Vanessa Fernandez (Click for telehealth link)
Vanessa is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Family Therapist with over 15 years of experience working across a range of clinical settings. Over the past five years, she has specialised in public mental health, supporting the recovery of children, adolescents, and young people aged 0–25.
She offers a warm, compassionate, and non-judgemental approach, creating a safe and inclusive space where clients feel supported and understood. Vanessa has extensive experience working with children, young people, and families presenting with a wide range of complex developmental and psychosocial concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, eating disorders, and relational difficulties.
Vanessa is trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and works with adults, children, and adolescents to support recovery from trauma and distressing life experiences. She also has a strong interest in supporting individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and neurodivergent presentations, helping clients and families better understand their unique profiles, build on strengths, and develop practical strategies for everyday functioning.
She is passionate about working with diverse populations, including Aboriginal families, individuals with substance use histories, gender diverse clients, and LGBTIQA+ communities. She is also highly invested in supporting families, parents, and couples impacted by mental health challenges, helping them strengthen relationships and build meaningful change.
Vanessa takes a warm, collaborative, and strengths-based approach to therapy. She believes that every individual and family has the capacity for growth, resilience, and healing when supported within a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship.
Her work is trauma-informed and tailored to each client’s unique needs. Vanessa integrates EMDR therapy into her practice where appropriate, supporting clients to process trauma, reduce distress, and build adaptive coping strategies. She also adopts a neurodiversity-affirming approach, supporting clients with ADHD and other neurodivergent experiences to better understand themselves, regulate emotions, and develop practical, strengths-based strategies.
Vanessa works alongside clients to build insight, strengthen confidence, and create sustainable and meaningful change over time.
Areas of experience:
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Family Therapy
Couples Counselling
Anxiety; Depression
Trauma; Eating Disorders
Grief and Loss; Relational Difficulties
Early Intervention
Youth Mental Health
ADHD
Neurodiversity
EMDR Therapy
Treatment Philosophy
Mental Health Clinician (Social Worker/Family Therapist) – Public Mental Health, 2021–Present
Social Worker – Various Clinical Settings, 2010–2026
Career Experience
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Master of Family Therapy
Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
Australian Association of Mental Health Social Workers (AAMHSW)
Qualifications & Accreditations

