Question 1

What happens at Counselling?

Accepted Answer

Counselling offers the opportunity for you to talk about the issues that led to you to reach out for support. Our relationship begins with an enquiry for support and from there if you wish to book an appointment time, I will ask you to complete a simple form to enable me to understand a bit more about you.

Many people are nervous at the first session, it's normal to feel this way.  You are trying to figure out if you can trust me to support you with the challenges you are experiencing. At the beginning of the first session, I will explain to you about my counselling style and we will complete a client consent form together that indicates you understand the work we are doing together.
 
I aim to provide a safe and non-judgemental space for you to “tell your story” in whatever
way makes sense to you. My hope is to get to know you as a person and to discover not
only your challenges but also your strengths. Along the way I may ask questions to clarify
what you hope to achieve from counselling and if you are unsure what you are aiming for,
no problem, we will figure it out together.

During the session I encourage you to let me know if there is anything I say or do that makes you feel unsupported. Questions are encouraged at any time during counselling. At the end of our first session, I will ask how the session was for you and if there was anything that you felt needed to be different. From there we will plan for future support depending on your needs.

Question 2

Do I need a referral?

Accepted Answer

No, you don’t need a referral.  You can contact me to book an appointment – you can ring, text or email – it’s that easy.  A free 15 minute discussion is offered to determine if you feel us working together is a good fit for you.

Question 3

Do you offer Medicare or Private Health Insurance rebates?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately my fees are not eligible for a Medicare rebate. In the Medicare rebate scheme, after gaining a GP referral to a psychologist for your diagnosed mental illness, you can gain 6 sessions for specific psychological therapies (such as CBT) with a psychologist and those sessions may entitle you to a rebate. Additional sessions may be accessed after revisiting your doctor but after those are completed, you may be charged higher psychologist fees to continue counselling with that provider.  Ensure you are aware of any gap fee (the fee between what the psychologist charges and what the Medicare rebate is) that you may be charged by a psychologist as occasionally the gap fee equates to a similar cost to what you might pay for counselling without a Medicare rebate.

I hold Provider Numbers with the following private health insurers: 
Medibank
Bupa
ahm
HCF
ARHG - which includes the following providers:  Australian Defence Force Family Program, Doctor’s Health, HBF, ST Luke's Health, Police Health, GMHBA, Westfund, Emergency Services Health, Phoenix Health, see-u by HBF, AIA Health, Mildura Health, Teachers Union Health, Teachers Health, Nurses and Midwives Health and UniHealth.                                  
                                                
Please check with your provider to ensure that your policy covers “counselling sessions”, not just sessions with a psychologist, and the format of the service in person and/or telehealth that is approved.   If your private health provider is not on this list,  it is still worth contacting them to see if your level of cover provides a rebate on counselling as many do without requiring a specific provider number.

Question 4

Do you see NDIS participants?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you have NDIS funding approved and are self-managed, you may be able to access
counselling via your plan’s funding. In order to access funded counselling, support your
NDIS plan would need to have the following line item approved:
Therapeutic Supports 15 Improved daily living skills 15_043_0128_1_3 Individual Counselling
Facilitating self-knowledge, emotional acceptance and growth and the optimal development
of personal resources on a one-to-one basis. Assist participants to work towards their
personal goals and gain greater insight into their lives.

We would set up a service agreement that would detail the amount of money/number of
sessions you want to spend on counselling. Progress reports can also be written for an
hourly fee. If sessions are required in person and home visits are required, then a fee for
travel can be negotiated. Please call and we can sort through the paperwork!

Question 5

How many sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

Everyone is different and so are their issues. Most often people require at least 3 – 6 sessions however sometimes individuals or families find one session is enough to help them with the challenges that they are experiencing. Counselling may occur over several months if problems are related to longstanding trauma. We will work together to determine the best level of support for you. I will be clear and honest about what support I think is needed to enable you to reach your goals. Ultimately it is your choice how we structure counselling to help you reach a level of comfort you are happy with.

Question 6

How long will my session be?

Accepted Answer

Allow 50 minutes for your individual counselling session.  However, if you prefer a longer session please feel free to let me know - you know best what will meet your needs. We can discuss a price for extended sessions.

Question 7

Do I need to bring anything?

Accepted Answer

No … just bring yourself. I will ask you to fill out a client profile form and read through the client consent form and will ensure you have these prior to your first session.

Question 8

Do you offer “after hours” appointments?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I aim to offer a variety of session times to accomodate the different needs of clients and this includes some evening appointments.

Question 9

Coming to see you in person is not possible for me – can you still help me?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You may not be able to see me in person due to where you live or you may be time poor. You may be in a caring role, be medically unwell or have a disability and find it difficult to leave the house.  Maybe you are fearful due to your mental or physical health condition and receiving support in your own environment is safest as most convenient for you.

In these circumstances online video or phone sessions are wonderful alternatives. So many
first-time online clients are surprised and comment on how convenient and supportive
counselling felt via video. So face to face, online video and phone counselling are all possible
and a mix is offered depending on your ever changing life situation.

Question 10

What happens if I need urgent support before my next session?

Accepted Answer

Please be aware that I do not offer a crisis service and that if you need urgent support
please refer to my resources page where I have listed Crisis/Emergency supports that are
available.

These include the following:
Lifeline                                                           13 11 14 24 hour support
Suicide Line – Counselling                              1300 651 251 24 hour support
Crisis Assessment Team (CATT)                     1300 369 012
Grief Line (12 midday – 3.00am)                     1300 845 745
Kids Help Line                                                1800 551 800
Men’s Help Line                                              1300 789 978
1800 Respect (Domestic Violence Helpline)    1800 737 732

I am available to support you as my work schedule permits on my next work day – so for any non-urgent issues please feel free to call, e-mail or text me a message and we will plan to talk as soon as practical.

Question 11

What happens if something happens in session that I want to make a complaint about?

Accepted Answer

This is a really important question. Counselling needs to professionally and ethically meet
your needs. I regularly check on your wellbeing and will directly ask you what you liked, and
also, what you didn’t like about your session. I welcome any negative feedback, because it
allows me to provide the best counselling I can, to suit your needs. Giving negative
feedback face to face can be challenging so please feel free to e-mail or text me if that is
easier for you.
 
Your rights are protected and you can contact the Health Complaints Commissioner via
email http://www.vic.gov.au or via phone 1300582113, if you want to lodge a complaint.

You can also contact Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia at https://pacfa.org.au/ or 03 9046 2270 to discuss your issue/s.

Of course I’m really hoping you will feel comfortable and safe enough to talk to me to
ensure you get your needs met. I encourage questions and feedback at all points during our work together.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions