Jacob Mangelsdorf , PACFA

Jacob Mangelsdorf is an experienced counsellor who has been practicing since 2008 and brings 18 years of clinical experience to his work. He supports people dealing with relationship difficulties, family of origin wounds, adult and childhood trauma, addictions, loss and grief, stress, and a range of mental health concerns. Jacob emphasizes understanding the context of a person’s life and uses compassionate inquiry to explore why someone is experiencing distress, where that distress is coming from, and what barriers are keeping them from the life they want.

He begins from a person-centred, holistic stance that prioritizes empathy, the client’s values, and clear boundaries, and integrates elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Gottman couples therapy, and family therapy as needed. Jacob has extensive experience with loss and grief, including work related to suicide and suicide intervention, and he particularly enjoys working with men to help improve relationships, work life, and overall wellbeing.

Jacob holds PACFA, a professional credential from the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, and provides therapy in English from his practice in Australia. Outside of the counselling room he is a father of two, a husband, a sport enthusiast, an experienced runner and a musician, and he brings those life experiences into his therapeutic perspective.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Care

Jacob brings a person-centred, holistic approach to online work, which focuses on empathy, the client’s own resources, and the broader life context that shapes behaviour and wellbeing. This approach helps people feel heard while building a foundation for change. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is also used to help clients clarify their values, learn practical ways to accept difficult thoughts or emotions, and take committed action toward a meaningful life. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is employed to identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns, which can reduce stress and improve day-to-day functioning.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Jacob works collaboratively with each person to determine which techniques best fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That collaborative planning helps ensure the work feels relevant and practical for the individual.

Online therapy with video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging provides flexibility for scheduling and lets people access consistent care from home or work. These options make it easier to maintain momentum between sessions, try strategies in real-life settings, and engage in therapy in ways that suit different communication styles and lifestyles.