Crew Wellbeing Starts here

Counselling & Mental Health Support for Yacht Crew

Confidential  |  Professional  |  Tailored for Yacht Crew

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Why Mental Health Support is Essential in Yachting

In recent times, we have seen a new movement of crew coming through who no longer see seeking help as a sign of weakness. Moreover, I have an equal ratio of men and women who utilise my counselling service. What we need to realise is that mental health struggles are just as real as physical injuries. Would you ignore a broken arm? Then why ignore stress, anxiety, or depression?

According to the 2024 Yachtie Minds Matter survey of yacht crew:

  •  72% of yacht crew have experienced mental health challenges or know someone who has.
  • 40% have experienced unwanted physical contact onboard.
  • 50% have faced unwanted sexual or sexist comments.
  • 51% have battled depression, and 45% have experienced anxiety or panic attacks.
  • 13% have had suicidal thoughts.

Additional Benefits of Our Counselling Service

How I Can Support You

All sessions are 100% confidential

Private Counselling

A safe, judgement-free space to talk about what you can’t say onboard. Crew come to counselling when they’re: Running on empty but feel they have to “push through” Anxious, low, overwhelmed, or emotionally numb Struggling with burnout, panic, or constant pressure Using alcohol or other coping habits to switch off Carrying grief, loss, or unresolved experiences from sea or home Sessions are confidential, grounded, and tailored to you — not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Crew Conflict & Relationship Support

Guidance on handling difficult crew dynamics, communication breakdowns, and workplace conflicts. Counselling support for: Ongoing tension with a crewmate or HOD Feeling isolated, excluded, or targeted Communication breakdowns that escalate fast in close quarters Power imbalances, boundary issues, or inappropriate behaviour Replaying situations in your head and not knowing how to move forward

Resilience & Mental Wellbeing Coaching

“Being tough” isn’t the same as being well. Support to help you: Regulate stress and calm your nervous system Set boundaries without guilt Rebuild emotional resilience after long seasons or toxic boats Understand your triggers and early burnout signs Stay grounded in an industry that rarely slows down

Career Crossroads & Life Transitions

Planning your next steps? We’ll help you navigate career changes, post-yachting life, and finding balance. Support for crew who are: Unsure if they want to stay in yachting Preparing to leave but feeling lost or scared Navigating identity shifts post-yachting Balancing ambition with wellbeing Wanting clarity without pressure to decide right now We slow the noise, unpack what matters, and help you move forward with intention.

Meet Your Counsellor

I am the founder of The Crew Coach and an experienced counsellor and advocate for crew wellbeing.

A former superyacht Chief Stewardess turned qualified counsellor and mental health educator, I know firsthand the unique challenges of yachting, the long hours, intense pressure, and the feeling that you always have to “keep it together.” But the truth is, you don’t have to handle everything alone.

Prior to being the Director of The Crew Coach, I worked in maximum security prisons across Australia providing individual and group therapy as well as wrote bespoke programmes in the field of psycho-education. 

Whether you’re struggling with stress, burnout, anxiety, workplace conflict, or personal challenges, I provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can talk openly and find practical solutions.

  • PACFA-registered counsellor with a Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology and Organisational Psychology, and postgraduate qualifications in counselling and business.

  • Years of Experience in the counselling profession

  • Worked in maximum security prisons across Australia before bringing that experience to yacht crew

"I know first-hand the unique pressures that come with working in yachting.My mission is to create a space where crew can say the thing they haven't said to anyone else and know it stays there".

Practical, Proven Approaches for Crew Wellbeing

I use a mix of evidence-based therapies to help crew navigate personal and professional challenges, including:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Manage negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping strategies.

Person-Centred Therapy

A compassionate, crew-focused approach tailored to your needs.

Solution-Focused Therapy

Find practical steps to resolve challenges and move forward with confidence.

Positive Psychology

Focus on strengths, resilience, and overall well-being.

Invest In Your Career Today

Single Session

€ 155 per session
  • One-on-one private session with Karine

Wellness Package

€ 790
50
  • 6-session bundle for ongoing support
Save 15%

Testimonials

I came to Karine overwhelmed, burnt out, and unsure of my future. Working with her has been genuinely life-changing. She helped me understand myself, my values, and the importance of boundaries. I now have clarity, direction, and emotional balance I never thought possible.

Anonymous

Before working with Karine, I felt unsupported, overwhelmed, and depressed. Through our sessions, I’ve gained confidence, calm, optimism, and trust in myself and others. Her space is safe, supportive, and deeply inspiring.

Anonymous

I was frustrated, lost, and hopeless. Karine’s presence is grounding and compassionate—she helped me make sense of my emotions and build a more positive direction in both my personal and professional life.

D.

I was burnt out, stressed, and disconnected from myself. Karine helped me prioritise my wellbeing, set boundaries, and rebuild my sense of purpose. She listens deeply and gives advice that truly shifts your perspective.

Clanjof

I felt unworthy and emotionally shut down. Karine helped me identify patterns that were holding me back and guided me toward healthier ways of thinking. I feel understood, supported, and empowered in a way I’ve never experienced before.

Zoe

I was stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed with responsibility. Working with Karine gave me insight into myself, my relationships, and how to step into leadership with emotional clarity. A complete shift in how I show up.

Emma

I was lost in life and my emotions were controlling me. Karine helped me break cycles of negative thinking and understand myself on a deeper level. Her guidance shows up in my daily decisions and has helped me move forward with confidence.

Kate

I came into coaching overwhelmed and unsure of my place onboard. Karine helped me unpack the beliefs driving my negativity and rebuild my confidence. Her compassion, clarity, and care have been transformational.

Calvin

I felt worthless, depressed, and alone. Karine helped me build self-worth, confidence, and the tools to look after my mental health. She creates a safe space where you feel truly heard—no judgement, only support.

Tom

I was uncentred and confused about who I was and what I wanted. Through our work, I gained immense self-awareness and clarity about my values. Karine helped me reconnect with my truth and trust myself again.

Cameron

Frequently Asked Questions

Any yacht crew member who needs mental health support

Yes. Counselling is strictly confidential.
Nothing you share is reported to your captain, management company, or employer. Sessions are private, discreet, and held to professional ethical standards.

Many crew worry about confidentiality because of industry overlap, that concern is valid. Your privacy is protected.

No. Most crew book counselling before things reach breaking point.

Common reasons include:

  • Feeling constantly overwhelmed or on edge

  • Struggling to switch off

  • Questioning whether yachting is still right for them

  • Replaying situations or conversations in their head

  • Feeling “flat,” burnt out, or emotionally exhausted

You don’t need a diagnosis to deserve support.

If you’re asking the question, it’s usually worth a conversation.

You don’t need to be certain. You just need to be open to support.

Try a free 15-minute discovery call to explore your options with no commitment.

No. Seeking support is not a weakness and does not go on any record.

Counselling is a personal, confidential resource, not a professional mark against you. In fact, many crew find that counselling helps them show up more grounded, clearer, and emotionally regulated at work.

You can talk about:

  • Conflict with crewmates or HODs

  • Feeling targeted, isolated, or undermined

  • Power dynamics onboard

  • Communication breakdowns

  • Inappropriate or uncomfortable behaviour

You won’t be told to “just toughen up” or “let it go.” We work through it thoughtfully and safely.

Yes, without judgement.

Many crew use alcohol or other coping strategies to decompress after long, high-pressure days. Counselling offers a space to explore what’s going on underneath and look at healthier, sustainable ways to cope at your pace.

That’s more common than people admit.

This support is:

  • Practical, grounded, and real-world

  • Informed by the realities of life at sea

  • Trauma-aware and non-judgemental

  • Focused on helping you function and feel better, not analysing you endlessly

If something doesn’t feel helpful, we talk about it.

Yes and it’s one of the most common issues crew bring.

Burnout often shows up as:

  • Emotional numbness

  • Irritability or shutdown

  • Constant fatigue

  • Loss of motivation or joy

  • Feeling trapped or resentful

Counselling helps you understand what’s happening in your nervous system and how to recover, not just “push through.”

Yes. This support is tailored to the unique pressures of the superyacht industry  long hours, close quarters, hierarchy, isolation, and high expectations.

You won’t need to explain or justify your world. It’s understood.

Take the first step toward better mental health.