The Klay Approach
Bec Klay believes that, much like clay, the human brain and emotional system have an innate capacity to adapt and transform when met with the right conditions. Change does not happen through force, but through patience, care, and gentle, attuned guidance over time.
In the same way a sculptor works slowly with clay, responding to its texture and limits rather than controlling it, a counsellor supports people to turn toward their emotional experiences, make sense of what they are feeling, and reshape long-held patterns that no longer serve them. Through this process, new ways of relating to self and others can emerge, fostering greater wellbeing and emotional balance.
And yes - incorporating her surname into her counselling practice felt too fitting to ignore (even with the different spelling).
Bec holds a Master of Counselling and is a Level 2 member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). With over a decade of experience working in multidisciplinary teams within clinical mental health settings, Bec has made a conscious decision to move away from a clinical or pathologising view of emotional distress.
Her approach is grounded in compassion and curiosity, with a focus on understanding the emotional and relational roots of a person’s struggles rather than relying on labels or diagnoses. Whilst Bec takes a non-pathologising approach to therapy, she is able to hold respect for the role diagnoses can play. A diagnosis will never be dismissed or minimised by Bec, however she is conscious that when people view themselves primarily through diagnostic categories, it can sometimes fragment their understanding of who they are.
Here, you’re not reduced to a diagnosis - you’re met as a whole person. In therapy, we gently look beyond diagnoses to understand you as a person who is shaped by relationships, experiences, emotions, and strengths. Bec is interested in how people have come to be where, and who, they are.
Meet Bec
Bec’s path into counselling has been shaped by her own early experiences of uncertainty, complexity, and emotional challenges. These experiences have given her a profound respect for the ways people adapt to difficult circumstances, and they inform her capacity to sit alongside those navigating pain, loss, disconnection, or emotional overwhelm with warmth and understanding.
Many people seek counselling with a sense that something isn’t quite right. If this resonates with you, Bec invites you to book a free 15-minute consultation call. This is a gentle, no-pressure space to share a little about yourself, ask questions, and get a feel for whether working together feels like the right fit.
Outside of the therapy room, Bec enjoys getting lost in a good book or TV series, going to Pilates, and spending time with her friends and family. She is a passionate AFL supporter, cheering (loudly) for Collingwood, though she hopes you won’t hold that against her.
Education & Qualifications
-
Master of Counselling
Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion
-
Australian Counselling Association, membership number: 28163
-
Bec is deeply committed to continuous professional development and education, ensuring that her clients receive the highest level of expertise and support.
Professional Development & Training:
2025: Gottman Method Couples Therapy - Level 1
2025: Advanced Training in Suicide Prevention, Black Dog Institute
2025: Narrative Therapy: The Basics, Mental Health Academy
2025: Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder: Mental Health Academy
2024: Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Michael Durrant
2024: Families and Trauma Work: Integrating Key Ideas from Individual and Systemic Practice, The Bouverie Centre
2020: Suicide Prevention: A Practitioner’s Guide, Australian Psychological Society
