Sarah Benaud

I have worked as a Social Worker within NSW Health and Melbourne Health in Australia, including at Concord Centre for Mental Health, John Cade Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, Westmead Hospital Emergency Department and Critical Care, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospitals. My roles have included senior clinical and leadership positions, including Team Leader Social Work in ICU and Critical Care, and Social Work Manager. 

I have also worked as a School Counsellor at Kellett School in Hong Kong and am currently the Team Leader of the School Counselling Service at Dubai English Speaking Schools.

I am an Australian Social Worker and School Counsellor with extensive experience supporting children, adolescents, adults, parents, and families through a wide range of emotional, psychological, and life challenges.

Before moving into international school counselling, I spent over a decade working in major hospital and mental health settings in Australia. During this time, I supported individuals and families in emergency departments, intensive care, critical care, inpatient mental health units, and specialist hospital services. This work involved counselling, crisis intervention, complex case management, and supporting people through acute mental health concerns, trauma, domestic and family violence, grief and loss, carer stress, adjustment to illness, and major life transitions.

My school counselling experience has allowed me to work closely with young people, parents, and school communities. I understand the pressures children and adolescents can face, including anxiety, low self-esteem, school avoidance, emotional regulation difficulties, friendship and relationship issues, family stress, and the challenges of growing up in expatriate and third-culture environments.

I understand that seeking support can feel overwhelming, whether for yourself, your child, or your family. My approach is warm, compassionate, practical, and non judgmental. I aim to create a safe space where people feel genuinely heard, respected, and supported.

I work in a person-centred, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive way. I collaborate with individuals and families to help them better understand their challenges, build resilience, strengthen relationships, and develop practical strategies for meaningful and lasting change.