Frequently asked questions
What if I'm unsure about counselling ?
If you're unsure about the counselling, you're welcome to phone me for an initial 5-10 minute chat. Otherwise you can simply book a first session by emailing me or using the form on my contact page.
The first session is more of a ‘meet and greet’ to see if we could work well together and you can bring any questions you have about the counselling. There is no obligation for you to book ongoing counselling after this first session and I don't require you to sign up for a certain number of sessions.
How much does it cost ?
I try to make the counselling as affordable as possible for all women who need it. I don't believe counselling should only be available to those who can afford to pay expensive fees, so I charge reasonable rates. I also offer a ‘sliding scale’ fee structure for clients who would otherwise struggle to access regular counselling - so if you think you can't afford counselling, please get in touch. I also offer packages in situations where support might be needed over a certain period of time (ie counselling support at the end of life, for example).
Can I claim on Medicare or my private health insurance ?
Medicare rebates are only available for allied health providers such as psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers who are working within a mental health care plan. This is usually drawn up in consultation with a doctor such as your GP.
These providers often charge much more than the Medicare rebate, so you end up paying a 'gap' between the rebate and their fee. This gap is often more than what I charge as my hourly rate. If you're having difficulty finding a psychologist in your area who is affordable and has time available, then seeing a counsellor or psychotherapist privately could be an alternative you may want to consider. I'm happy to talk more about this with you if you want to ask more questions.
Do I need a referral from my GP ?
You don't need a referral from your GP to see a counsellor or psychotherapist privately. You can simply contact me directly and book a first appointment, it's that easy. However, if you want to see a psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker, your GP will need to draw up a mental health care plan and make the referral for you.
How many sessions will I need ?
I have no requirement for you to attend a certain number of sessions, and we usually talk about what your needs and expectations are for the therapy in the first session. Some women come for 6-10 weeks, others come for many months after experiencing a change in their lives or find they're in a longer life transition process where they need ongoing support. Some clients come regularly for years, finding the therapy enables them to manage ongoing mental health issues, helping them to live their lives well, or for personal growth reasons. Clients have a sense at some stage in the process of therapy they've moved from a place of 'needing' therapy to one of greater equilibrium in their lives and after discussing this, they make the decision to finish therapy.
How often are the sessions ?
Counselling sessions happen regularly in order to build trust, safety and create consistency for the work, so clients usually come on a weekly basis at first. Some clients decide to come fortnightly once we've established good rapport. This also depends on their circumstances and how much support they need.
How long are the sessions ?
I offer sessions that are either 1 hour or 1.5 hours long. Many women find the longer sessions are very helpful, giving the space and time they need to get to know themselves much more deeply, and allowing time for some art therapy exercises or further realisations and shifts in understanding to happen.
How confidential is it ?
What you say to me in these sessions I treat with the utmost respect and I keep confidential, with very few exceptions. Only in rare circumstances am I required to break this confidentiality (ie, if serious harm might be caused to you or another person, a child is at risk, or a serious crime is disclosed, for example).
Are you registered ?
I am a member of the ACA - the 'Australian Counselling Association'. It's Australia’s largest single registration body for Counsellors and Psychotherapists with over 5,500 members. All registered ACA counsellors have completed professional qualifications in counselling or psychotherapy, meet ongoing professional development requirements and have clinical supervision of their practice to ensure they provide a quality service to clients and abide by the ethical guidelines of the profession.
Do you accept clients with NDIS funding?
Yes, I accept NDIS participants, please get in touch for more details.