11/05/2026
Introducing myself
For those who are new here, I thought I would take a moment to introduce myself properly.
My name is Grant Finlay, and I am a Clinical Counsellor based in Bendigo. I work with individuals, couples, adolescents, young people and adults, supporting people through anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, emotional overwhelm, life transitions and the quiet heaviness that can build over time.
Before becoming a counsellor, my first career was in education. I grew up in regional New South Wales and later worked as a teacher and school leader across Australia and the United Kingdom. During those years, I saw the impact that poor mental health can have on students, teachers, families and whole communities.
That experience stayed with me.
Over time, I became increasingly drawn to the deeper work of helping people heal, not just manage or push through. I went on to complete a Master of Counselling and retrained as a counsellor, bringing with me more than twenty years of experience in education, leadership, wellbeing and human connection.
A significant part of my work now sits in the trauma recovery space, and this is something I am deeply proud of. I support people who are carrying the impact of painful, overwhelming or distressing experiences, helping them work toward safety, clarity and healing at a pace that feels manageable.
My practice is called Collaborative Connections Counselling because I believe healing happens through safe, respectful and collaborative relationships. Therapy is not something done to a person. It is something we work through together.
I have a strong interest in how trauma, distress and unresolved experiences can remain stored in the mind and body long after the event itself has passed. Seeing the transformational benefits of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing and Eye Movement Integration Therapy had a profound impact on me. I knew I needed to train in these approaches because I could see how powerful they could be in helping people process trauma, anxiety and distress in a contained and manageable way.
I also draw on parts work therapies, strength based approaches and, in my couples work, principles from the Gottman Method. My work is integrative, trauma informed and tailored to the person sitting in front of me.
I value creating a counselling space that is inclusive, culturally aware and respectful of people from all walks of life. Whoever you are, whatever your background, identity or story, my hope is that you feel met with care, dignity and understanding.
I am also grateful to have formed meaningful partnerships with local organisations in and around Bendigo. Their support, trust and collaboration mean a great deal to me. Building strong local connections matters, because good mental health support does not happen in isolation. It grows through community.
Looking ahead, one of my next goals is to establish a monthly men’s support group in Bendigo. I would love to create a grounded, respectful space where men can talk honestly, build connection, and support one another without pressure or judgement. I think there is a real need for this, and I am excited to keep developing it.
Outside the counselling room, I live on an acreage just out of Bendigo. Nature, space, quiet and creativity are important parts of my life. They remind me to slow down, breathe, notice what matters and stay connected to the kind of work I want to offer others.
At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief:
People can heal.
Not always quickly. Not always neatly. But with the right support, safety and connection, meaningful change is possible.
