Finding the slope of change

Bethany, Barossa Valley.

Whether you’re navigating running or life, gradients matter. They’re what make the landscape interesting — the gentle slopes that let you find rhythm, the steep climbs that make you dig deep, and the smooth descents that remind you how far you’ve come.

Change, growth, healing — they’re never a single “turning point.” They’re gradients. Shifts in effort, energy, and perspective. Sometimes subtle, sometimes breathtaking. That’s what this work is about.

Who counselling is for (spoiler: everyone)

In my experience, the perfect candidate for counselling is simply someone who’s ready to look inward — even just a little.

That includes those taking the first small step toward better mental health, whether it’s anxiety, low mood, stress, or life feeling just a bit too heavy.

It includes those who’ve done counselling before, found it useful, and now feel it’s time to reconnect — perhaps from a different angle, or with a different kind of conversation.

And it includes those who aren’t necessarily struggling, but who are curious — about creativity, meaning, career change, motivation, or performance. People who feel there’s more potential in them, and want to explore how to reach it.

So yes, that should just about cover everyone.

A path built on curiosity and conversation

For me, this work has become an extraordinary convergence of everything I love. I’ve spent 25 years writing professionally, running businesses, navigating marriage and parenthood, and pushing limits through triathlon. Those experiences taught me discipline, persistence, and perspective — all of which now flow into my work as a counsellor.

I’m currently completing the clinical psychology pathway at the University of Adelaide, and I’m absolutely loving it. The academic side — the theories, research, and models — is fascinating. But seeing those ideas come alive in real conversations with clients? That’s where it feels most rewarding. Watching people shift — even slightly — toward clarity, purpose, or relief. That’s what keeps me driving forwards.

Gradient: a name that fits

Gradient isn’t a brand. It’s a reflection of how I see this process, and how I live it.

When I run hills, I love them all — the gentle rises, the hard grinds, the quiet moments before the summit. Life’s like that too. Progress isn’t flat. It’s textured. It asks for effort and gives perspective in return.

Gradients are the spaces between what was and what’s next — the subtle transitions that change us without fanfare. That’s what I want this space to represent: a place where growth happens gradually, naturally, and at your own pace.

So here we are

The Gradient Counselling website is still taking shape — and that feels fitting. Like therapy itself, it’s a work in progress. I’m proud of where it’s heading, and I can’t wait to share more as it evolves.

Whether you’re here for counselling, coaching, or simply curiosity, I hope you’ll reach out. Let’s talk.

Because every journey has its ups and downs. And somewhere along the slope — the gradient — is where we grow.

I can’t wait to hear from you.

— Andrew, Gradient Counselling Barossa.

Bethany, Barossa Valley