Grace Penman, ACA
Counsellor for mixed-culture adults and immigrants
- Cross-cultural identity support
- EMDR and ACT approaches
- LGBTQIA+ inclusive care
About Grace Penman
Grace Penman is a counsellor and psychotherapist credentialed in Australia with 4 years of professional experience who supports mixed-culture adults and immigrants, including people in the LGBTQIA+ community, as they navigate identity, belonging, and the practicalities of adult life across cultures. She holds an ACA credential, which indicates professional recognition within the Australian counselling field, and applies that training to help clients explore the complex ties between heritage, values, and personal choice.
Many people Grace works with feel pulled between family expectations and their own sense of self, facing decisions that try to honour where they came from while also reflecting who they want to become. That ongoing tension can surface as anxiety, guilt, confusion, or a persistent feeling of not being enough, especially when balancing study, work, parenting, or partnership across cultural lines. Clients often arrive during periods of transition - moving to a new country, raising children between cultures, or negotiating different upbringings with a partner - and find those shifts stir up questions about belonging and loneliness.
Grace weaves together EMDR, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based somatic psychotherapy to gently process cultural, relational, and intergenerational trauma held in the body. Through this integrative approach she supports clients to reclaim their voice, honour every part of who they are beyond outside expectations, and reconnect with the values that guide their next steps.
Many people Grace works with feel pulled between family expectations and their own sense of self, facing decisions that try to honour where they came from while also reflecting who they want to become. That ongoing tension can surface as anxiety, guilt, confusion, or a persistent feeling of not being enough, especially when balancing study, work, parenting, or partnership across cultural lines. Clients often arrive during periods of transition - moving to a new country, raising children between cultures, or negotiating different upbringings with a partner - and find those shifts stir up questions about belonging and loneliness.
Grace weaves together EMDR, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based somatic psychotherapy to gently process cultural, relational, and intergenerational trauma held in the body. Through this integrative approach she supports clients to reclaim their voice, honour every part of who they are beyond outside expectations, and reconnect with the values that guide their next steps.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
LGBTRelationship issuesGriefIntimacy-related issuesCareer difficultiesDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAttachment issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsDivorce and separationDomestic violenceFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameImmigration issuesIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMulticultural concernsPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Mindfulness Therapy Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Grace Penman have?
Grace Penman has 4 years of professional experience.
Is Grace Penman a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the ACA credential.
In which languages does Grace Penman provide therapy?
Grace Penman provides therapy in English.
Where is Grace Penman located?
Grace Penman is located in Australia.
How can I work with Grace Penman as my therapist?
Clients can work with Grace Penman through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Grace Penman work with international clients?
Grace Penman does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Grace Penman cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Just click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Approaches That Translate Well to Online Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting swept away by them, and it focuses on taking action that aligns with personal values - this approach can be useful for anxiety, stress, and navigating life changes. Attachment-Based Therapy explores early relational patterns and how they influence current relationships and intimacy, helping clients understand and shift unhelpful dynamics born from attachment injuries. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured approach used to process past traumatic memories and the distress they cause, often helping people reduce the intensity of those memories through guided processing.Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Grace Penman works collaboratively with clients to identify which methods best fit their needs, goals, and personal preferences. Licensed professionals can adapt these approaches for online work, and Grace will guide clients through options and adjustments so therapy feels like a good match.
Online sessions - whether by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging - make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, manage care around parenting and work, and maintain continuity during life transitions. These formats offer flexibility in how people engage with therapists and can support consistent, accessible care from wherever a client is located.