About me

Hi, I'm Jo Barrie, a counsellor based in Sydney and the founder of Firm Foundations Counselling.

I offer a calm, grounded space where you can speak openly about what feels heavy, uncertain or overwhelming, and begin to find steadier ground again.

My approach is shaped by a belief that people are resilient, even when life has stretched them beyond what feels manageable. I aim to meet each person with warmth, respect and without judgement, creating space to make sense of what is happening, gain clarity and work towards meaningful, practical change.

My background

My path into counselling has taken a few turns over the years. I began my career with a Bachelor of Nursing and Diploma of Midwifery, before moving into Child and Family Health and community-based nursing.

Those years gave me a very practical understanding of the pressures that can come with parenting, early childhood and family life — and of the impact that ongoing stress, exhaustion and burnout can have on our wellbeing and relationships.

Wanting to support people more fully through these seasons of life led me to complete a Masters of Counselling, along with further training in child mental health and trauma. I am a registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association.

Who I work with

I have a particular interest in supporting people in relationships and through the different seasons those relationships move through. This might mean preparing for marriage, wanting to strengthen connection, navigating the demanding years of raising young children, or reaching a crossroads and feeling unsure about what comes next.

I also work with adults experiencing anxiety, stress, grief, burnout, life transitions and relationship difficulties. My work is particularly suited to people who find themselves stretched across multiple roles — caring for others, managing work and family responsibilities, and perhaps realising there hasn't been much space left for themselves.

Counselling can provide room to slow things down, understand what is happening beneath the surface, and consider what you would like to be different.

How I work

My counselling approach is warm, collaborative and grounded in evidence-based practice. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we'll work together to understand what matters to you and what will be most helpful for your particular circumstances.

There may be things to understand and process, patterns to recognise, practical strategies to explore, or simply a need for a safe place to put words around what you have been carrying.

You don't need to arrive with all the answers — just a willingness to begin.

Outside of work, I value family, faith, getting out in nature, and the simple rhythms that help keep us anchored through busy seasons of life.

If you're considering counselling, you're very welcome to get in touch. Sometimes that first conversation is simply a place to begin — and from there, we can work towards creating firm foundations for meaningful and lasting change.