The Team
Who We Are
Dayna Taberner
Founder & Director
Dayna Taberner is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and the director of Mental Health Counselling Geelong, with over 18 years’ experience in clinical mental health and a Master of Mental Health Sciences.
Her primary focus is trauma-informed therapy with a strong EMDR focus. Dayna supports people aged 14 and over who are living with the impacts of trauma, including feeling on edge, shut down, overwhelmed, stuck in patterns that don’t make sense, or finding that the past keeps showing up in the present.
She also works with anxiety and depression, neurodivergence (ADHD, Autism and AuDHD), eating disorders, LGBTQIA+ affirming care and gender diversity-related concerns, and relationship or family difficulties. Dayna also provides clinical supervision for allied health professionals.
Sessions are paced and collaborative, with a strong focus on safety, consent, and choice. EMDR is offered in a way that is carefully titrated and tailored to you, with grounding, stabilisation, and practical strategies alongside deeper processing when (and if) you’re ready. Dayna draws on EMDR, ACT and CBT-based approaches (including CBT-E where appropriate), based on your goals and what feels most supportive.
If you’d like to book an appointment, click the button below.
Natalie Smith
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
Natalie Smith is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who supports children and adults (as well as couples and families) with anxiety, depression, trauma and the impacts of stressful life experiences.
She brings over 20 years’ experience across a range of settings, including trauma recovery, youth support, family dynamics, homelessness, return-to-work programs, and supporting people who have experienced abuse.
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Natalie’s work is trauma-informed and grounded in creating a calm, compassionate space where you can slow things down, make sense of what’s been happening, and build practical strategies that fit day-to-day life.
She has specialised training in EMDR, CBT, ACT and DBT, and has a strong focus on supporting PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
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Natalie has a particular interest in working with neurodivergent children and adolescents, including autistic young people and those with ADHD/ADD. Her approach is neuroaffirming and tailored, supporting young people (and families) with overwhelm, emotional regulation, school stress, social fatigue, and confidence.
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Natalie is inclusive and affirming of LGBTQIA+ clients. She is also able to provide therapeutic support under the NDIS framework (with current NDIS worker screening and registration).
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Warm, skilled, and deeply committed, Natalie offers therapy that is respectful, collaborative, and focused on meaningful change.
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If you'd like to book an appointment, click the button below.
