2026 is your year to start showing up for yourself.
Therapist & Counsellor in Shellharbour, Wollongong and the Illawarra.
Self Care Studio offers professional counselling and therapy services in Shellharbour, Wollongong and across the Illawarra region. Barbara Thompson is an experienced therapist and counsellor who helps teens, individuals and couples navigate anxiety, overthinking, toxic relationships, self esteem struggles and relationship challenges. Sessions are available in person from the private Shellharbour studio or online for clients across Australia.
If you are here chances are something doesn’t feel right. You might be overthinking everything, feeling anxious, stuck, disconnected or exhausted by patterns that keep repeating. You may know something needs to change but you’re not sure where to start or what therapy will actually be like.
At Self Care Studio you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to show up as you are. This is a warm, non clinical therapy space where you can slow down, feel safe and begin to understand yourself on a deeper level.
This is therapy that goes deeper and actually creates change.
I work with people who are ready to understand why they feel the way they do, how their patterns formed and what to do differently so life no longer feels so heavy or overwhelming.
Together we work through things like:
– Overthinking and anxiety
– Low self esteem and self doubt
– People pleasing and poor boundaries
– Emotional overwhelm and stress
– Healing from toxic or unhealthy relationships
– Reconnecting with your body, emotions and sense of self
Choose from the following:
- In Studio SessionsÂ
- Online Sessions
 Self Care Studio is a space for deep transformation.
A different kind of therapist
I’m Barbara founder of Self Care Studio. I’m a non clinical therapist, and my work is deeply shaped by both professional experience and lived experience. I know what it’s like to:
– Put everyone else first and lose yourself
– Stay too long in relationships that don’t feel right
– Struggle with body image and self worth
– Ignore your own needs until your body and mind force you to stop
I’ve done the work myself and now I get to guide others through it in a way that feels human, grounded and real.
Clients often share with me they feel:
– Seen and understood
– Calmer and clearer
– More connected to themselves
– Better equipped to handle life not just survive it
This is therapy focused on real insight, real tools and real change.
Why Work With Me?
✔ Authentic & Real A safe space for honest, deep work without judgment.
✔ Results Driven Therapy Not just talking, but real transformation.
✔ Mind + Body Connection Align your thoughts, emotions and energy for true healing.
✔ Lifelong Skills Learn tools that empower you beyond our sessions.
✔ Personal & Professional Experience I’ve been there, and I’ve helped countless others navigate it too.
Let’s begin.
Book your session today!
Barbara Thompson
Owner & Founder | Professional Counsellor (Dips.Couns.)
“I wish everyone could learn and experience this profound connection with themselves. When you truly know yourself, everything changes. You gain clarity, confidence, and a sense of peace that impacts every aspect of your life. This is more than just therapy, it’s a path to becoming the most authentic version of yourself.”Â
New clients are welcome. No referral is necessary. The studio is located in Shellharbour, NSW. Appointments are available 7 days a week. Late nights Tuesdays and Thursdays until 9pm.
Counselling Services in Wollongong, Shellharbour & the Illawarra
Self Care Studio provides counselling and therapy services for people across Shellharbour, Wollongong, Kiama, Albion Park, Warilla and the greater Illawarra region. Many clients also work with Barbara online from across Australia.
Services include:
• Anxiety counselling
• Relationship counselling
• Toxic relationship recovery
• Teen counselling
• Stress and burnout therapy
• Overthinking and people pleasing support
• Self esteem and confidence therapy
• Online therapy sessions
I specialise in helping people with:
- Low self worth & self doubt
- Overthinking & second guessing
- People pleasing & difficulty setting boundaries
- Feeling overwhelmed & emotionally drained
- Anxiety & constant worry
- Depression & feeling stuck
- Stress & burnout
- Healing from toxic relationships
- Letting go of past pain & resentment
- Building confidence & self trust
- Body image struggles & self acceptance
- Nutrition & food as medicine
- Procrastination & fear of taking action
- Blended families & co-parenting challenges
- Teen therapy & emotional support for adolescents
- Navigating life transitions & finding your purpose
- Improving your relationship with yourself
A place to learn more about you, on your time, on your terms.
Life doesn’t come with a manual and no one teaches us how to connect with ourselves, understand our thoughts or manage the emotional weight we carry. That’s why I created School of Self. A space where you can explore, learn and grow at your own pace. Here you get to pick and choose what resonates. Come back anytime you need guidance, inspiration or a reset.
You already know yourself best. The School of Self helps you harness that inner wisdom, connect with your intuition and strengthen your mind + body + soul connection. It’s about real tools, real growth and creating a life that feels true to you.
Side effects from therapy
- Clearer Thinking
- Healthy relationship with yourself
- A better nights sleep
- Less Stress
- Less Bloating
- Feeling empowered
- Excited about things
- Self Love
- Have a deeper knowing in who you are & what you want
- More energy
- Let go of the past
- Inner Strength
- Release Shame
- Less anxiety
- More freedom
- Feeling lighter
- Comfortable in your own skin
- Having your own back
- Reduced Overthinking
