WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLOR?

Professional counsellors in Australia are qualified mental health professionals who must be registered with a professional body such as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), or Australian Registry of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP), for example.

WHAT HAPPENS IN COUNSELLING?

Briefly, professional counselling mostly utilises talk-based therapy which involves a confidential, non-judgemental and collaborative approach with our clients using evidence-based practice and usually a person-centred approach to assist with navigating challenges in our client’s life.  We also support our clients navigating mental illness and often, with the client’s consent, collaborate with other mental health professionals to provide an integrated and holistic model of care.  You will often find that many professional counsellors are also trained psychotherapists and/or integrate psychotherapy into their work.

WHAT CAN A PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLOR DO FOR ME?

Your counsellor can provide a safe and confidential space for you to connect with them and tell your story.  They will listen with compassion and empathy, and assess and collaborate with you to understand why you have landed where you are in this time and place, and then provide therapeutic and practical tools, as well as proven strategies to assist you with moving forward in your life.

WHAT CAN A PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLOR NOT DO?

Your counsellor cannot provide you with a medical or mental illness diagnosis or prescribe any medications.  Your counsellor is not able to give you legal advice or guidance on matters of law. Your counsellor will not normally tell you what to do or give you advice.

WHAT ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY?

• Counsellors must attend regular supervision with a qualified supervisor where they discuss their cases and make sure that they are working ethically, legally, and to a standard of excellence.  However, names and personal details of clients will not be shared.
• It is important to note that in Australia, professional counsellors are mandated reporters.  If your counsellor becomes aware that either yourself or anyone else you are connected with is in danger, then they are required by law to report this to the relevant authorities as confidentiality agreements that interfere with safety are to be considered void.
  
• In the event that your notes or your counsellor has been subpoenaed by a court.
• In the event that your consent has been given for me to discuss your agreed information with another person or professional.
• If you are under 18 then we will discuss your confidentiality issues and what that can look like for you.

Our conversations and your case notes will be protected with strict confidentiality.  However, please note that there are certain conditions when there are limitations to confidentiality:



HOW DO I KNOW IF COUNSELLING WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR ME?

Professional counselling can be beneficial for you in so many ways.  It doesn’t have to be only for when you are navigating a personal or professional crisis, or managing mental illness.  Have you considered that  learning skills and strategies to help you with managing and maintaining your mental and emotional health can be great reasons alone? Sometimes it may not even be an issue that you might be navigating personally, but would like to know how to support someone you care about.

It takes tremendous courage to reach out and ask for help, and is more a sign of strength in oneself, and of hope in a life that can be of peace, joy, and fulfillment.  There is no weakness in taking the steps to work on oneself and towards a life that aligns with what matters most to us.  When we are brave enough to show up and do the work in this space we allow for the possibility of calm and stability in our lives.

HOW DO I KNOW IF YOU’RE THE RIGHT COUNSELLOR FOR ME?

I suggest that you start with exploring my website. Take a look at the ABOUT page and then see the issues that I specialise in.  The next step would be to connect with me via my CONTACT page so that we can schedule a free 20 minute session. 

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE 20 MINUTE FREE SESSION?

This is a great way for us to meet each other.  We can schedule this session for a phone or online call, and can chat about what your presenting needs are, and the help that you are looking for - your questions are welcome and encouraged.  I’ll let you know when I’m available  and how I work.  You will be able to get a feel for the person that I am and if you think I could be the right counsellor for you.  There is no pressure to commit to future sessions within that appointment, you are welcome to take some time to think about it.  However, if it looks like we are a good fit for each other and you’re happy to take the next step, then we can go ahead and schedule your Intake Session.

Sometimes it turns out that I may not be the best counsellor for you, and that’s absolutely fine.  If that’s the case, I will do my best to provide you with resources and refer you to someone who is more suitable.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE 20 MINUTE FREE SESSION?

This is a great way for us to meet each other.  We can schedule this session for a phone or online call, and can chat about what your presenting needs are, and the help that you are looking for - your questions are welcome and encouraged.  I’ll let you know when I’m available  and how I work.  You will be able to get a feel for the person that I am and if you think I could be the right counsellor for you.  There is no pressure to commit to future sessions within that appointment, you are welcome to take some time to think about it.  However, if it looks like we are a good fit for each other and you’re happy to take the next step, then we can go ahead and schedule your Intake Session.

Sometimes it turns out that I may not be the best counsellor for you, and that’s absolutely fine.  If that’s the case, I will do my best to provide you with resources and refer you to someone who is more suitable.

HOW LONG ARE THE SESSIONS?

An Intake Session is approximately an hour and 20 minutes.  This is your initial session and where we discuss your relevant history, your present circumstances and the hoped for outcomes that you would like to see come from our conversations together. 

All other sessions are for 60 minutes, however, there is an option for extended sessions for an hour and a half.

HOW LONG SHOULD WILL COUNSELLING TAKE?

Each person is unique so it’s impossible to say for sure on an FAQs page, however, I can say that the best outcomes occur when appointments are scheduled and attended regularly.  I have clients who’ve only needed a few sessions and then others who have worked with me on and off for years.  Depending on your situation and hoped for outcomes, I suggest in the beginning, that we plan for your Intake Session and then 6 Individual Sessions either weekly or fortnightly.  We will then assess and collaborate to decide what our next steps could look like.

DO I NEED A REFERRAL?

No, there is no referral required.

WHAT ARE THE FEES?

As of May, 2023:

$170 for an Individual Intake Session (approx 80 minutes)

$140 for an Individual 60 minute Session

$200 for an Individual Extended Session (approx 90 minutes)

$220 for an Couples Session (approx 90 minutes)

Group sessions are dependent on the next type of group running.

CAN I USE MY MENTAL HEALTH CARE PLAN (MEDICARE) OR PRIVATE INSURANCE?

Medicare doesn’t cover the services of Professional Counsellors at this time.  If you have a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), then you will need a referral from your GP for a psychologist or psychiatrist.

At this stage my services are not listed with any private insurance providers.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT THE GROUP SESSIONS AVAILABLE?

Please reach out to me via the CONTACT page so that I can let you know when, where and what platform the next group is being offered.