Counselling
Daramalan students have access to three counsellors and one school psychologist employed by the College. The role of our counselling team is to focus on the emotional, social and educational well-being of our students.
Our counsellors welcome contact with students experiencing difficulty with any part of their life, whether or not it affects their schoolwork. Some typical concerns that counsellors work with include: anger, anxiety, behavioural problems, depression, eating problems, family breakdown and family conflict, grief and loss, learning and educational challenges, peer and other social relationships, school avoidance, stress, and study skills. As well as individual sessions with students, our counsellors can run groups, consult with parents and teachers, and make referrals to other services and supports.
The school psychologist complements the broader counselling services in areas of student wellbeing, learning, and development. They apply knowledge in mental health, developmental psychology and educational assessment to help students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. The school psychologist works collaboratively with teachers, families, executive staff and external professionals to create safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments.
Further information on how to access the Daramalan counselling team is available for current families on Daranet: https://daranet.daramalan.act.edu.au/homepage/3139
Meet Our Team
Bobbie Dawson – School Psychologist (Part-time)
Trained in both education and psychology, Bobbie has worked with young people and their parents/carers to build positive relationships, improve student wellbeing and teach tools and strategies needed to navigate various challenges and difficulties that life can throw at us. She sees psychological support as an important way to promote the wellbeing, mental health and development of young people by recognising and responding to their concerns in a way that is caring, validating, strengths-based and solutions-focused. Originally from the east coast of Canada, Bobbie moved to Canberra in 2010 and is a mum to a young family. Outside of her work, she loves spending time with her family, travelling, exploring new cultures, hiking with her dog and being near the ocean. Bobbie has worked in different roles at Daramalan since 2010, including as a teacher and pastoral leader.
In the role of School Psychologist, Bobbie will be focused on collaborating across the areas of counselling services, student wellbeing, learning and development. Bobbie is a fully registered psychologist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and her areas of experience include: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT); Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT); Motivational Interviewing; Mindfulness; Positive Psychology; Positive Coaching Psychology; Solution-Focused Brief Therapy; Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy; Autism/ADHD assessments; and Psychoeducational Assessments.Assessments.
Sally Bunday – Counsellor – Team Lead
Sally Bunday is a person-centred counsellor who is passionate about working with young people, their families and broader support networks.
Sally is an inclusive practitioner with postgraduate qualifications in counselling, who works with a wide range of client presentations. She focusses on building strong therapeutic relationships with her clients to support them to overcome life’s challenges and empower them to manage their mental health and wellbeing into the future. Sally works collaboratively with young people to develop strategies and tools to reach their mental health goals, using a number of different therapeutic approaches, including person-centred therapy, strength-based therapy, solution-focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, narrative therapy, gestalt therapy, and creative therapies. Outside of work, Sally loves running, reading, writing and spending time with her family and two enormous, and very boisterous, dogs. Prior to becoming a counsellor, Sally worked in communications, media and journalism.
Promise Igba – Counsellor
With a bubbly and approachable personality, Promise is a person-centred counsellor with years of experience engaging with children and young people. Promise specialises in using narrative therapy to support young people who are going through various challenges including mental health, social and relationship difficulties. With a postgraduate qualification in social work, Promise relies on strengths-based and solution-focused theories to validate and where necessary redirect young people who are going through various challenges. Originally from Nigeria, Promise moved to Australia in 2007 with his family through diplomatic posting. Outside of work, Promise loves spending time with family and friends, playing video games, playing and watching football, and is a big fan of Arsenal Football Club.
Manar Arabani – Counsellor
Manar Arabani is a registered psychologist (AHPRA) working in a school counselling role and is committed to enhancing wellbeing and fostering resilience in adolescents. She is passionate about equipping young people with practical strategies and tools to manage life’s challenges.
Manar works closely with students and their families, offering personalised support to address emotional and behavioural concerns while supporting personal and academic goals. She has experience in CBT, ACT and DBT, and has applied these approaches across a range of settings, including workplace rehabilitation, high school environments, and with an NDIS provider.
Outside of work, Manar enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, travelling, reading, going to the gym and boxing.