FAQs

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 currently do not offer private insurance rebates.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Telehealth counselling is also known as Telehealth, online counselling, video counselling or phone counselling. It just means therapy is conducted via video or telephone.

    I use Zoom for its encryption and usability. Your appointment will be in my Personal Zoom Meeting Room with the same link and Meeting ID for each session. The Zoom link will be in your appointment invitation. Note - booking time is confirmed by payment of the session via direct deposit or online payment.

    • You can attend in the comfort of your own home

    • You can attend while at work, if you’re able to book out a meeting room

    • There is no travel time to take into account

    • It’s flexible as you can attend a session at home, at work, or even in your parked car.

    • There’s no commute to navigate public transport or car parking

    • You have access to more therapists. I see clients online who are in locations across Australia and the world.

    • You can continue therapy while away from home if needed

  • 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