What should I expect from my initial session? 

A friendly orientation to the service. A chance for therapist and client to ask questions as we get to know each other. Discussion of your problem, background, and needs. Talking about expectations and goals.  Working out a suitable treatment plan, which may be structured or unstructured. Provision of resources where appropriate.

What happens in therapy sessions? 

Checking in about how the week has gone, checking treatment goals and at-home practice, further working through of issues.  Always includes active listening, with words of support and encouragement. May include psychoeducation, restructuring unhelpful thoughts, behavioural experiments (planning to try new things), dealing with difficult emotions, practicing new skills, processing unhealed memories, practical problem solving, or working on lifestyle (eating, sleeping, exercise, bad habits, building in rewarding activities).

Pathways to treatment, plus costs

• Seeing a registered Clinical Counsellor is simple
• No referral is necessary. No complicated Mental Health Plan is necessary
• Your decision to seek counselling is completely private.
• The fee for each session is $140. This cost is comparable to the “gap” that needs to be covered if claiming the Medicare rebate for psychology services, which usually ranges from $100 to $180.
• A special discounted rate is available for students, pensioners, and other clients aged 21 and under.  (The youngest age I work with is 17).
• Medicare rebates for psychology sessions only cover CBT.  Counsellors and psychotherapists are free to offer a broader range of therapies and to take amore client-centred approach.
• With counselling, there is no limit to the number or timing of appointments. Counselling and psychotherapy are time- and cost-effective, whether undertaken as brief therapy (8 to 12 sessions, preferably weekly) or as longer-term therapy (18 to 24 sessions).  Mental health plans for psychology services only cover costs (partially, or fully if bulk-billed) for 6 sessions in one calendar year.