What is peer counselling and how is it different from regular therapy?

Peer counselling means you are speaking with someone who has walked the path. You don't have to spend the first three sessions explaining industry terminology, safety protocols, or the nuances of the 'double life.' Because I have lived experience as a sex worker, our sessions bypass the 'burden of education' and go straight to the heart of your experience with a foundation of mutual understanding.

Do I have to use my legal name or provide ID?

Your privacy is my highest priority. While I require a way to contact you (such as your ProtonMail address), you are welcome to use a 'working name' or pseudonym during our sessions. My practice is built on a foundation of clinical confidentiality and digital security to ensure your identity remains protected.

Will you try to 'save' me or tell me to quit the industry?

Absolutely not. My practice is rights-based and sex-positive. I believe sex work is work. My role is not to dictate your career path, but to support your mental health, agency, and well-being. Whether you are happily working, navigating workplace trauma, or considering a transition out of the industry, the agenda is always yours.

Can we talk about drug or alcohol use without judgment?

Yes. I specialize in addiction recovery and harm reduction. If you are struggling with substance use or navigating the intersection of the industry and addiction, this is a safe, non-pathologizing space. We focus on your goals—whether that is total abstinence, controlled use, or simply staying safe.

How do we meet, and is it discreet?

I offer sessions via Telehealth (secure video call) across Australia, as well as in-person options in Melbourne and Sydney. My booking and communication systems are chosen for their encryption and discretion. Your bank statement will reflect a professional counselling service, maintaining your privacy at every step.

Hi I’m Sammy, a peer sex worker and qualified counsellor.

I have a Bachelor of Counselling (PACFA registered) and over 5 years experience working in the sex industry. I provide trauma informed counselling that is built on evidence based clinical interventions and a deeply person centred philosophy. I also specialise in treating drug and alcohol addiction.

Book a free 15 min Call

My Process

I take an integrative approach, which means I don’t force your story into a single rigid framework. Instead, I draw from a toolkit of evidence-based interventions to create a plan that is tailored to you and where you want to go. I balance broad psychodynamic exploration with practical, actionable strategies. Here are some examples of some approaches I draw on;

Gestalt Therapy: We focus on the "here and now," helping you become more aware of how you experience emotions in your body and mind in the present moment.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): We’ll identify and reframe the thought patterns that keep you stuck, helping you shift your perspective and your reactions.
Psychodynamic Therapy: We explore the unconscious, your childhood experiences and internal conflicts that make sense of who you are today
Family Systems Therapy: We explore the "invisible threads" of your upbringing and relationships, understanding how your family dynamics have shaped your current worldview.

"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." — Carl Rogers

Hi I’m Sammy, a peer sex worker and qualified counsellor.

My Process

facethestrangecounselling@proton.me