Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you tell us is confidential and we take this trust very seriously. It will not be breached unless the safety of yourself or others is at risk, or in rare circumstances, when information is requested from us by way of a warrant or subpoena. This will be explained to you in more detail at the first session.

It is sometimes useful to have one or two sessions with your partner present, if your relationship is being affected by personal issues. We offer ongoing couples counselling where both partners are committed to doing so. If your partner wants to have ongoing individual counselling with us then we will do so on the basis that the sessions are for their personal growth, not to talk about the other.

Unconditional, positive regard is what drives our approach, which means we do not believe that it is the counsellor’s role to decide what is right or wrong, or to make value judgements, about anything you have done or may choose to do. We will explore with you alternative ways of approaching your issue.

We are respectful of all people’s faiths, beliefs, cultures and sexuality. It is not the role of the counsellor to force their world view or opinions onto a client. It is the role of the counsellor to help you to understand the circumstance you find yourself in and to help you identify alternative ways to overcome your issue.

I have been working in the area of counselling for 16 years and have a Master of Counselling and a Certificate IV in Life Coaching. I have the highest level of membership (Clinical) as a Professional Counsellor and I am an Associate Certified Coach. I strive to be professional and ethical at all times in my relationships with clients and as a business owner. My personal boundaries include the preclusion of personal relationships with clients outside of counselling, confidentiality and the non-hugging of clients. I am unable to receive a gift or hug from a client.

Appointments last for an hour and can be set weekly or fortnightly as required. Long term clients may attend every few weeks or just as they need. Generally the length of the relationship is determined by you, and will vary for every client but typically is three to four sessions.

Most Health Funds do not, at this point, cover counselling fees. Check with your provider to see what they will or will not cover.

No, at this point, you cannot be referred to see us through a Medicare Mental Health Care Plan.
To receive a Medicare rebate, you must see a registered psychologist or a mental health social worker through a mental health plan prepared by a GP. Our current fee of $90 is between $15 & $45 more than the gap fee you will pay with a non-bulk billing provider.

You do not need a referral to see us. Just contact us for an appointment.

Depending upon your availability, we aim to have the first session within 7 business days of contact by phone. Second session is 1 to 2 weeks after the first session. If we cannot arrange a face to face appointment within seven business days; we will offer you a phone session no later than 48 hours from first contact. Our appointment times are flexible and after hour appointments are available.

No, except for newborns. It is too distracting for yourself and distressing to your child.

Payment is due at the start of each session. Cash is preferred, but payment by bank transfer can be arranged beforehand if desired. EFTPOS or credit card facilities are NOT available, to keep our fees low.

When you make an appointment, this time is allocated to you. Unlike other professional services, cancellations made within 48 hours of an agreed appointment are rarely able to be filled. Any cancelled appointments reduce our ability to keep our fees at their current rate. Therefore any no shows will be invoiced at full fee and any cancellations or reschedules with less than 48 hours’ notice will incur a cancellation fee of 30%. Fee payable before the start of the next appointment.

Life Coaches work with their clients to help them to maximise their potential. The coach’s job is to provide support to enhance the skills, resources, and creativity that the client already has. Coaches do not go into detail regarding a client’s past hurts or traumas.

Counsellors help clients to think in new ways, manage difficult emotional experiences more effectively, and practise different ways of behaving. They do this by listening and focusing on the client’s concerns and difficulties without judgement, helping the client to see things from a different perspective. Counsellors do not tell their clients what to do.

Psychology is predominately a medically-orientated model which focuses on diagnosis and symptom reduction of mental illness. A psychologist will assess and diagnose a problem and determine what’s best for ongoing care but is unable to prescribe medication.

Psychiatrists are mental health professionals who have trained first as a medical practitioner but have then gone on to receive specialised training in treating mental disorders, including the more serious ones such as schizophrenia and severe depression. Psychiatrists are able to prescribe medication.