Hi I’m Jess.
I’m all about common-sense counselling.
I'm Jess Kolbe, an Australian counsellor, educator and creator of The Fundamentals.
I've spent more than 25 years working with people across frontline services, including child protection, addiction, women's services, trauma, young people and community services, alongside more than a decade in private counselling practice.
Alongside counselling, I provide professional training and workshops across Queensland, translating mental health concepts into practical approaches people can actually use.
My approach is pretty simple: mental health information shouldn't be so complicated that you can't use it when you actually need it.
That's why I created The Fundamentals — practical mental health education that helps people understand what's happening in their body, emotions and mind, and gives them something useful to do with that information.
Professional Background
Jess is a qualified counsellor, social worker, educator and trainer with more than 25 years' experience across counselling, child protection, youth services, trauma, alcohol and other drug services, women's services and community-based practice.
Her qualifications include:
Master of Social Work — 2026
Master of Human Services – Teaching — Griffith University
Bachelor of Social Sciences – Counselling — University of the Sunshine Coast
Bachelor of Arts – Youth Studies — Victoria University of Technology
Graduate Diploma of Substance Abuse Studies — Victoria University of Technology
Vocational Certificate – Developmental Trauma — Australian Childhood Foundation
Diploma of Community Services – Youth Work — Victoria University of Technology
Diploma of Business Management — Australian Institute of Flexible Learning
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment — Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE
Jess has also undertaken specialist training in Narrative Therapy, trauma-responsive practice and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as well as international Train-the-Trainer programs through Cornell University in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention and CARE.
The Fundamentals is about helping you help yourself.
Through the podcast, online courses and practical resources, I share the ideas and strategies I've found most useful throughout my work — in a way that makes sense outside a counselling room.
Because understanding yourself shouldn't require a psychology degree.
I invite you to check out “the Fundamentals" podcast and our online course resources.