Marguerita Van Der Meer, ACA
Flexible ACA counsellor focused on life stories and values
Details
| Name | Marguerita Van Der Meer |
|---|---|
| Credentials | ACA |
| Based in | Australia |
| Registered with | ACA |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 15 |
About Marguerita
Marguerita Van Der Meer is an ACA counsellor with 15 years of experience. She brings a flexible, conversational style that suits people facing complex life challenges. Her background spans anxiety, depression, grief and relationship issues as well as concerns tied to identity and neurodiversity.
Her work often starts with listening to a person's story and identifying what matters most to them. She uses narrative ideas to name patterns and separate people from the problems they live with.
Background and approach
This plain approach helps people see new possibilities in their day to day lives. Marguerita also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness practices to help people make values-based choices. Sessions include practical exercises, reflection and small experiments to test new ways of coping.
She blends these methods with attention to the body and breath when helpful. She has worked with issues connected to adoption and foster care, attachment, autism and intellectual disability, and long-term health or caregiving stress. Marguerita pays attention to family of origin, communication problems, codependency and the impact of shame and guilt.
People who come to her can expect a warm, thoughtful presence and a collaborative style. She aims to help clients discover practical steps forward and to support them as they try new ways of living and relating.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Family conflicts among the things Marguerita works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- LGBT
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Anger management
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- ADHD
- Adoption and foster care
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dissociation
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Guilt and shame
- Infidelity
- Intellectual disability
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Multicultural concerns
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Marguerita among the ways she works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Marguerita among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Marguerita among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Marguerita among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Marguerita among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Marguerita 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 Marguerita directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
Therapeutic approaches and online options
Marguerita commonly uses Narrative Therapy to help people separate themselves from the problems they face by re-authoring personal stories. This can be useful for relationship struggles, identity questions and patterns that repeat over time. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, is another approach she uses to clarify values and build small, workable actions that align with what matters most. Mindfulness practices are offered as simple, moment-to-moment skills to calm the body and sharpen attention during stress.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Marguerita takes a collaborative stance and will help clients experiment with different methods to see what fits their needs and goals. Together they set practical steps and check in on what is working and what needs adjusting.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat or text-based messaging. Video is useful when visual cues matter, while phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and messaging suit shorter check-ins, written reflection or times when typing feels more comfortable. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, caregiving or other commitments, and to try different formats to see which helps most.
Common questions about this listing
What concerns does she help with?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship problems, low self-esteem and addiction concerns, among other issues listed in her profile.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is collaborative and conversational, with a focus on stories people tell about their lives and practical steps to change unhelpful patterns.
What is her professional background?
She has 15 years of clinical experience working across a broad range of human concerns and life stages.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is listed as ACA, which denotes membership of the Australian Counselling Association, and she practices in Australia.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English only and international clients are not accepted.
What session formats are offered?
Sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to suit different needs and preferences.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Marguerita 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 Marguerita where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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