What is the cost of a therapy session?
Individual 60 minute sessions – $195
Couples 90 minute sessions – $295
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed unless you wish to claim from Medicare.
Can I claim a rebate?
Rebates are available from most private health funds depending on your level of cover.
If you receive a referral and fill out a Mental Health Plan with your GP or Psychiatrist, you will be entitled to a rebate of $92.90 per session for a maximum of 10 sessions per calendar year.
Please click here for more information about the Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative.
Rebates can be claimed through either Medicare or your private health fund but not both.
Are my counselling sessions confidential?
Yes. Your confidentiality is of paramount importance to me.
I adhere to the code of ethics of AAPi.
How is my personal information kept private?
Any records are kept in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Amended 2000). Any notes of our counselling sessions are kept either in a locked cabinet or encrypted on a password-protected computer and destroyed after a period of seven years.
How long is a relationship therapy session?
Individual sessions are for 60 minutes.
Couple sessions are usually 90 minutes. We then decide together on the duration of future sessions depending on your circumstances.
What if I can’t make my counselling appointment or if I need to cancel?
Counselling appointments are booked and held specifically for the time you request. When you book a counselling appointment, I am unable to offer that time to anyone else. For this reason, I have a 48 hour full-fee cancellation policy. This includes requests to change appointments where less than 48 hours notice is given unless I can offer you another time in the same week.
How often should I attend relationship therapy sessions?
The best outcomes for therapy are possible when relationship counselling appointments are scheduled and attended regularly. Every person is different, however, current research suggests that it can take at least 3-4 months of psychotherapy to establish long lasting changes. Research also says that you will experience changes sooner rather than later if I am to be effective for you.
Together we determine how often you will attend, based on your needs and schedule, which may be weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. In my experience, the clients that have the most positive outcomes from therapy attend weekly, or schedule and attend sessions on a regular basis.
My partner won’t come in with me to couples counselling. What should I do?
By attending relationship counselling on your own it is possible to make significant changes within yourself.
Even if your partner won’t come in for couples counselling, you can work on the part you play in the patterns and dynamics of your relationship and this will generally have a positive impact on how you function as a couple. You may even find that your partner’s behaviour changes as a result of the changes you have made.
My relationship is ending. Can I save it?
Unfortunately, I can’t guarantee that you can save your relationship.
Though I can assist you and your partner identify negative patterns that have become entrenched between you and facilitate honest and open communication about your hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the relationship. We can then see what is possible.
Some couples come into relationship counselling at a point where there has been significant hurt and pain carried over a long period of time and sometimes it is not possible for the relationship to recover.
Other couples can work through the pain and hurt and create a stronger and more resilient relationship.
If you really want to save your relationship, couples or marriage therapy may be your only hope of saving it. And if saving your relationship is not possible, we can work together to ease the pain and challenges involved in separating.
What are your counsellor qualifications and training?
Psychologist registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Extensive post graduate qualifications in both relationship counselling and individual psychotherapy including an Advanced Diploma in Gestalt therapy.
Two year professional training with AABCAP, Australian Association of Buddhist Counsellors and Psychotherapists, integrating Buddhism and psychotherapy.
When working with couples I work within a PACT framework. PACT Level 11. (see My Approach page). I have experience working in the relationship field since 2003.
How will I know if you’re the right therapist/relationship counsellor for me?
Firstly, I suggest you read my About page so that you can get a good sense of how I work.
Secondly, I offer a free, 10 minute telephone inquiry call as a starting point so we can speak together about your needs and how I may be able to help. Please give me a brief description of the issues you would like to address, and I’ll let you know how I can help you. You can get a good sense of me and can then decide if we might work together.
Finally, if it feels like a good fit for both of us, we’ll book in your first counselling session.
If I don’t think I’m the best counsellor for you, I’ll refer you to someone who may be better suited to helping you.
I’m ready to find out how to create a great relationship what’s the next step?
Click on the Book Now button below to schedule a session with my online appointment book and I will call you to confirm your appointment and discuss your needs within 24 hours.
If you are not ready to make an appointment, call me for a free 10 minute phone consultation, where I will ask you questions about your situation and see how I can help you. Call 0438 184 727 now.