Listed by Esther among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Esther directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Esther directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
Using narrative and skills-based methods online
Esther blends Narrative-informed work with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment-based ideas. Narrative work helps people externalise problems and rewrite unhelpful stories about themselves, which can ease shame and change patterns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on values and small behavioural steps, helping people tolerate difficult thoughts while moving toward what matters. Attachment-based ideas look at how earlier relationships shape current responses and help people try new ways of relating.Choosing the right approach is part of the process. Esther will talk with each person about their needs, goals and preferences and then choose or combine approaches collaboratively. That way the plan matches what a person wants to achieve and feels doable in everyday life.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video is useful for fuller conversation and non-verbal cues. Phone sessions can fit into work breaks or when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and messaging suit shorter check-ins, reflective exercises or pacing communication over time. These options aim to make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into a busy life.
Common questions about this listing
What issues does Esther commonly address?
She works with stress and anxiety, panic, mood difficulties including bipolar, relationship and intimacy concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, addiction, parenting and caregiver stress, and career or life-change challenges.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is conversational and narrative-informed. Conversations focus on the stories people tell about themselves, alongside practical skills from ACT and CBT to change unhelpful patterns.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Esther has 20 years of experience in psychotherapy, counselling and social work practice across a range of concerns and settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is listed as AASW and works from Australia.
In which languages can I work with her?
Sessions are offered in English.
What formats are available for sessions?
Esther provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging for online work.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability. Sessions are booked through a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, then schedule a session according to the therapist's availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Esther are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Esther where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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