Practical answers before beginning therapy.
Starting therapy is a personal step. Here you’ll find clear answers about getting started, sessions, fees, privacy, and what to expect.
How do I know if counselling is right for me?
Counselling may be worth considering if you are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected, anxious, low, self-critical, or caught in patterns that are difficult to understand or change on your own.
You do not need to be in crisis to begin therapy. Many people come to counselling because something in their life no longer feels sustainable, even if they cannot yet put it into clear words.
Counselling can offer a private and focused space to slow things down, speak honestly, and begin making sense of what has been happening for you. It may be especially helpful if you are looking for more than quick advice and want to better understand yourself, your relationships, and the patterns shaping your life.
What happens after I contact you?
After you get in touch, I will respond as soon as I can during business hours. If it seems like my practice may be a suitable fit, we can arrange a free initial consultation to briefly discuss what you are looking for and whether working together feels appropriate.
The consultation is not a therapy session, but it gives us a chance to speak directly, clarify practical details, and see whether you feel comfortable taking the next step.
If we decide to book an initial session, I will send through the relevant intake forms, consent information, and appointment details before we begin.
Do you offer a free initial consultation?
Yes. I offer a free 30-minute initial consultation by phone.
This gives you a chance to ask questions, briefly explain what has led you to seek counselling, and get a sense of whether I may be the right therapist for you. It also gives me a chance to consider whether your needs are within my scope of practice.
There is no obligation to continue after the consultation. Sometimes the next step is booking an initial session, and sometimes it may be more appropriate for me to suggest another service or type of support.
What happens in the first session?
The first session is a chance for us to begin getting to know your situation in more depth. We may talk about what has brought you to counselling, what has been feeling difficult, what you hope might change, and anything important for me to understand about your background or current circumstances.
You do not need to tell your whole life story straight away. The pace can be gradual. My aim is to help create a space where you feel able to speak openly, while also making sure we have enough direction to begin meaningful work together.
The first session is also a time to discuss expectations, confidentiality, how I work, and any questions you may have about therapy.
Do I need to know exactly what I want to work on before starting?
No. Many people begin counselling with only a general sense that something is not right.
You might know that you feel anxious, flat, stuck, lonely, frustrated, or unsure of yourself, but not yet know why. That is a valid starting point. Part of the work of therapy can be finding language for experiences that have been hard to name.
It is also okay if your focus changes over time. Therapy often begins with one concern and gradually reveals deeper patterns, questions, or emotional themes underneath.
Can I ask questions before booking?
Yes. You are welcome to ask questions before deciding whether to book.
Choosing a therapist can feel personal, and it is reasonable to want some clarity before beginning. You might want to ask about fees, availability, online or in-person options, confidentiality, my therapeutic approach, or whether your concern sounds like something I can work with.
The initial consultation is usually the best place for these questions, but you are also welcome to include any key questions when you first make contact.
How much do sessions cost?
My current session fees are:
In-person counselling: $130 per session
Online counselling: $110 per session
Initial phone consultation: Free, 30 minutes
Fees are payable privately, meaning the full session fee is paid by the client rather than being subsidised through Medicare, NDIS, or private health insurance at this stage.
I aim to keep fees clear and visible so that you can make an informed decision before booking. Therapy is a meaningful commitment, and it is important that the practical side feels as clear as possible from the beginning.
Can I claim a Medicare rebate?
No. Medicare rebates are not currently available for sessions with me.
In Australia, Medicare rebates for mental health treatment are generally connected to services provided by eligible professionals under specific Medicare pathways. These include clinical psychologists, registered psychologists, eligible social workers, eligible occupational therapists, GPs, psychiatrists, and some other medical practitioners. Counsellors are not currently included in the same Medicare rebate pathway, even when they are professionally trained and registered with a counselling body.
This means that even if you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, you cannot use that plan to claim a Medicare rebate for sessions with me.
Can I use a Mental Health Care Plan?
You are welcome to speak with your GP about a Mental Health Treatment Plan if you think that may be helpful, but it cannot be used to claim a rebate for sessions with me.
A Mental Health Treatment Plan is usually used to access Medicare-subsidised sessions with eligible providers under the Better Access initiative. At present, this does not include counsellors in private practice like me.
Some clients still choose to work with a counsellor privately because they are looking for a particular therapeutic fit, a different style of therapy, or a space that is not tied to the Medicare system. Others may decide that a Medicare-rebated provider is more suitable for their circumstances. Both decisions are valid.
Do you accept NDIS funding?
No. I do not currently provide services under the NDIS.
The NDIS has its own rules around what supports can be funded, how those supports relate to disability needs, and which providers are appropriate for a participant’s plan. NDIS therapy supports are generally framed around building or maintaining skills and independence in daily life.
My practice is currently offered as private counselling, paid directly by the client. If you are an NDIS participant, you may wish to speak with your support coordinator, plan manager, or the NDIS directly about what services may be available under your plan.
Can I claim sessions through private health insurance?
No, not at this stage.
Some Australian counsellors and psychotherapists may be eligible for private health fund provider numbers, particularly where they meet specific registration and fund requirements. PACFA notes that Clinical Registrants with active provider numbers may be able to offer rebates through participating private health funds.
I am not currently offering private health insurance rebates. This means sessions are paid privately and cannot presently be claimed through your extras cover.
Do you offer reduced-fee sessions?
At this stage, my standard fees apply to most appointments.
I understand that private therapy can be financially difficult, and I do not want to minimise that. At the same time, reduced-fee work needs to be offered carefully and sustainably so that the practice remains stable and clients receive consistent care.
Where reduced-fee availability exists, it will usually be limited and considered on a case-by-case basis. You are welcome to ask about this during the initial consultation, though I cannot guarantee that a reduced-fee place will be available.
Why don’t counsellors always offer rebates?
In Australia, counselling and psychotherapy sit in a complicated place within the broader mental health system.
Many counsellors are professionally trained, registered with professional bodies, receive supervision, complete continuing professional development, and work under ethical standards. However, Medicare rebates are not currently available for counsellors through the main mental health treatment plan pathway. Private health rebates may be available for some counsellors, but this depends on registration level, provider numbers, and each health fund’s requirements.
So the absence of a rebate does not automatically mean the work is informal or unprofessional. It usually reflects how Australian funding systems are currently structured.
For clients, the practical reality is still important: sessions with me are privately funded. I try to be clear about this from the beginning so that you can make a decision that fits your needs, preferences, and financial situation.
What is a counsellor?
A counsellor is a trained professional who provides a private, supportive, and purposeful space to talk through emotional, relational, and personal difficulties.
Counselling can help you make sense of what you are experiencing, understand patterns in your thoughts, feelings, relationships, and behaviour, and consider what kind of change may be possible. It is not simply casual advice or a friendly chat, though warmth and trust are important parts of the work.
My role is to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, offer reflections, and help you explore what may be happening beneath the surface of your current concerns. The focus is not only on “fixing” a problem quickly, but on understanding you as a whole person.
Are counsellors regulated in Australia?
Counselling and psychotherapy in Australia are currently self-regulated professions. This means counsellors are not regulated through the same national registration scheme as psychologists, doctors, nurses, or some other health practitioners. The Australian Government’s National Standards summary notes that counselling and psychotherapy are self-regulated, rather than governed by nationally established statutory registration laws.
Because of this, professional membership and registration matter. I am registered with PACFA, the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, and work within its professional and ethical expectations.
PACFA’s Scope of Practice for Registered Counsellors considers competent practice, safe practice, and regulated practice. PACFA also requires registered counsellors to follow its Code of Ethics, which is designed to support ethical practice and protect the public from harm.
In practical terms, this means I work within my training, scope of practice, professional standards, ethical obligations, supervision, and continuing professional development.
What professional standards do you follow?
I work within the professional and ethical standards expected of a registered counsellor.
This includes practising within my scope of competence, maintaining appropriate confidentiality, keeping professional boundaries, participating in supervision, continuing professional development, and referring clients elsewhere when their needs fall outside my scope of practice.
PACFA’s Code of Ethics sets out expectations for ethical conduct across counselling, psychotherapy, supervision, education, training, professional development, and research.
These standards are not just administrative requirements. They help provide a structure of care, accountability, and safety around the therapeutic work.
What is the difference between a counsellor, psychologist, psychiatrist, and coach?
These roles can overlap in some ways, but they are not the same.
A counsellor provides therapeutic support for emotional, relational, and personal difficulties. Counselling often focuses on understanding your experience, exploring patterns, strengthening self-awareness, and supporting meaningful change.
A psychologist is registered through AHPRA and may provide assessment, diagnosis, and psychological therapy. Some psychologists work in a structured, treatment-focused way, while others also work more relationally or in depth-oriented ways.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in mental health. Psychiatrists can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and provide medical management of complex mental health concerns.
A coach usually focuses more on goals, performance, habits, planning, and future-oriented change. Coaching is not usually designed to treat mental health concerns or provide therapy.
My role is as a counsellor. I offer therapeutic support, not medical treatment, psychological assessment, psychiatric care, or coaching as a standalone service.
Can you diagnose mental health conditions?
No. I do not provide formal mental health diagnoses.
A diagnosis is usually provided by a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other appropriately qualified health professional. My role is different. I can help you explore your experiences, understand emotional and relational patterns, and support you in making sense of what is happening in your life.
Sometimes clients come to counselling with an existing diagnosis. Sometimes they are wondering whether a diagnosis might explain part of their experience. We can talk about this carefully, but if formal assessment or diagnosis is needed, I may suggest speaking with a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist, or another relevant professional.
Can you write reports, letters, or assessments?
I may be able to provide simple letters in limited circumstances, such as confirming attendance or outlining general counselling involvement, but I do not provide formal psychological assessments, diagnostic reports, medico-legal reports, or expert opinions.
Requests for letters or reports need to be considered carefully. This includes thinking about purpose, accuracy, consent, confidentiality, my scope of practice, and whether I am the appropriate professional to provide the document. PACFA’s guidance on report writing and letters highlights the importance of competence, ethical decision-making, and supervision when responding to these requests.
If you need a document for legal, workplace, Centrelink, NDIS, academic, medical, or formal assessment purposes, we can discuss what is being requested and whether another professional would be more appropriate.
What happens if I need support outside your scope?
If your needs fall outside my scope of practice, I will discuss this with you as clearly and respectfully as possible.
This may happen if you need crisis support, specialist assessment, medical or psychiatric care, intensive case management, legal documentation, or a service better suited to a specific diagnosis, disability, risk issue, or support need.
Where appropriate, I may suggest that you contact your GP, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a crisis service, or another specialist provider. This does not mean you have done anything wrong, or that your concerns are “too much”. It simply means that ethical counselling includes recognising when another form of support may be safer or more suitable.
My aim is to work within the limits of what I can provide well, rather than trying to be all things to all people.
What does depth-oriented therapy mean?
Depth-oriented therapy is an approach that looks beyond the immediate problem and becomes curious about the deeper patterns beneath it.
This does not mean ignoring practical concerns. We can absolutely talk about what is happening in your life right now. But rather than only asking, “How do we make this symptom go away?”, depth-oriented therapy also asks questions like: “How did this pattern develop?”, “What does this feeling connect to?”, “Why does this keep happening in relationships?”, and “What might this part of you be trying to protect?”
In this kind of therapy, we may pay attention to your emotions, relationships, history, self-image, repeated patterns, inner conflicts, and the meanings you have made from your experiences.
The aim is not simply to manage distress week to week, but to understand yourself more deeply so that change can become more lasting and personally meaningful.
How is your approach different from CBT or skills-based therapy?
CBT and skills-based therapies can be very useful for many people. They often focus on identifying unhelpful thoughts, changing behaviours, developing coping strategies, and practising specific tools between sessions.
My approach is usually less manualised and more exploratory. Rather than beginning with a fixed set of techniques, I pay close attention to what is happening for you as a whole person: your emotions, relationships, patterns, past experiences, values, defences, longings, and the way you relate to yourself and others.
This means therapy may feel less like being given a worksheet or step-by-step program, and more like a thoughtful conversation that gradually helps us understand what is really going on underneath the surface.
That said, I am not opposed to practical strategies. There may be times where grounding tools, reflection exercises, behavioural changes, or structured goals are helpful. The difference is that I usually see these tools as part of a wider therapeutic process, rather than the whole of therapy.
Will you give me advice or strategies?
Sometimes, but therapy with me is not mainly advice-giving.
There may be moments where it is useful for me to offer a perspective, suggest a practical strategy, help you prepare for a conversation, or explore possible next steps. But I will usually be careful about simply telling you what to do.
This is because therapy is not just about getting instructions from someone else. It is about developing a clearer relationship with yourself, your feelings, your patterns, and your choices.
Rather than quickly giving advice, I may help you slow down and understand what makes the situation difficult, what different parts of you want, what you might be avoiding, and what a more honest or grounded response could look like.
The goal is not for you to become dependent on my answers. The goal is to help you build more self-understanding, confidence, and agency in your own life.
Do we focus on the past, the present, or both?
Usually both.
The present is often where therapy begins. We might start with what is currently painful, confusing, stressful, or repetitive in your life. This could include anxiety, relationship difficulties, low mood, self-criticism, family dynamics, work stress, loneliness, or feeling stuck.
Over time, we may also become curious about how these patterns developed. This might involve talking about earlier relationships, family experiences, formative events, old roles you had to take on, or ways of coping that made sense at one stage of life but now feel limiting.
The past is not explored for its own sake. We look at it when it helps us better understand what is happening now.
In depth-oriented therapy, the question is often not just “What happened?”, but “How is this still shaping the way you experience yourself, others, and the world?”
How structured are sessions?
Sessions are structured enough to have purpose, but flexible enough to follow what is most important.
Some clients come in knowing exactly what they want to talk about. Others arrive with a vague feeling, a recent event, or a sense that something has been building up. Both are okay.
At times, I may ask focused questions, reflect patterns I am noticing, or help us return to the themes that seem most important. At other times, the work may be more open and exploratory, giving space for thoughts and feelings to unfold gradually.
I do not usually work from a rigid session-by-session program. Instead, the structure comes from the therapeutic relationship, the concerns you bring, and the patterns we begin to identify together.
If you prefer more structure, we can discuss that. If you need more space to speak freely, we can work with that too.
What if I just want practical support?
That is okay.
While my approach is depth-oriented, practical support can still be part of the work. Sometimes people need help making sense of a decision, preparing for a difficult conversation, managing stress, setting boundaries, building routines, or thinking through a specific problem.
The difference is that I will usually try to connect the practical issue with the deeper emotional or relational pattern underneath it.
For example, if you are struggling to set boundaries, we might talk about what boundary you need, but we may also explore why setting it feels so difficult, what you fear might happen, and whether this difficulty has shown up in other relationships.
So practical support is welcome. I simply try not to reduce therapy to quick tips when something deeper may be asking for attention.
How long does therapy usually take?
How long are sessions?
Standard counselling sessions are 50 minutes.
This allows enough time for meaningful therapeutic work, while also giving a small buffer between appointments. The buffer helps me keep sessions running on time, complete brief notes, prepare for the next client, and maintain the quality of care across the day.
Your first session is also 50 minutes. If we need to clarify practical details, consent, confidentiality, or expectations, we will include that within the session.
Do you offer online counselling?
Yes. I offer online counselling for clients who prefer Telehealth or cannot attend in person.
Online counselling can be a good option if you live further away, have transport difficulties, need more flexibility, or feel more comfortable speaking from your own space. Sessions are held through a secure Telehealth link, which will be provided before your appointment.
For online therapy, it is important to have a private space where you can speak freely, a stable internet connection, and enough time before and after the session to arrive and leave the conversation gently. Therapy can sometimes bring up important feelings, so it helps not to rush straight into something demanding immediately afterwards where possible.
Do you offer in-person counselling?
Yes. I offer in-person counselling from my counselling room in Richmond, Melbourne.
In-person therapy can be helpful if you prefer being physically present in the room, find online sessions less engaging, or want a clear separation between therapy and home. Some people also find that travelling to and from the session gives them time to mentally prepare and reflect afterwards.
If you book an in-person appointment, I will provide the relevant address and arrival instructions before your first session.
Where are sessions held?
In-person sessions are held in Richmond, Victoria.
The counselling room is located upstairs in a quiet room connected with the local Salvation Army site. While the room is based within a community setting, counselling sessions are private and by appointment only.
Before your first in-person session, I will send you clear arrival instructions so you know where to go, how to enter, and what to expect when you arrive. If you have mobility needs or concerns about stairs, please let me know before booking, as the room may not be suitable for everyone.
What do I need to complete before my first session?
Before your first paid counselling session, you will usually be asked to complete intake and consent forms.
These forms help me understand some basic information about you, your contact details, relevant history, emergency contact details, and what has brought you to counselling. They also explain important information about confidentiality, privacy, fees, cancellations, and consent.
You do not need to write everything perfectly or explain your whole story in the forms. They are simply a starting point. We can talk through anything important together in session.
Your appointment is only fully confirmed once the required forms and payment arrangements have been completed.
How do payments work?
Payment is made privately by the client.
For most appointments, payment is required before the session begins. This helps keep the process clear and avoids needing to manage payment during or after the therapeutic conversation.
If you are booking online, payment details may be handled through the booking or invoicing process. If your appointment is arranged manually, I will send the relevant invoice or payment details before the session.
At this stage, sessions cannot be claimed through Medicare, NDIS, or private health insurance.
What is your cancellation policy?
I understand that life can be unpredictable, and sometimes appointments need to be changed.
Because your appointment time is reserved specifically for you, I ask that you provide as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations and missed appointments may attract a cancellation fee, especially where the appointment time cannot reasonably be offered to another client.
The specific cancellation policy will be outlined in the intake and consent information before you begin therapy. If something unexpected happens, you are welcome to contact me as soon as possible so we can discuss the situation.
What if I need to reschedule?
If you need to reschedule, please contact me as early as you can.
Where possible, I will try to find another suitable appointment time. Availability may vary depending on the week, and I cannot always guarantee an alternative time immediately.
Rescheduling with notice is usually straightforward. Last-minute changes may be treated under the cancellation policy, particularly if the appointment time has been held for you and cannot be filled.
Can I book recurring appointments?
Is counselling confidential?
Yes. Counselling is private and confidential.
This means that what you share in counselling is not discussed with other people without your consent, except in specific circumstances where there may be a legal, ethical, or safety-related reason to do so.
Confidentiality is an important part of therapy. It helps create a space where you can speak more openly, knowing that your personal information is treated with care and respect.
I will explain confidentiality, including its limits, before we begin therapy so that you understand how your information is handled.
Are there limits to confidentiality?
Yes. There are some important limits to confidentiality.
In certain circumstances, I may need to take action to protect your safety or the safety of someone else. This may include situations where there is a serious risk of harm to you, a serious risk of harm to another person, concerns about child safety, or where information is required by law.
Where possible and appropriate, I would aim to discuss this with you before taking any action. My first preference is always to work collaboratively and respectfully, rather than act without your knowledge.
These limits exist because counselling needs to be both private and safe.
How do you store client information?
Client information is stored securely and handled in line with privacy and professional obligations.
This may include intake forms, contact details, appointment records, brief session notes, consent information, invoices, and relevant communication. I aim to collect only the information needed to provide counselling safely and professionally.
Records are kept in secure systems and are not shared with other people unless you have provided consent, or unless there is a legal, ethical, or safety-related reason to do so.
You are welcome to ask questions about how your information is stored before beginning therapy.
What are my rights as a client?
As a client, you have the right to be treated with respect, dignity, care, and professionalism.
You have the right to ask questions about therapy, fees, confidentiality, consent, record keeping, and how I work. You also have the right to raise concerns, give feedback, request clarification, or decide that therapy with me is not the right fit.
You are not expected to simply go along with therapy if something feels unclear or uncomfortable. Good therapy should allow space for honest conversation about the process itself.
You also have the right to make informed choices about your care, including whether to begin, continue, pause, or end therapy.
Can I stop therapy at any time?
Yes. You can choose to stop therapy at any time.
Sometimes therapy ends because the work feels complete. Sometimes people pause because of finances, timing, emotional readiness, or practical circumstances. Sometimes a client realises that a different therapist or service would be a better fit.
Where possible, it can be helpful to discuss ending therapy together rather than disappearing without explanation. This gives us a chance to reflect on the work, talk about what has been helpful or difficult, and think about next steps.
That said, you are not locked into therapy. Your participation is voluntary.
What if I am unhappy with therapy?
If something is not working for you, I encourage you to raise it with me if you feel able to.
This might include feeling misunderstood, wanting more or less structure, being unsure about the direction of therapy, feeling uncomfortable with something I have said, or questioning whether the work is helping.
These conversations can feel awkward, but they can also be very useful. Therapy is relational work, and misunderstandings or ruptures sometimes become important opportunities for repair, clarity, and deeper understanding.
If you do not feel comfortable raising the concern directly with me, or if the issue is serious, you also have the right to make a complaint through the relevant professional or regulatory pathways. I can provide information about these options if needed.
What should I do in a crisis?
My private practice is not a crisis or emergency service.
If you are in immediate danger, or if someone else is in immediate danger, call 000 or attend your nearest hospital emergency department.
If you need urgent mental health support, you can contact a crisis service such as:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800, for people aged 5 to 25
- 13YARN: 13 92 76, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
If you are already connected with a GP, psychiatrist, psychologist, case manager, or mental health team, it may also be important to contact them as part of your support plan.
Do you provide emergency mental health support?
No. I do not provide emergency mental health support.
Counselling sessions are by appointment only, and I may not be available to respond immediately between sessions. This means my practice is not suitable as your only support if you are at immediate risk or require urgent care.
If you are experiencing a crisis, immediate risk, or a significant deterioration in your mental health, please contact emergency services, a crisis line, your GP, or your local mental health triage service.
Counselling can be part of a broader support system, but it is not a replacement for emergency or acute mental health care.
01What is counselling?
Counselling is a safe, confidential space where you can talk openly about what’s on your mind. It is not about giving advice or quick fixes. It is about working together to explore your challenges, build insight, and find new ways forward.
02What can I talk about in counselling?
Anything that matters to you. Common themes include stress, anxiety, self-esteem, relationships, study or work pressures, and navigating life changes. Some people come with a clear goal, others just know they need someone to listen. Both are welcome.
03How is counselling different from coaching?
Counselling often looks at past experiences and how they shape your present. Coaching is more future focused, helping you set goals and stay accountable. I offer both. Some clients use one approach, others blend the two.
04Do you offer online or in-person sessions?
For individual counselling, coaching, and group work, I meet online only. I do not offer in-person sessions for these services. Sessions are held over secure video. You will need a device with a camera and microphone and a stable internet connection.
05What is the cost of therapy sessions?
I offer individual counselling and group sessions, all delivered online. Sessions are 50 minutes long and take place over secure video. Individual counselling is $80 per session, and $60 per session for students. Group work may be available at times throughout the year and is priced at $45 per person, per session.
06How do I schedule an appointment?
You can reach out in the way that feels easiest for you. Click the Make an Appointment button, send a message through the Contact page, or get in touch by email.
07Do you offer therapy for children and adolescents?
I do not offer therapy for children. I may work with adolescents aged 16 or older, depending on their needs and suitability. This is considered on a case-by-case basis.
08Do you provide Medicare rebates?
No. Counsellors in Australia are not covered by Medicare at this stage. My fees are set to be more affordable without needing a referral or a mental health plan.
09Do you accept insurance?
At this time, I do not accept private health insurance. While many insurers require higher-tier memberships, I’ve chosen to prioritise accessible pricing without the need for a referral or mental health care plan. This keeps the process simple, private, and fully in your control.
10What if I need urgent mental health support?
If you are feeling overwhelmed or unsafe, please know that you are not alone and there is help available right now. My practice is not equipped to provide crisis support, but you can contact services like Lifeline (13 11 14), Beyond Blue, or your local mental health team for immediate assistance. If you are in danger or need urgent medical care, please call 000 or go to your nearest hospital.