Frequently Asked Questions about Counselling

The good news is no, you don't. ​ All you need to do is fill in the contact form, to book a 15 minute intro call, to see if we are the right 'fit' for each other. Then, if we both agree, we book your first appointment. No waiting weeks for a GP appointment to get a referral. Just fill in the contact form at the bottom of any page on my website, and I'll call you for a chat. It's almost too easy. Disclaimer: However, this easy way of connecting into counselling, without a GP referral & without a Mental Health Plan, should not deter you from seeking guidance from your doctor. If you feel you require that extra support, those "extra eyes" on your mental health, you can contact your GP, and let them know what you're planning. Do what's right for you.

No, you do not need a Mental Health Plan from your GP to access counselling. But..... ​ If you already have a Mental Health Plan, your GP may have recommended a specific profession for you, in your plan. For example, they might want you to see a psychologist about a possible diagnosis. If that's the case, a Counsellor may not be the right professional for you at this stage. Your GP might want you to explore a diagnosis first, with a psychologist who is trained in that type of diagnosis. After that, you can arrange a few sessions with a qualified and registered Counsellor, to do Talk Therapy. You can discuss how you feel, how life's going for you at the moment, maybe figure out some strategies for integrating a diagnosis into your life in a positive way, or managing some other kind of change, and considering different ways to move forward. Also, if your GP has recommended a specific Counsellor, and you want to choose your own Counsellor (for example, me) you can discuss this with your GP. They might recommend a Counsellor close to where you live, because it's convenient. But the nearest Counsellor, might not be the right one for you. If you have your own ideas about which Counsellor you would like to see, you can discuss this with your GP. The best Counsellor for you might not be available face-to-face; in-person. There are many talented Counsellors who deliver their service online throughout Australia, just like I do. Please don't feel like you have to choose someone nearby. You might choose to, but you don't have to. You have the whole of Australia to choose from. When you look for a counsellor, try to avoid disappointment, by choosing a Counsellor, who specialises in what you do as a job, your profession, or one who specialises in what you need to talk about. It might be worth driving a few extra miles, or connecting online over Zoom. You can chat to a Counsellor on the other side of the Country, from the comfort of your own home, car or office. You just to find a Counsellor who specialises, in you. To me, that makes more sense than choosing a Counsellor who is local, probably lives in the same community as you, and you bump into them at MacDonalds..... which might not be dreadful, if they're the right one for you..... but you need a Counsellor who specialises in what you do, or what you need to talk about, or both, ideally. I think that's important. How many times have you tried a Counsellor but they had no real understanding of your profession, or the issue you wanted to discuss? It's frustrating and disheartening, and if you're anything like me, then you worry about wasting your money. I know, because I've done it myself. I have blindly followed a recommendation to a Counsellor who was right for that person, or recommended by my GP, but they were not right for me, because they didn't understand my profession, or the issues that I wanted to talk through. It happens. But it doesn't have to, with a little planning. I cannot stress this enough... your GP is an expert in their profession, but they are not the expert in you. You are. Your GP is not there to tell you what to do. Your GP is there to work with you, and alongside you. Their role (and I know they don't all know this) is to use their expertise of their profession, in synergy with your expertise, on you. Yep..... that's how it's supposed to be. So do your research, find the right Counsellor for you, talk to your GP if you need to, and take charge of your Mental Health Plan. You can create one with your GP, but you don't need one for Counselling. Scroll to the bottom of any page on my website, fill in the Contact Form, and I'll call you back when I'm free.

You can't claim a rebate for my services through Medicare because I have not registered as a publicly-funded Counsellor, so I can't bulk bill you. I am a Private Counsellor. Rebates for Private Counsellors are often available through Private Health Funds. You just need to contact your Health Fund to check your rebate amount before booking an appointment. Or, if you prefer, you can self-fund.

Well, it varies from nothing (which is disappointing), to something, to an ok amount, depending on your fund. Not all health funds cover mental health services. Some cover psychology only, others cover psychology and counselling. Some health funds are progessive and up-to-date, so they cover psychology, counselling, and accredited mental health social workers. These funds are aware of the evidenced-based and unique benefits of all three of these essential professions. Each profession is different, but their skills overlap. They each have a distinct foundation from which they work, but all three have a common end goal; to improve the lives of their clients. Your Health Fund will be able to advise you on your type of cover, and what rebates you might be able to get. These partially rebated sessions can vary from none to maybe 10 sessions per year. At the end of the day, considering this crazy world that we live in, the decision ultimately comes down to how much you want to spend on your mental health per year, to create lasting change, which will continually improve your emotional and physical wellbeing, throughout your lifetime? What else do you need to prioritise? A holiday? A weekend away? A day trip here and there? Fantastic! But will they provide lasting change? Do they provide an evolution of you? Or do you just return to your life, just as it was before you left it? And why does it have to be one or the other anyway? Long term emotional wellbeing, or the holiday? Why can't we plan for and have, both? The most important priority, is you. If you focus on the evolution of you, everything else falls into place. Decide on an amount of money per year, that you would like to set aside for your emotional wellbeing, mark it as an essential expense (because it is) and find yourself a therapist who specialises in you.

Counsellors provide a safe and confidential space for you to talk through whatever you are finding difficult at the moment. It's a bit like talking to a friend, but also very different, because the Counsellor is a qualified and trained professional. We help you to make sense of your struggles, and to find solutions that you may not have found on your own (or with your friends or family). ​ I qualified in 2009, I am an experienced and registered Counsellor. I use evidenced-based theories, and practices in a relaxed, genuine and empathic way, to help you find your way through your challenges. I do this by listening to you, noticing your strengths, your resources, and possible solutions, in a casual but systematic way. My style of communication is playful (when appropriate), accepting, curious (instead of judgemental), and empathic. I take a very detailed approach, but I like it to appear simple and casual (while my brain is going at a hundred miles an hour, peicing it all together). My aim is that you will feel relaxed, and able to share anything without fear or embarrasment. I am not easily shocked, or quick to judge. I can provide a safe space for you to talk through all the things. Scroll to the bottom of any page on my website and send me a message. I will call you back.

Well, firstly, don’t worry… it will be fine. It is far less scary than you think it will be. Your first session might go as follows: We introduce ourselves to each other as per the guide in the “Welcome Pack” that I email to you when you book your first appointment. Then we briefly discuss the "Welcome Pack" itself, and some of the answers that you gave. But, you do not have to discuss anything that you do not want to. If you don't want to "go there", we don't go there, ok? After that, we explore your reasons for starting therapy. I will listen to you, clarify things with you, and I will consider how things weave together in your world. By the end of the session, we will have created a plan together. You have chosen a Counsellor who is most likely to be the right fit for you. And you know this because you've checked out my website to get to know me. So trust yourself, and let’s get started. Fill in the Contact Page at the bottom of any page on my website and I'll call you back when I'm free.

The session is one hour including a little hello and short goodbye. The session must start and finish on time because I have clients before and after, with case notes to write in between sessions. The counselling part of the process is 50 minutes, with a qualified & registered Counsellor, Social worker and Educator (that's me). But I also: 1. Prepare for your appointment before every session 2. Reflect after every session, to prepare for your next session 3. Source, participate & pay for, relevant training & supervision, to update my knowledge & the quality of my practice. Consequently, the real time spent on your session equates to between 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Great question! The amount of sessions will depend on what you wish to discuss, how deep or how wide you want to go, and to be honest, how many sessions you can afford. Ideally, a minimum 10 sessions per year. You could arrange to have them weekly, for 10 weeks, during a difficult season in your life. Or, you could have them monthly, once a month for 10 months. But, weekly or fortnightly sessions are considered more effective than monthly. Just imagine, the *stuff* you could sort out, and the growth you could experience in your personal and professional life, if you prioritised at least 10 sessions per year, every year. The number of sessions you have, and how far apart they need to be, depends on so many factors. My clients usually start with 6 sessions, then we review, to decide if they need another 4 sessions. The minimum most of my clients have, is 10 sessions per year. But we make that decision together. There’s no pressure. Something is better than nothing. But regular, targeted support is better than the odd one or two sessions, which really don't allow enough time to “really get into it”. One session gives us time to plan what might be helpful but doesn't give us time to do what will be helpful, or give us time to reflect, move on, experience change, learn, and process more. The purpose of my service is ongoing, long-term support, to help professionals enjoy a long and fulfilling career, whilst reducing the negative impacts on their personal life. Consequently, many clients integrate therapy into their work-life balance on a regular basis, once a fortnight throughout every year. But I don’t keep you forever. Along the way, we might discover challenges which require a diagnosis or a specific expertise which is not in my area. When that happens, I will guide you toward the information you need to choose your next therapist, for that specific challenge. If you are a professional working in education, health, police, or emergency services, you need to plan and engage in long term mental health supports throughout your career. This will help to ensure that you don’t get long term mental health issues from accumulative workplace stress. Don't leave it till you're a decade in, jaded and disheartened, or retired. Early interventions are key to favourable longterm outcomes and recovery from these professions. A regular counselling plan is a cost you pay now, so you don't end up paying with your mental health later in life. You deserve a long and fulfilling career, AND good health, wellbeing, and relationships. Not one at the cost of the other.

That depends on where you are in the cycle of change. Ideally, you are in the "Let's do this" stage. You: - Are committed to the process. - Remember your appointments. - Make time to reflect on what you are learning in your sessions. - Are open to change and keen to get started. But not everyone is at the "Let's do this" stage and that's ok. I can help you move through to that point, but it will take longer. Other factors make a difference too. The: - Complexity of the issues. - Support you have from friends and family. - Amount of control you have over changing your current situation. People tell me they feel better after their very first session. I love that people look relieved, relaxed, playful, hopeful, and eager for the next session. I love what I do.

Everything you share with your Counsellor is protected by the Privacy Act and other relevant legislation. But there are occasions when there are exceptions to the law. They include: - When a court issues a Subpoena for the Counsellor's case notes. - If you, or someone else is at risk and a wellbeing check is required. - A disclosure of unreported child abuse, or a crime. - When you give permission for your counsellor to talk to someone on your behalf, to help you, such as your GP, or family member. It is important to note that, the law states the following: A person who reports any kind of abuse, a risk, or a crime, cannot confirm or deny, if they have made a report. By confirming or denying, they put the reporter at risk of harm. The identity of the reporter is not available through the Freedom of Information Act. But this can be over-ruled by a court order if the information is considered crucial evidence in a legal case.

I am truly passionate about mental health services for men. But it is not my niche. There are many mental health professionals who offer expert services to men only. Many therapists provide a specialised service for their chosen demographic or issue, instead of becoming a general counsellor, they focus on a specific interest. My work focuses on women and non-binary professionals in education, health, police & emergency services, to improve health, well-being and relationships.

Therapists work very closely with people in a range of different contexts and settings. When working in this way, it is not uncommon for people to develop feelings for their therapist - this may be a feeling of trust, respect, or personally liking them. Trust, respect and liking your therapist, are essential aspects of forming a professional, therapeutic relationship. That's ok. Totally normal. However, if they develop romantic or sexual feelings for their therapist, the professional relationship will be terminated, and they will be referred to other services. Adapted from AASW, Professional Boundaries (2017)

It is not permitted to engage in any sexualised conduct or enter into an intimate or sexual relationship. This includes physical contact. For example, a request for a hug will be declined and a professional handshake offered in its place with a gentle reminder that inappropriate physical contact is not permitted by the Code of Ethics. Adapted from AASW, Professional Boundaries (2017)

You may request to join the business profile/page of your therapist. The therapist is not required to approve your request. It is the therapist’s responsibility to ensure that connecting with their client or former client via their business Facebook profile/page is deemed acceptable, appropriate and remains within the Code of Ethics of their profession. Adapted from AASW, Professional Boundaries (2017)

They are allowed to disclose personal information to you if they can argue that doing so would benefit you and not violate the Code of Ethics. Personal information shared by you with your therapist, is covered by strict privacy and confidentiality laws. Personal information shared by your therapist with you, is not. Consequently, a therapist may choose not to share any of their personal information with you. Adapted from AASW, Professional Boundaries (2017)