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Mental health social workers are qualified social workers who have specialist mental health training and expertise. They can provide evidence based psychological strategies such as CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR to individuals experiencing anything along the full spectrum of mild to very complex mental health issues. Mental health social workers consider the person in their environment, so helping you to identify and address social and other environmental issues to improve your quality of life. Mental health social workers are “experts in complexity” so if you have a range of things going (mental health, family, finances, legal, etc) we’re well suited to support you.

Counselling and therapy are closely related fields in which a trained individual uses specific knowledge and skills to help another with issues, problems and concerns. At times people may use these terms interchangeably. Counselling typically addresses specific issues or challenges in a client's life, focusing on short-term solutions and practical strategies to overcome immediate concerns such as relationship problems, stress management, or career transitions. Therapeutic interventions, on the other hand, have a broader scope, delving deeper into underlying emotional and psychological factors contributing to distress. Therapy may be short-term or long-term, aiming to promote long-lasting healing and personal growth by exploring past experiences, patterns of behaviour, and deeper emotions. Counsellors often provide support, guidance, and psychoeducation, while therapists utilise a range of therapeutic techniques tailored to the individual's needs, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or experiential therapies. While counsellors may have various educational backgrounds and certifications in counselling, therapists typically hold advanced degrees in psychology, counselling, or social work, and are certified to practice therapy in their jurisdiction.

Individual sessions typically last around 50-60 minutes, while family sessions are extended to 90 minutes each. To understand the difference in cost between these services, please consult the fee schedule provided. In the initial stages, counselling or therapy sessions generally occur weekly to fortnightly. However, the frequency can be adjusted according to your needs. I suggest starting with weekly sessions to establish a strong therapeutic bond, identify your concerns, and clarify your goals, as research indicates that consistent weekly sessions enhance the effectiveness of treatment. The duration of treatment varies based on the complexity of the presenting issue. Counselling sessions are typically brief, often requiring four to six sessions to observe significant progress. Conversely, therapy sessions delve into deeper issues and may require a more extended duration to address comprehensively, promoting a more balanced and holistic life. For family therapy, I strongly advocate for a commitment to a minimum of four to six sessions to allow for adequate exploration and progress in addressing relational dynamics and fostering growth.

Unfortunately no rebate is available at the moment. However, if you are a concession card holder or experiencing financial hardship, please do not hesitate to reach out to me to discuss sliding scale fee options. I also accept NDIS plan and self managed participants with capacity building and psychological assistance fundings.

No. All counselling and therapy sessions are billed according to the fee schedule.

If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please give me at least 24 hours' notice. If you cannot make your appointment in person, we can adjust sessions via telehealth (phone/online). For no-show and appointments cancelled or rescheduled with less than 24 hours' notice, a fee will be charged. The amount of the fee depends on the type and duration of the session originally scheduled. This fee must be paid along with the consultation fee at your next appointment, or beforehand. Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated.

Any information you share with your counsellor or therapist remains confidential. I adhere to the Ethics and Practice Guidelines outlined by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), ensuring your privacy is protected. Before starting treatment, I will go over all ethical obligations regarding confidentiality with you.