Liisa Hiltunen, PACFA
PACFA counsellor supporting life transitions
- 20 years experience
- Expat and family specialist
- Online sessions available
About Liisa Hiltunen
Liisa Hiltunen is a PACFA clinical counsellor with more than 20 years of experience supporting individuals, families, and professionals through personal and career-related challenges. She holds dual Master’s degrees in Counselling and Business Coaching as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in design, which together inform a holistic practice that attends to emotional wellbeing, relationships, work, leadership, and life direction. PACFA refers to the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, indicating her recognised standing within the Australian counselling profession.
Having lived and worked across Australia, the USA, the UK, Europe, and Asia, Liisa brings specialist experience in expatriate adjustment, relocation, and the identity shifts that come with living between cultures. She routinely supports expat partners, children, and families through cultural transition and the practical and emotional impacts of moving abroad. In professional settings she offers executive and C-suite coaching as well as employee assistance program support, focusing on mental and emotional clarity, sustainable performance, and evidence-based strategies for leaders.
Her practice addresses a broad range of issues including brain fog, emotional instability, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and the pressures of leadership and responsibility. Liisa’s approach is trauma-informed, collaborative, and pragmatic. She blends evidence-based counselling with practical tools such as SMART goal-setting, creative problem-solving, and design-thinking. She also helps clients reconnect with values, meaning, and purpose, bringing direct guidance alongside a gentle, spiritually informed perspective when it suits the client.
As a mother of three grown adults, Liisa applies real-world understanding of family dynamics, developmental stages, and long-term relationship complexities. She works from the premise that the client is the expert in their own life and offers perspective, structure, and support to help people move forward with clarity and confidence. Reaching out for help is an act of courage, and Liisa welcomes those who are ready to begin that process.
Having lived and worked across Australia, the USA, the UK, Europe, and Asia, Liisa brings specialist experience in expatriate adjustment, relocation, and the identity shifts that come with living between cultures. She routinely supports expat partners, children, and families through cultural transition and the practical and emotional impacts of moving abroad. In professional settings she offers executive and C-suite coaching as well as employee assistance program support, focusing on mental and emotional clarity, sustainable performance, and evidence-based strategies for leaders.
Her practice addresses a broad range of issues including brain fog, emotional instability, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and the pressures of leadership and responsibility. Liisa’s approach is trauma-informed, collaborative, and pragmatic. She blends evidence-based counselling with practical tools such as SMART goal-setting, creative problem-solving, and design-thinking. She also helps clients reconnect with values, meaning, and purpose, bringing direct guidance alongside a gentle, spiritually informed perspective when it suits the client.
As a mother of three grown adults, Liisa applies real-world understanding of family dynamics, developmental stages, and long-term relationship complexities. She works from the premise that the client is the expert in their own life and offers perspective, structure, and support to help people move forward with clarity and confidence. Reaching out for help is an act of courage, and Liisa welcomes those who are ready to begin that process.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMulticultural concernsNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryVisually impairedWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Mindfulness Therapy Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems Systemic Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Liisa Hiltunen have?
Liisa Hiltunen has 20 years of experience.
Is Liisa Hiltunen a licensed therapist?
Yes. Liisa holds PACFA accreditation.
In which languages does Liisa Hiltunen provide therapy?
Liisa provides therapy in English.
Where is Liisa Hiltunen located?
Liisa is located in Australia.
How can I work with Liisa Hiltunen as my therapist?
You can work with Liisa through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Liisa Hiltunen work with international clients?
Liisa Hiltunen does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Liisa Hiltunen 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, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. 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.
Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Support
Liisa integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment-Based Therapy alongside client-centered principles to support clients in remote formats. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without being driven by them, then take meaningful action aligned with their values - it is useful for stress, anxiety, and life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relational patterns shape current relationships and emotional responses, helping people address intimacy, abandonment, and attachment issues that affect family and romantic life. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and the client’s own resources, creating a respectful space for self-discovery and confidence building.
Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the collaborative process. Liisa works with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the focus as therapy progresses so the client and therapist can jointly decide what is most helpful.
Online therapy with Liisa is offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to maximize accessibility and scheduling flexibility. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care around work, family, relocation, and travel, while allowing sessions to be tailored to each client’s pace and practical circumstances.