Frequently Asked Questions

No. You do not need a GP referral, Mental Health Care Plan, or referral from another health professional to book counselling.

Counselling is a professional, confidential conversation that gives you space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and challenges with a qualified and supportive person. It’s not about being told what to do. It’s about working together to understand your experiences and find a path forward that feels right for you.

Counsellors and psychologists both provide therapeutic support, but have different training backgrounds. Counsellors focus on talking therapies and supporting emotional wellbeing, drawing on evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and SFBT. Psychologists typically have additional training in assessment and diagnosis.

For many people experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, or everyday life challenges, counselling is an effective and accessible form of support.

Finding the right counsellor matters, and it’s important that you feel comfortable and supported.

That’s why I offer a free 15-minute connection call, a chance for us to briefly connect, talk about what brings you to counselling, get any questions answered, and see whether it feels like the right fit.

The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and gently explore what has brought you to counselling. We may talk about what has been happening for you, what support you are looking for, and what you hope to gain from counselling.

There is no pressure to share everything at once. We move at a pace that feels comfortable and manageable for you.

That’s completely fine. Lots of people come to counselling unsure of where to begin, or feeling overwhelmed by everything they’re carrying.

You don’t need to have it all figured out before starting. We can begin wherever you are and work through things together, one step at a time.

Sessions are 60 minutes long. This gives us enough time to check in, work through what’s on your mind, and close in a way that feels settled before you return to your day.

This varies from person to person. Some people find a few sessions helpful for a specific concern, while others prefer ongoing support over time. We can regularly review what feels helpful and work together at a pace that suits your needs.

You can book online using the link on the Contact page, or call or email directly. Booking online is the quickest option and you can pick a time that suits you from available slots.

Yes. Life happens, and I understand that plans sometimes need to change. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give at least 24 hours’ notice. You can do this through the online booking system or by contacting me directly by phone or email.

When you book a session, I set that time aside exclusively for you. Late cancellations and no-shows disrupt your continuity of care, prevent me from offering that time to someone else who needs support, and represent a real loss of income. I appreciate your understanding and respect for this policy.

A cancellation fee may apply for late cancellations or no-shows.

Yes. Online sessions run on Saturdays. On Wednesdays, you can choose either online or face-to-face at Level 1, Suite 8, 196 Mouat Street, Lyneham 2602 — whichever suits you best.

All sessions are conducted via secure video call. Once your appointment is confirmed, you’ll receive a link to join at your scheduled time. You can join from anywhere private: at home, in your car, or wherever you feel comfortable.

All you need is a device with a camera and microphone, and a stable internet connection.

Research consistently shows that online counselling is just as effective as in-person sessions for most people and most concerns. Many clients find the convenience and privacy of online sessions actually makes it easier to open up and engage with the process.

Yes. Counselling is confidential, meaning what we discuss stays private.

There are some legal and ethical limits to confidentiality, such as concerns about safety or risk of harm to yourself or others. If this ever becomes relevant, I will discuss this openly and clearly with you.

I work with adolescents (12 years and older) and adults. Sessions are delivered online (Saturdays, and Wednesdays if you prefer), so you can access support from anywhere in Australia, or face-to-face on Wednesdays at my Lyneham office.

Yes. I work with adolescents aged 12 years and older, as well as adults. If you’re a parent or guardian enquiring on behalf of a young person, feel free to get in touch to discuss how the process works.