Question 1

How long are the sessions?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are generally 50 minutes long.  Usually I will offer people a regular time so that it is easy to remember and plan for attending.

Question 2

Do I need a doctor’s referral in order to make an appointment?

Accepted Answer

No. You do not need to see a Doctor first in order to make an appointment with a Counsellor or Psychotherapist.

If you would like to contact me and me and discuss your needs or even work out what you may need, call me on  0477 419 428 I am happy to talk with you about your enquiry and see if an appointment is right for you or I may refer and connect you to someone that can assist your needs.

Question 3

How many sessions are needed?

Accepted Answer

This varies from person to person and depends upon the situation and context for each client.  The sessions are based upon conversations between us. I aim for us to talk about what is most important to you and this can mean reviewing past situations, what you hope for in the future, or what might be happening now or between sessions.  This helps to develop a story or picture about what causes problems, how they can be understood, and what could be done to address them. 
 
Along the way life can change too, new things happen, and situations develop. I do aim for us to review what has been useful in our conversations and how it has been helpful so you can see yourself changing, growing in awareness, understanding and managing better.

Question 4

What methods of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

I accept cash, cheque or direct deposit. Unfortunately I am not able to offer credit or EFTPOS facility.

Question 5

Can I claim on Medicare?

Accepted Answer

The services of counsellors and psychotherapists are not claimable on Medicare, though some private health funds do offer limited rebates.  Please contact your insurer to see if you are eligible to make a claim.

If claiming on Medicare is important to you I am happy to discuss and seek options.

Question 6

Is relationship counselling claimable on Medicare?

Accepted Answer

Relationship counselling is not currently an item that is claimable under Medicare and is not covered for a rebate.

Question 7

Where does the counselling happen?

Accepted Answer

Counselling sessions can be face to face, telephone, ZOOM or walk and talk.
 
Face to Face
Byron Bay and Northern Rivers

If we are seeing each other face to face I have rooms at Byron Bay Community Centre available. 69 Johnson St Byron Bay

We can also meet and walk or determine a quite uninterrupted spot where we can chat confidentially.

Click here to view on Google Maps.

Question 8

Do you offer Zoom or telephone appointments?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I am happy to discuss your needs and circumstances and work through Skype with counselling and therapy clients.

Question 9

What is counselling?

Accepted Answer

Focus on present problems and situations
Specific situations or behaviours
Short term therapy (for a period of weeks and up to 6 months)
Action and behaviour focused
Talk therapy
Guidance, support, and education to help you identify and find your own solutions to current problems

Question 10

When you may wish to see a counseller

Accepted Answer

Counselling may be an option when: 
 
You have specific issues or short term problems you wish to address
You wish to learn coping skills to help better manage stress and improve relationships
You are coping with life transitions and adjustments, such as divorce or grief
You are coping with addiction issues, grief, anxiety 
You are looking for someone who is essentially a "coach" who can guide and support you as you learn to recognize problems and formulate healthy solutions yourself

Question 11

What types of services do you offer?

Accepted Answer

Counselling and Communication Mentoring

I am trained in individual, relationship counselling, and effective communication with Cert 1V training and assessment.  Drawing from a diverse skill set, I have been equipped with methods from telephone counselling services in general and specifically LGBTIQ.  Both Zoom, telephone and face to face is available.

Question 12

Crisis Counselling

Accepted Answer

Crisis counselling: Much of my agency experience had the focus of assisting clients in crisis, either to manage it, or prevent it, including suicide intervention. 
If you need immediate assistance please call Lifeline 131114

Question 13

LGBTIQ+

Accepted Answer

Life is diverse and how to navigate with our own uniqueness has been a driver for my experience in setting up specific LGBTIQ phone counselling services. We are all individuals and a non-judgemental approach is my practices mantra. Safe space be yourself.

Question 14

Effective Communication and Brief therapy (SFBT)

Accepted Answer

Do you need to have a difficult conversation?
Want to change a reoccurrence in your life?
Want to be heard and understood in home and work?
Dealing with irrational people?
I am passionate about communicating with intent whilst valuing all interactions. When we can understand our needs, we can then communicate those needs to the ones that are close. Having effective relationships is a foundation of ourselves. I incorporate a methodology called (SFBT) Solution focussed Therapy with my communication training. All counselling does not need a lot of sessions, sometimes we just need to get past a difficult conversation or understand an immediate situation. Learn more about SFBT

Question 15

Relationships and couples counselling

Accepted Answer

Experiencing challenges in relationships in very common. Our life is full of differing relationships and we really are dynamic each day with all our interactions. If you are wanting to understand your relationship better or dealing with challenges which may involve:
 
Parenting issues, Dealing with affairs, need to  Improve communication, Manage arguments or conflict, Separation counselling, Resolving past issues or to seek to  gain a better understanding of each other. 
 
We can aim to discuss future goals and renew common interests, spend more time together, balance self-care with the demands of family life and relationship time, Increase intimacy and joy and  Have more fun together!!

Question 16

What skills do a draw upon and areas I specialise in?

Accepted Answer

I am a generalist counsellor and therapist. I use a skill set that have emerged from my tapestry of education in business, counselling, and training. 
A bit about my skills set: 
 
CERT 1V Workplace Training and assessment 
Ad Dip Counselling (AIPC Australian Institute Professional Counsellors) ACA Registration 
Ad Dip Financial Counselling (Australian Institute Professional Counsellors) 
Dip Business leadership AIM (Australian Institute Management)
MHFA Qualified - Mental Health first Aider 
Volunteer for LifeLine for 8 years 
Developed with a team the training platform for a LGBTI phone counselling service 
Part of a dedicated therapist team for Byron Community Centre 
ASIST Living works trainer ( ASIST suicide intervention ) 
Qualified Mental Health First Aider (MHFA)  in corporate environment

Question 17

Preparing for a visit with a counseller

Accepted Answer

When you choose to see a counsellor, your initial appointment will likely be more rewarding if you do a little homework ahead of time.  Doing so will not only help you clarify why you are seeking professional help but will help the provider you see know whether she believes she will be able to help you or not. We will have an initial brief phone chat first and then you may want to make a list of: 
 
Any issues, concerns, or symptoms you are coping with, even if they seem to be unrelated or are not the reason why you are seeking therapy
Key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes 
What initially made you think about going to see a counsellor

I feel like I need help to get through this

Questions and what happens in counselling