FAQs

In counselling, you can expect a safe and confidential space to discuss your concerns, gain insights into your thoughts and feelings, and work collaboratively with a trained therapist to develop strategies for coping, personal growth, and emotional well-being.

If this sounds like it could be something that would be helpful for you, here are some next steps…

Book a free 10 minute consult to see if there is a good fit for us to work together

If we are a good fit you can either book during the consult, or through the booking system at a later time. There is no pressure to book in straight away.

Once your appointment is booked, you will complete an intake form prior to your first session. This form has some information that helps us in setting the scene for what is happening and what you’re wanting to get out of your sessions.

In your first appointment, I will go through some formalities – confirming privacy and confidentiality, how we work together collaboratively and your goals. Some of this information is included in the intake form. I want to ensure you’re fully informed about counselling before you start the process. There is also time for your questions and checking if you need to clarify anything.

The first session is primarily about us building rapport and understanding what’s brought you to counselling. This includes understanding how long this has been an issue, when it is worst, or best, and other exploratory questions to understand the challenge you’re experiencing. I will be listening attentively and asking more questions than in a regular session, to gain an understanding of what’s been happening for you. This process is collaborative so your questions are important. As I listen and reflect back, I’m seeking to really understand what is happening and really get you.

From this, we start to get clear on your goals, or hopes, for therapy.

We will check in on your goals and hopes as we progress. These can change and evolve so we keep checking in that we’re moving in the direction you are wanting.

Therapeutic coaching combines the goal-oriented nature of coaching with the depth of therapeutic work. This approach helps you clarify your vision, create actionable steps, and stay accountable, while also addressing any emotional or psychological challenges that may arise. Whether you’re seeking personal growth, professional success, or both, therapeutic coaching offers a holistic path to transformation.

Coaching and counselling both provide valuable support, but they focus on different aspects of personal development. Coaching is more future-focused and action-oriented, helping you set and achieve specific goals. Counselling, on the other hand, involves deeper exploration of past experiences, emotions, and patterns, often with a focus on healing and emotional well-being. Depending on your needs, we may integrate both approaches.

Coaching is particularly beneficial for high achievers because it provides a structured approach to goal setting, accountability, and overcoming obstacles. As your coach, I help you gain clarity on your aspirations, create actionable plans, and stay on track with your personal and professional goals. Coaching also supports you in balancing your ambitions with self-care, helping you to achieve lasting fulfillment.

Counselling typically focuses on addressing immediate concerns and providing guidance, while psychotherapy delves deeper into long-term emotional and psychological issues for more profound healing and personal growth.

Typically counselling is shorter term however can be longer term. Psychotherapy is longer term in nature, due to the nature of the issues being worked with.

Psychotherapeutic work is a vehicle for delving into your emotions, thoughts and behaviours and allowing you to gain deeper self-awareness, foster personal growth, and develop healthier coping strategies to navigate life's challenges.

During your therapeutic sessions, you'll explore underlying patterns, meanings, emotions, defences, and beliefs that have been playing out in your life. We will cultivate self-awareness in various ways. One modality I particularly like is Focusing Oriented Therapy (FOT). FOT addresses emotional issues through bodily sensations and felt experiences to promote healing and self-awareness.

As therapy progresses, you'll develop a deeper understanding of why you've lived your life as you have and recognise when and where these patterns manifest. With time, as your emotions and self-assurance evolve through the psychotherapeutic process, you'll gain the security to co-create and experiment with new, more fulfilling ways of living. This journey will alleviate symptoms and enhance your relationship with both yourself and others.

Both psychotherapy and counselling provide you with a confidential space to explore personal and relational challenges safely.

I've found that many issues leading clients to therapy stem from unresolved experiences and their influence on life beliefs. My approach is firmly rooted in the transpersonal, which, in my perspective, means walking alongside you, offering guidance when sought, as you unearth answers from within yourself.

If this sounds like it could be for you, here are some next steps…

Book a free 10 minute consult to see if there is a good fit for us to work together

If we are a good fit you can either book during the consult, or through the booking system at a later time. There is no pressure to book in straight away.

Once your appointment is booked, you will complete an intake form prior to your first session. This form has some information that helps us in setting the scene for what is happening and what you’re wanting to get out of your sessions.

In your first appointment, I will go through some formalities – confirming privacy and confidentiality, how we work together collaboratively and your goals. Some of this information is included in the intake form. I want to ensure you’re fully informed about counselling before you start the process. There is also time for your questions and checking if you need to clarify anything.

The first session is primarily about us building rapport and understanding what’s brought you to counselling. This includes understanding how long this has been an issue, when it is worst, or best, and other exploratory questions to understand the challenge you’re experiencing. I will be listening attentively and asking more questions than in a regular session, to gain an understanding of what’s been happening for you. This process is collaborative so your questions are important. As I listen and reflect back, I’m seeking to really understand what is happening and really get you.

From this, we start to get clear on your goals, or hopes, for therapy.

We will check in on your goals and hopes as we progress. These can change and evolve so we keep checking in that we’re moving in the direction you are wanting.

You might need therapy if you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unable to manage your emotions or situations as you used to. Common signs include persistent stress, anxiety, burnout, difficulty sleeping, disconnection from others, or a sense of hopelessness. Therapy can provide support, new perspectives, and tools to help you navigate these challenges. If you're unsure, booking an initial consultation can be a good way to clarify if therapy is right for you.

During the initial consultation you can determine if you feel comfortable talking to me and opening up about your concerns. I will check I have the appropriate skills to support you in resolving your issue. During this session you have the opportunity to ask me whatever you’re wanting to know.

At the end of that session, if we are a good fit you can either book during the consult, or through the booking system at a later time. There is no pressure to book in straight away.

There’s an intake form to complete prior to your first session. This form has some information that helps us in setting the scene for what is happening and what you’re wanting to get out of your counselling sessions.

Sessions are 50 minutes (a therapy hour).

Current fees are detailed in bookings page on website, and displayed when booking a session. Fees are paid via direct deposit (preferred) or online, or through booking via appointment bookings page.

Payment is in advance for all sessions.

Counselling (unless with a psychologist) is not covered under the Medicare Rebate Scheme.

I am registered with the following Private Health Insurers for counselling and psychological services extras. BUPA, AIA Health Insurance, Emergency Services Health, Frank Health Insurance, GMHBA, Mildura Health Fund, Nurses & Midwives Health Pty Ltd, Phoenix Health Fund, Police Health Limited, see-u by HBF, St Lukes Health, Teachers Health (Teachers Federation Health Limited), TUH Health Fund (Qld Teachers Union Health Fund Limited), UniHealth and Westbound Health Insurance.

24 hours notice is required for appointment cancellations, otherwise, the fee is charged. This applies to appointments which are rescheduled within 24 hours, unless discretion is used to not charge given the circumstances.

This will depend on your individual situation. It will be influenced by the issue you’ve come to therapy for and the timing that works for you.

As a general guide, with many clients we start with weekly sessions, and as they progress, we may transition to bi-weekly, or every three weeks. It then becomes monthly, or even every 6 weeks.

We have this discussion collaboratively based on your needs, goals, and preferences.

I also have many weekly coaching clients who utilise sessions for staying focused and accountable. Counselling clients may stay with weekly sessions due to the issues they are facing or their current situation in regards to other supports, or the rhythm of staying focused on their growth and healing is something they wish to commit a weekly time to.

This is individual and depends on the issue you’re working with. Some issues can be resolved within a few sessions while others need many more. We will work together to decide how many sessions are right for you.

Frequency of sessions will depend on your issue, the level of distress and also financial factors. Some people choose to come weekly for a period of time and then change to fortnightly. Others stay weekly while some come every 2-3 weeks, and then some come once a month. Most clients start with a frequency that is shorter and then extend once they have stabilised and are doing some work between sessions and have developed resources or set up support systems.

Online counselling allows you to attend sessions via video or phone, offering flexibility and convenience. You can access therapy from your home, office, or even while travelling. Research shows that online counselling is as effective as face-to-face sessions, and it offers the same level of confidentiality and support. The added benefits include eliminating commute time and providing access to a broader range of therapists, regardless of location.

Research suggests online counselling can be as effective as face-to-face counselling for many people and it offers the advantages of convenience and ability to access more therapist who may not be in your geographical area. I have lots of experience with online counselling, having been working this way since 2020, and have witnessed its effectiveness, and the benefits to clients across Australia and those travelling, or living overseas.

Online counselling is not the most effective option for people experiencing a crisis in mental health, or those who do not have a safe space to participate in the session, or technology issues prevent a good connection.

You can use a laptop, desktop computer, tablet, or smart phone – anything that connects to the internet and has a camera and audio outlet. A stable internet connection is needed and headphones are recommended for privacy.

To get the most out of your session treat it with the same commitment you would an in-person session; find a quite and comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed.

Before your session have a bathroom break and grab some water. It can be handy to have some tissues nearby too.

Check your device is sufficiently charged and your space has adequate light

Avoid public spaces for online sessions as you will compromise your privacy and therefore confidentiality.

Confidentiality is a key aspect of the therapeutic relationship. Everything you talk about in our sessions is held in confidence. The only exceptions to this is where information is required to be disclosed due to:

1. A court subpoena

2. Failure to disclose the information would be reasonably believed to place you or another person at serious risk to life, health, or safety; or

3. Your prior approval being attained to:

   Provide a written report to another professional or agency, e.g., a GP or a lawyer, or

   Discuss the material with another person, e.g., a GP, lawyer, employer, parent; or

4. Disclosure is otherwise required by law

My counselling services are by appointment and not a crisis service. If your need is urgent, you are in crisis, or where you may be a danger to yourself or others, please call Emergency 000 or reach out to one of the helpline services listed, and updated here: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/mental-health-services/telephone-and-online-services