Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to
change the world. Today I am wise,
so I am changing myself.
Rumi
Frequently Asked Questions
Following are some common questions people have who wish to see me have asked. These may assist you in some of the wonderings that are flowing through your mind right now. Please know however you are most welcome to contact me directly to talk to me more personally.
Can therapy actually help me?
Yes! I would not do what I do if I did not believe in it. Psychotherapy in particular is an evidence-based modality wherein a secure relationship is formed creating the foundations for healing and change. Such change is an immersive process of re-establishing a sense of Self with Other.
The therapy I offer is a process where I, as the Other, join with you in a journey toward reconnecting you with your sense of Self (identity-significance), Others (relationship-communication), and with the World that surrounds you (meaning-purpose). We will work toward creating a secure relational space which allows for the emergence of an internal sense trust in your Self. This includes a facilitation of Self-concept, Self-efficacy, Self- esteem, and Self-expression.
Regular therapy supports and holds this relationship. It also provides a safe and secure base to explore your inner and outer world. Regularity and continuity are important as they keep your process moving, hold you psychologically and underline the deep commitment that you have made to yourself.
I truly believe that any therapy is a journey that takes time. Whilst I can offer short-term goal orientated counselling I believe first and foremost in lasting change that occurs within the evolving relationship between the therapist and the client. Such lasting change develops with new layers of reflective Self awareness and in developing a sense of internal Self trust that emerges from being seen, heard, understood, valued, and delighted in by an Other – that is to be truly known in all of your knowing.
What issues can you help with?
Though I have experience and capacity to work with a diversity of mental health challenges, my experience within the space of burnout, breakdown, & trauma has always been where my passion lies – particularly where issues of Self and Identity arise from ambiguous trauma.
I have found that, alongside the genetic and epigenetic components of mental wellbeing, many presentations of mental illness reflect various forms of ambiguous trauma and a lost sense of Self. This epoch of time we live in is just not set up to honour the individual and unique nature of who we are.
With this in mind, some of the mental health challenges I can assist you with, however do not limit myself to, include:
+ PTSD / CPTSD
+ Single or Multiple Incident Trauma
+ Chronic Depression / Dysthymia
+ Anxiety / Panic / Separation Distress
+ Somatisation / Chronic Pain
+ Overwhelm / Stress
+ Self-esteem / Self-efficacy
+ Pregnancy / Parenting
+ Relationships / Friendships
+ Understanding your Neurodiversity
+ Personal Growth & Identity
+ Or any other Challenging Life Situations
You can read more about how I see these challenges and the areas I specialise in HERE.
Who do you support?
I work with young adults and adults who have or who are experiencing burnout, breakdown, or trauma that may present in difficulties such as:
+ PTSD / CPTSD
+ Single or Multiple Incident Trauma
+ Chronic Depression / Dysthymia
+ Anxiety / Panic / Separation Distress
+ Somatisation / Chronic Pain
+ Overwhelm / Stress
+ Self-esteem / Self-efficacy
+ Pregnancy / Parenting
+ Relationships / Friendships
+ Understanding your Neurodiversity
+ Personal Growth & Identity
+ Or any other Challenging Life Situations
What does a session look like?
Active support in co-regulated connection. Connecting in a manner that allows you to feel resonantly seen, heard, understood, accepted, valued, and delighted in.
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- This is a connection that gives compassion before knowledge.
- This is a connection that not only allows you to express your emotions, so too enables you to understand and physically/sensorily feel them.
- This is a connection that assists you to identify your positive traits and abilities, as well as to build upon them.
Active collaboration in a compassionate-focussed reparative practice rather than a “judge-it then fix-it” symptom-focussed practice.
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- This is a collaborative practice that holds foundations in the body and mind’s innate ability to change.
- This is a collaborative practice that allows you to recognise, identify, and understand the biopsychosocial manner by which you sense, perceive, interpret, and react/respond to various situations. Specifically, to recognise, identify, and understand the ways you have learned to cope with suffering and hardship.
- This is a collaborative practice that assists you in understanding the ways you may have learned to adapt or to hide your authentic sense of Self.
- This is a collaborative practice that aims to work toward co-constructing a level of physical, mental, and relational insight that opens avenues for you to make changes in alignment with your desired outcomes or goals.
- This is a collaborative practice where I will work with you in the creation of those goals should you require the assistance to identify what you truly yearn for or desire in life.
Active engagement that develops contextual coherence with continuity of care in a committed movement toward integrated wellbeing.
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- This is an engagement that above all offers choice and autonomy – as a trauma-informed therapist it is paramount that you are offered a felt sense of safety above all else. As the client I always welcome you to let me know if at any time you do not wish to engage in what I am offering. I will always welcome your authentic feedback of my service.
- This is an engagement that may offer specific interventions that are appropriate to your desired outcomes or goals.
- This is an engagement that may provide relevant information verbally, via diagram or illustration, through literature, and/or in handout form.
- This is an engagement that may offer resources or activities to help you gain insight and understanding, or to integrate session outcomes.
Are your services covered by Private Health Insurance?
Private Health Insurance Rebates
Private Health Insurance can cover services that may not be covered under the medicare offering individuals and families options and benefits beyond what is offered with public health care.
Not all therapists are covered under Private Health Insurance, however as a therapist it is my authentic hope to advocate for and to offer accessible depth-orientated therapy, as such I am registered and can provide services to those insured by:
+ BUPA
+ HCF
+ Medibank
+ AHM Health Insurance
+ The Australian Regional Health Group
Rebates are dependant on the coverage you have and in most circumstances do not necessitate a GP referral. Generally, health care funds can cover a significant portion of my fee. Check your level of cover for any benefits payable and the limitations.
Are your services covered by NDIS
The NDIS unfortunately won’t cover expenses related to psychological diagnosis of a condition that may be covered via the 6 session mental health session, or pharmacological / medical treatment designed only to stabilise or manage a condition. This includes acute, ambulatory, and continuing care via psychological and psychiatrical intervention, as well as rehabilitation or recovery. Such supports are instead covered by Medicare or relevant state health services.
What the NDIS does fund are therapeutic supports which intend to build capacity and lies within the “improved daily living” plan item. This includes psychotherapy and counselling allowing access to a trained professional who can discuss what is happening in the participant’s life without judgement.
Through the NDIS funding I may provide support with a range of topics, such as:
- Parenting
- General life advice
- Relationship issues
- Stress and anxiety
- Work and career issues
- Trauma, neglect, abuse, and;
- Anything else that may assist you in building your capacity to cope.
The NDIS enables long-term support with the same counsellor, and if desired, they can develop relationships with the participant’s family, friends, school, workplace, or other service providers to ensure they receive maximum support from their environment.
By working together utalising your NDIS funding we can find solutions and reach your full potential.
This includes “self managed” or “plan managed” funds.
Are your services covered by WorkCover Queensland?
Yes! WorkCover is an incentive that supports injured workers recover from work-related injuries. Work-related injuries can include physical injuries, psychological disorders, diseases, or even death.
They can happen while you’re at work, travelling to or from your job, on a scheduled break or as a direct result of doing your job.
Therapy (counselling or psychotherapy) is an important aspect in returning to work after an incident as it allows you to make sense of what has occurred. I offer a space of co-regulated connection and compassionate collaboration where together we begin to understand and address the aspects creating overwhelm whilst building a stronger sense of Self with clarity and capacity to slowly return to work.
To been seen under Workcover you need to provide me with your claim details (including your claim number, date of injury, case manager contact details and medical certificate) when booking.
If your claim has been approved your appointment is covered by WorkCover insurance, this means there is no gap fee. If you are still waiting for approval, the cost of the appointment will need to be paid in full, then once approved, reimbursed by WorkCover.
For more information on WorkCover Queensland please visit: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/
Are your services covered by Medicare?
Medicare Better Access to Mental Health Rebates
The Medicare Better Access to Mental Health scheme improves access to counselling by providing rebates to psychologists and mental health social workers who are registered as Medicare allied health providers. GP’s are encouraged to refer their patients who need counselling for mental health issues to these registered practitioners.
The APS National Schedule of Recommended Fees 2023-2024 has the standard 45 to 60-minute consultation fee at $300. The current medicare rebate is $93.35. This leaves an out of pocket expense of around $200.
You will find my fee comparable at only $120.
Further to this the Medicare rebate system limits the available psychologist appointments to 10 counselling sessions in a calendar year; appointments with myself or another registered therapist are unlimited. Although your GP may prefer to refer you to a psychologist, it is not necessarily mean that a psychologist will provide better care than a counsellor. It depends on the professional’s skill, area of expertise, style of counselling, the fit with your needs and personality, and cost considerations.
Selecting a counsellor is a very personal choice.
It is important that you find someone that YOU can work with. You will find a variety of counsellors on both the PACFA and CCAA websites – I always recommend reading about your practitioners areas of expertise and to give them a call to get a feel for their voice and approach toward you.
Please always feel free to connect with me for more information or to schedule a complimentary consult where I can answer your questions more adeptly.
I look forward to speaking with you.
What is your cancellation policy?
Sickness, Cancellation & Missed Appointments
The cancellation period is 48 hours’ notice; otherwise, your session is to be paid for in full. This applies to all initial sessions and all clients who choose to book week-to-week.
For clients who choose to book six sessions in advance the cancellation period of 48 hours still applies; however, a cancellation within the 48-hour period will incur a 50% charge because of your ongoing commitment.
Please be mindful, you are enrolling in a course of therapy and this policy allows me to keep your place open for you until you make a decision to end your therapy. In the case of cancellation please transfer the session fee on the usual day or bring your payment with you to the following session.
When cancelling sessions – please notify me via text or email. I am happy to telehealth your session if you are unable to make it due to illness, business/overseas travel, or other unforeseen circumstances. If you cannot connect for any reason, the 48-hour cancellation fee applies. If you know in advance that you will be unable to make your session, I will try my best to reschedule you in at another time in the same week – however, this may not always be possible.
If last minute cancellations occur on 3 occasions within a short period of time, we will explore together whether there are any underlying concerns about therapy, how you are feeling about therapy, and whether now is the right time for you.
Please note that if you are late, or I charge you a cancellation fee, I spend your usual session time in self-supervision or I read a relevant topic that will support our work together. This is what is referred to in psychotherapy as ‘holding space’. If you have something specific you would like me to read or research, please let me know. This makes for deep and rich work on your return.
How do you take payment?
I invoice prior to our therapy session, where payment is to direct debited into my account the day of the session.
Investing in psychotherapy is ultimately about placing value and worth in yourself. If your financial situation changes or you find yourself having concerns about the money side of therapy, do feel free to bring any concerns to your sessions and we can spend time working through this together.
How do I get started?
I am glad you asked! To get started simply connect with me via the button below. You can let me know a little bit about yourself and ask any questions you may have.
Upon receiving your message I shall respond with answers to any questions you may have had. I shall also set up a phone consult to connect and to ensure that you feel most comfortable with who I am and to ensure my services are the right fit for you.
