Donald van Eupen

General Psychologist & Clinical Psychology Registrar

BSc (Hons) Psych with Counselling M Clinical Psych

PRONOUNS: He/Him

Donald is a compassionate and dedicated therapist who believes in meeting everyone exactly where they are. He understands that life is full of challenges, and navigating them is not always straightforward. Donald views each person’s struggles with empathy, recognising them as a reflection of their best efforts to cope with difficult circumstances. When someone reaches out for help, often after trying their very best, he holds deep respect for the courage it takes to take this often daunting and vulnerable step. He approaches each person’s reasons for seeking therapy with care and understanding, ensuring they feel seen, valued, and supported.

Therapy with Donald is kind, professional, and collaborative, tailored to each person’s unique needs and goals. Whether someone is grappling with difficulties in their relationships or within themselves, he offers a non-judgmental environment where exploration, healing, and growth can happen. He sees therapy as not only a space to address struggles but also a relational experience where clients can better understand patterns that emerge in their lives, including in the therapeutic relationship itself. Donald works to provide a steady, reliable presence throughout the therapeutic journey, offering a calm and grounding approach that clients can rely on.

Donald also recognises that not everyone comes to therapy with clear goals or a full understanding of why they feel stuck. He believes that much of what shapes how we feel and cope with life’s challenges—particularly in how we relate to ourselves and others—can be deeply influenced by early experiences, often in ways we aren’t fully aware of. Therapy offers a supportive space to explore emotions, patterns, and motivations that might feel confusing or contradictory. By gently uncovering what may be hidden or difficult to face, clients can begin to make sense of their experiences and discover new ways to navigate their lives.

As a Registered Psychologist and Clinical Psychology Registrar with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), Donald is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical and professional practice. With extensive cross-cultural experience, he has worked with people from all walks of life and deeply respects the diversity of each person’s identity, history, and lived experience. He takes a holistic approach, considering the whole person—their life context, relationships, and past experiences—to support a fuller understanding of themselves and their challenges.

Donald holds a Master of Clinical Psychology from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology with Counselling from The Open University in the UK. He has completed advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), including the Externship, Core Skills in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), and Essentials and Mastering Skills trainings in Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFiT).

His integrative clinical approach draws on psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, and systemic therapies. He also incorporates insights from introductory training in a range of modalities, including Bowen’s Intergenerational Family Systems Therapy, Minuchin’s Structural Family Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Metacognitive Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Schema Therapy. These experiences allow Donald to draw from a broad range of perspectives, grounding therapy in evidence-based practice and what is most relevant to each person’s unique circumstances.

Whether someone is seeking to better understand themselves, navigate life’s challenges, or strengthen their relationships, Donald is committed to being a constant, dependable presence. He walks alongside his clients with care, curiosity, and empathy, providing a space where even the most complex or unconscious struggles can be gently explored. Together, therapy becomes a process of healing, growth, and finding meaningful change.

Donald’s diary is open to new individuals and couples/relationships, with availability online and in-person on Tuesdays -Thursdays & online only Wednesdays