Frequently Asked Questions

A counsellor is a trained, objective professional with whom you can build a healing & trusting relationship. They are trained to offer different types of assistance.

Counselling is a process of working through your personal problems. The counsellor helps you to address your problems in a healthy way by helping you to clarify the issues, explore options, develop strategies & increase self-awareness. 

For some people, just the process of telling their story to a counsellor, and being listened to, is helpful. 

A counsellor may work in partnership with a medical doctor or other health professionals at times to give comprehensive & integrated care. 

Counselling provides confidential support. This means that everything you discuss with the counsellor is private, between you & the counsellor. The exception is when a counsellor has a duty of care to report something that threatens your wellbeing or the wellbeing of others. This legal requirement will be explained to you in your first counselling session. 

When speaking of “healing” I am not referring to medical or physical conditions, but rather an experience where the traumatized parts of the psyche & body are given a chance to integrate & release, which assists in the regulation of the nervous system which can ease or resolve symptoms.

Sessions with Brianna are not for the official diagnosis, prevention or cure of any condition or disease. This is something to talk to a GP or Psychiatrist about.

If you are suffering from Schizophrenia, BPD (borderline personality disorder), DID (dissociative identity disorder), or other forms of mental illness please note that sessions with Brianna are not equipped to treat these kinds of diagnosis and they should be treated by a medical professional. In these cases she has seen the information and techniques used to regulate the nervous system be helpful for those who are suffering with these diagnoses, though she does not work with these issues directly due to it being beyond her scope of practice.

Brianna will not give advice, nor is trained to give advice around medication. Any decision around your medication needs to be made with your GP, psychiatrist or prescribing professional.

Any life altering decision made from a client's interpretations of a discussion in session is a client's responsibility. If one is considering making a life altering decision based on a dialogue or insight that occurs in session, for example leaving one's partner or family, changing or coming off medication, leaving their job, trying psychedelic medicines or any other decision where there may be consequences, Brianna encourages every client to seek alternative opinions and support when making them.

The main difference between somatic therapy ('soma' meaning body) & talk therapy is that in somatic therapy we focus on the way things feel in the body. We don't just focus on the story the mind makes up about the way we feel. We have the cognitive mind, who tells a story about something, & then there is the emotional piece or the way it feels in the body, the way the body responds to it. **Trauma aka undigested life experiences store in our body & build over time. They don't just disappear because we have suppressed them.**  

In traditional talk therapy, it's the cognitive mind that's worked with. You focus almost entirely on the story about the event. Talk therapy has its place & we can gain an incredible amount of insight about the underlying reasons why we feel the way that we do & sometimes, this is all people might want & that's ok.   

On the other hand, somatic therapy focuses on the way your body feels.

We can't talk our way out of a feeling problem. We have to feel it to heal it. 

A lot of people who start somatic therapy start in the same place as talk therapy. You share things about yourself, build rapport & establish safety with your therapist. Over time, the therapist starts picking up on body language & key words that are used. Maybe the client has a bouncing leg, a hard time keeping their feet still, shallow breathing, their gaze is wandering around the room, or have a hard time keeping eye contact. There could be trigger words, phrases or memories that activate uncomfortablity in the body. Safely & at a balanced pace, we go into the feeling of those uncomfortable sensations & get to know them, we turn towards them with compassion rather then away from them with resent. We use different techniques to allow them to move through as they have always needed. Sometimes we don't want to turn towards our wounded parts, because we feel like if we do, we just might drown in them, but the way we work through these parts is in a safe manner, where we don't feel like we'll be consumed. Once we're on the other side of a emotional release, we often think to ourselves "oh, that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be!" E-motions (energy in motion), are parts of us, they aren't all of us. Once we truly realise this, they don't seem as daunting to touch on as we first imagine. 

Unfortunately, mainstream Western medicine attempts to eradicate or numb our surface level symptoms rather than address the root cause. They try to cover up a much larger situation. Somatic therapies are the opposite. We safely encourage all the emotions & expressions of emotions people have rather than having them suppress them or prescribing medication. We don’t just talk about a traumatic event. We pay attention to what’s happening in the body & how the body is responding. This allows trapped/frozen energy to release from the nervous system. Once the energy is free to express itself & move through the body, it dissipates & our symptoms oftentimes naturally resolve. 

Many people have spent years in talk therapy & still feel stuck in a loop, frustrated, depressed & low. Many people feel that yes, talk therapy has helped, but they still feel like they haven't been able to move on. They haven't been able to move on because they haven't released the stuck/frozen energy that's stored within their nervous system. 

So, the difference between Somatic Therapies & Talk Therapy is that somatic therapy works the physiological & energetic aspects of a traumatic event rather than just the cognitive story -which is why my favourite modality to use with clients is 'Embodied Processing.' 

*When speaking of “healing” I am not referring to medical or physical conditions, but rather an experience where the traumatized parts of the psyche & body are given a chance to integrate & release, which assists in the regulation of the nervous system which can ease or resolve symptoms.

The Embodied Process is the bottom-up approach to working with trauma, low self-esteem, anxiety, addiction, depression and a myriad of other stress-related issues. 

This process was created based on years of lived experience, research, training and client sessions.

The creators have incorporated the best methods to help practitioners and clients deepen not only their ability to work with what was once unworkable with normal psychology, but also deepen into themselves and live a much more present and embodied life. 

With all the recent neuroscience on trauma, we are only just beginning to understand what our survival physiology is all about. The underground embodied movement sweeping through the western world is now starting to emerge and provide us with cutting edge knowledge to better understand survival physiology, allowing us the chance to make transformation happen from the ground up. Now we can work with the foundations of our human experience, rather than just playing around on the surface creating more & more enticing psychological concepts.

Within survival physiology lies the survival drive, located “below” the intellect. It is part of our body’s autonomic nervous system. Our culture is one that is based on survival and our collective physiology is one that is based on protection, threat and survival of the individual. As a result, this leaves us unable to experience true connection because our underlying physiology protects us from it. This survival drive has its roots deep within our unconscious and our body. To get to it requires us to move beyond the common psychological practices of the west and move downward, into our body, our nervous system and into the unprocessed pain that exists within our physicality.

The common state of human consciousness in the west is one that lives primarily in the intellect. Although the intellect has extreme benefits and has taken humanity further than we would have ever dreamed of a century ago, it also has its limitations and if not balanced by genuine embodiment can become problematic, keeping us cut off from direct experience and treating the symptom whilst ignoring the underlying drivers. 

Emotional distress, survival stress, trauma, anxiety, depression; all of this lives as unprocessed constrictions in our body. The Embodied Process is a technique used to safely meet and digest unprocessed life experiences, which then has the ability to lift us up to experiencing higher and higher levels of freedom within our physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological experience.

Without treating the cause we are destined to continue to trim the branches of a tree and watch them grow back, sometimes as worse, or unrecognizable behaviours/experiences. 

The cause is below the neck, it is in our physiology. We MUST learn as a culture to work with the body because our survival drive is stronger than our personal sense of willpower. 

If we do not work with this underlying survival drive then we are destined to continue to watch patterns recycle over and over again.

The above written by The Centre for Healing - Creators of Embodied Processing.

https://www.thecentreforhealing.com/blog/embodied-processing

What does an Embodied Processing session look like?

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyUl6hASTOc 

*When speaking of “healing” I am not referring to medical or physical conditions, but rather an experience where the traumatized parts of the psyche & body are given a chance to integrate & release, which assists in the regulation of the nervous system which can ease or resolve symptoms.

Counsellors / Psychotherapist / Therapist:

‘Therapist’, ‘psychotherapist’, & ‘counsellor’ are all words we generally use interchangeably. They all describe someone who provides therapeutic support to people who are experiencing difficulties related to behaviours, thoughts, feelings, & relationships.

'Counsellor’ can be a generic term used for different professions who provide counselling services.  Often people study counselling courses, such as a Bachelor, Diploma or Masters degree, that provide training on various types of counselling theories & practices. These courses will usually lead to a counsellor being eligible to register with a professional association, such as the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) or the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). These organisations ensure that approved courses provide sufficient education & preparation for counsellors to practice competently & professionally. 

One of the most important things in a counselling relationship, alongside the counsellors competence & knowledge, is that you feel your counsellor is someone you can trust & that they can help you. However, if you are uncertain & would like to find out more about their qualifications & training, don’t be afraid to ask! It is safe to say that people who work in these roles are people who want to help others. Trust your instincts & don’t be afraid to ask questions. Check qualifications if it helps, but don’t let the degrees or titles influence you more than they need to. Every person is unique & the same can be said about counsellors. 

Psychiatrists:

The title ‘psychiatrist’ is often confused with ‘psychologist’. The two words sound so similar & it is easy to get them mixed up. However, psychiatrists are very different to psychologists, social workers, & counsellors for one very important reason – they are medical doctors. Psychiatrists go through all the usual avenues to become medical doctors & then they continue their studies to specialise in the area of psychiatry (mental illness), studying for a minimum of ten years. What also sets them apart is, as medical doctors, they can prescribe medication. None of the other professions mentioned here are able to do that. Psychiatrists generally work with people with more severe cases of mental illness. They can provide counselling, but as their fees are usually sky high (for those in private practice), most people don’t see them on a long-term, regular basis for this purpose (but there are always exceptions). Psychiatrists often work in consultation with mental health teams, alongside other professions, providing specialised support & knowledge.

Psychologists:

With specialised knowledge in the various aspects of human behaviour, psychologists can work in a wide range of service settings. Although a large majority of psychologists do provide counselling services, this is not always the case. For example, some psychologists specialise in clinical or forensic research, or in conducting psychological assessment & testing. Counselling psychologists specialise in providing treatment for diagnosed mental illness & use evidence-based counselling interventions. A registered psychologist must have a four-year bachelor degree in Psychology, followed by a post-graduate degree or two years supervised training. Clinical psychologists complete additional studies, often a Masters or PhD, further specialising in the area of diagnosing & treating mental health conditions. (Don’t forget that someone with a Phd can use the title ‘Doctor’ but that does not make them a medical doctor, & they can’t prescribe medication).

Social Workers

In Australia, social workers provide a wide range of support to individuals, families & groups in diverse contexts, with a focus on social, psychological, & cultural needs. All social workers share an underlying commitment to human rights & social justice & can work in roles such as casework, advocacy, & community development. Social workers are trained in human development & counselling interventions in their undergraduate studies. However some will choose to continue their training to specialise in counselling. These ‘clinical social workers’ or Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSW’s) are required to register with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) & maintain this registration, which is similar to the requirements for Registered Psychologists. AMHSW’s need to complete a four-year bachelor degree in social work, as well as completing another two years of supervised practice in a mental health field. Most AMHSW’s work in private practice & provide evidence based counselling interventions for people with mental health conditions & related issues.

Life Coaching:

Life coaches help their clients identify & achieve personal, health, financial & career goals. Depending on the client's needs & desires, coach & client work together to identify realistic goals, strategise how the client might achieve those goals, & then meet regularly to check on the client's progress. A life coach provides accountability, motivation & problem-solving ideas. However, life coaching is an unregulated field, & coaches are not required to hold a professional license. Many life coaches complete a training program, however, which can lead to professional certification. 

I’m a registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association (#20374).

I hold a Diploma of Counselling (nationally accredited) with the ‘Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors.'

I am a certified Embodied Processing Practitioner & a certified Trauma-informed Coach through The Centre for Healing.

I am also a certified Integrated Attachment Theory Coach through The Personal Development School. 

I regularly undertake professional development & engage in my own personal development. I have my own ACA Counselling Supervisor which I have meetings with monthly to address any concerns & who ensures I'm working in an ethical manner. I also have my own therapist in order to maintain working on my inner self. This provides my clients with a therapist who is well rounded & who practices what she preaches. 

"People can only meet you, as deeply as they’ve met themselves. “ (by Matt Kahn) 

I personally love the self exploration journey, meeting deeper versions of myself & truly understanding all of my underlying working parts, where they originated & how to work through & heal different blocks. 

Please feel free to check out the "My approach" page for information on the therapies & techniques I use in practice. 

You can also find me listed on:

Psychology Today

 https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/counselling/light-the-way-counselling-creek-junction-vic/937064

Australian Counselling Association 

https://theaca.net.au/counsellors/brianna-king/

HealthShare

https://www.healthshare.com.au/profile/professional/457585-brianna-king/#overview

Embodied Processing Practitioner Directory

https://www.thecentreforhealing.com/practitioner-directory?overlay=0910892d-3fb1-4be0-9771-d3e0ad83207a

Sometimes counselling sessions feel great & you get an immediate sense of relief. 

However...

- Sometimes you feel temporarily worse after counselling. 

- Sometimes counselling sessions can feel triggering.

- Sometimes counselling sessions feel frustrating. 

- Sometimes your symptoms might get more intense for a while after starting counselling.

- Sometimes you need hours or days to fully recover from a counselling session. 

Counselling is often about slow progress instead of constant breakthroughs.

Communicate with your counsellor if you're worried about what you're experiencing (& if your counsellor is behaving unprofessionally or unethically, it's ok to leave & start looking for a new counsellor). Not every counsellor will be the right one for you & that's ok. Try not to let this affect your search for the right counsellor for you. 

Good counselling can feel uncomfortable, but it shouldn't feel unsafe. 

When you finally find a grounded method & counsellor to help you integrate trauma & regulate your nervous system; almost always, you will go through a phase or phases, with parts of you resisting the work. 

You may resist showing up for the sessions, or even booking sessions. 

This can happen & it's ok if / when this happens. This is just a sign that your protective parts (surviving parts of the psyche) are trying to protect you, avoiding any situation that will make you get closer to the pain of your original hurt/trauma. Your protective parts have spent a long time doing everything to avoid touching on those original traumas; beginning to think about them & feel them can feel uncomfortable for a time. This is ok & we must accept this as a part of the healing journey. 

Although your conscious mind may have the best intentions & want to create healthy change, your subconscious mind might not be ready or feel prepared for this.

Our subconscious prefers 'what is known' to 'what is best.' Our subconscious prefers its comfort zone.

The most interesting thing that people have found is that the pain of getting in touch with their wounded parts is never as bad as their self-protective parts imagine. It's not always comfortable, but it's tolerable, as the work is gentle, titrated* & you feel supported. 

*Titration exposes a person to small amounts of trauma-related distress at a time in order to build up tolerance & avoid becoming overwhelmed by traumatic memories. In therapy, people pay close attention to the sensations they experience when revisiting a traumatic event and gradually become less affected by them.

Trauma integration happens step by step, session by session of you showing up, bravely, supporting yourself. 

I want to be very clear in my response to this question so that those seeking therapy with me will have a clear understanding of what I do & don't offer, this way, expectations will hopefully be more balanced. 

I do not make any promises of specific results. The techniques I use have in my own experience & in the observation of many of my clients’ experience have brought about tangible & intangible benefits in their lives & assisted in the resolution of somatic stress, though there can be no guarantee of a specific outcome as each client responds differently.

I don't view anyone as broken & requiring fixing. I do not offer a 'quick fix.' Any therapy that does offer a 'quick fix' or a 'magic bullet' is something that I would personally approach with caution. Some people will only need a couple of sessions with me to clarify something, &/or take certain insights or information with them to begin their own healing journey & that's ok. But many times, we need professional support & guidance for a period of time before we're able to truly go at it alone through self help. That's ok too. We also need to be aware that 'talk' therapy has its place, but, we can't think our way out of a feeling problem. Many of the unhelpful cycles/loops we get stuck in are because our nervous system is storing/containing undigested life experiences aka trauma & reacting to situations from that space. For true healing & change, these undigested life experiences need to be safely processed out of the nervous system through feeling in order for them to soften & release. We can't talk / intellectualise / cognise our way out of a feeling problem - We need to feel it to heal it. If we don't, we may spend years in therapy talking our way round in circles. 

Many of our behavior's/issues/cycles have taken decades to form & reinforce themselves. Thinking/hoping/expecting that we can erase all of our past hurt, dysfunctional patterns & nervous system dysregulation in a short amount of time with a couple of sessions &/or using some basic strategies every now & then, may only put unnecessary pressure on ourselves & potentially lead to disappointment if/when we fall back into old patterns - leading to frustration, self criticism, blame, hopelessness, shame & defeat. The therapy I offer is about safely rewiring our nervous system (subconscious mind/body) out of ingrained protection & into connection. This is a process that takes daily commitment.

I am not here to fix you, I am here to help guide you towards healing yourself.  

When we're talking & feeling with our therapist, what's actually happening is trust & rapport are developing, a therapeutic bond is forming. This is paramount in anyone's journey & is something that may go unnoticed by the client. We're showing our nervous system that we can trust someone. When we feel safe & non-judged with someone, it is extremely powerful, we're more likely to be honest with ourselves, open up & explore things on a much deeper level which is needed for true healing & change to occur. A therapist can only take us as deep as we allow, & that depends on how safe we feel with our therapist & ourself. For some, simply establishing an emotionally safe space with another person (the therapist) that they can then take out into their world is all that they'll want from the therapy process. This is a perfectly ok goal to have. 

For those wanting to go deeper, the healing journey is a daily lifestyle that takes compassion, curiosity, courage & commitment. What we do in session is just a fraction of that lifestyle that then requires daily work between sessions, implementing what we've spoken about in sessions, completing the 'homework' videos/reading that have been emailed to us between sessions, practicing communicating our needs & boundaries in healthy ways with others (this is a BIG one) etc. If we aren't doing the work between sessions, then progress in our overall life will be very slow, if at all. Growth doesn't have much of a chance if we're only giving it attention for an hour a fortnight/month in our therapy session. It is imperative that the work between sessions is being completed for progress & change to occur. We are rewiring a nervous system, it needs consistency & daily commitment (Keeping in mind that we all have a different timeline for the pace of our journey & this is perfectly ok). 

It may be tempting to blame those around us (including the therapist) when we don't feel like change is happening, but we need to ask ourselves if we're doing the work that's required between sessions. We also need to ask if we are really ready for change & to do the work it takes. Oftentimes the conscious mind wants change, but the subconscious mind fears change = subconscious resistance. The subconscious mind prefers what's known (its comfort zone) to what's best (change, new way of life, the unknown). Of course, if you feel like your therapist & the way they work with clients isn't for you, then finding a new therapist might be what's needed. 

The only person who can rewire our unhelpful thoughts, behavioral patterns & beliefs that our subconscious has conditioned itself with is ourself & I am speaking from personal experience! We are the only ones that can create true change. Until we accept this & commit to consistently doing the work for ourself, we will be stuck in a cycle of helplessness & victimhood which doesn't get us anywhere. We need to take accountability for our lives & change, which when taken a hold of actually feels very empowering. A supportive network of people around us (including a therapist we feel safe with), is very helpful in this process. A therapist looks in at our lives through an objective lens & can help guide us & awaken us to different parts of ourselves that we may not have recognized before, they can help us to see blocks we may have missed. 

The journey of awakening to our inner experience, our subconscious mind/body is about understanding ourselves on a much deeper level with compassion, beginning to explore why we do what we do instead of just habitually reacting. This leads to true change.

"Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life & you will call it fate."

- Carl Jung. 

Many therapies revolve around identifying a surface level symptom & working with the symptom. This often leads to people maybe feeling good for a while & then soon enough, the same cycle begins again. I help people search for the root-cause of what's driving the symptom in the first place. There are many working parts under why we do what we do. Oftentimes, the root of why we do what we do can actually be quite innocent. For e.g. The need to feel loved, the need to be seen, heard, valued, respected, understood, belong, accepted, to feel safe etc. It's just sometimes we go about trying to meet these needs in all sorts of unhelpful ways. Over time with self exploration, we unpack the subconscious mind/body, its behaviors' & patterns, & bring it into our conscious mind so that we can finally take a pause & make conscious choices.

Many people come to therapy having an expectation to feel better about life, & yes, as time & the personal work on oneself is happening, as a byproduct, we do feel more balanced, regulated, focused, self aware & secure overall. This is because we are no longer bumping around in the dark, confused about our inner experience. We are becoming awakened to our subconscious patterns, we are getting in the drivers seat of ourself instead of being controlled by subconscious programming. Did you know that our subconscious mind makes up 95-97% of our beliefs, thoughts & behavior's? The conscious mind is only responsible for 3-5%. That's why it's SO important to understand our subconscious mind/body on both an intellectual & embodied level. 

We need to keep in mind that life isn't about feeling happy, excited & elated all the time. Life will be bumpy & we will experience all of our emotions. It's what makes us human. Therapy isn't about paying someone to make us feel better. Therapy can actually feel quite uncomfortable, confronting & challenging at times. The therapist is meant to be a safe space for you to be able to finally process everything you've been keeping at bay & also a space to learn healthy ways of existing. (Keeping in mind though that therapy shouldn't feel unsafe, if it does, let your therapist know or you may benefit from finding a new therapist). What we are actually striving for is a baseline of inner peace within the self. This comes from having a compassionate understanding of our inner dynamics. Then, this inner peace as a byproduct has an effect on our external world & relationships. When we have a baseline of true inner peace, when triggering events do present themselves, we respond to them from a place of consciousness & balance instead of unconscious trauma-time reactivity (most of the time, as no one is perfect). 

We are complex beings. We have emotions. I believe that there is no such thing as positive or negative emotions. Healthy fear, sadness, anger, surprise, happiness & disgust are all part of the human experience. We need all of them. They serve different purposes. Sometimes, we haven't been modelled this type of perspective. Maybe we've been taught to hide or suppress the more uncomfortable emotions or that they're shameful. As a result of this, we then attach negative narratives to them which effects how we experience them. Our emotions are just messengers trying to communicate different things to us, they want to be heard so they can be supported or acted upon by us. I help people build emotional intelligence which helps change their relationship to their emotions. Our emotions become allies instead of enemies. 

In childhood, we need to be modelled healthy communication, emotional regulation, healthy ways to soothe & healthy behavior's. If we haven't been, then we may have some unaddressed trauma that we don't fully recognize or understand yet, so we do the best with what we know at the time. There can be many subconscious drivers/programming running unchecked which causes us to do what we do without understanding why. This can then lead to different issues in adult life, frustration & confusion as to why we keep getting stuck in the same cycles. The good news is though that yes, we may have learnt dysfunctional or dysregulated ways of being, but with the right information, self-awareness, curiosity, guidance, self-exploration & emotional processing, we can unlearn those dysfunctional ways of being & relearn/reprogram healthy ways. We approach ourselves with love, understanding & compassion. 

As we start to become self-aware & understand the root cause of why we do what we do, eventually, dysfunctional behaviors & anything that has never been truly us, naturally starts to fall away. The healing journey isn't necessarily about adding anything to ourselves, it's about shedding away all the things that aren't us. The 'change' we speak of is about realizing who we had to become to survive (the false self, the ego) & that it is not truly us, & getting back into contact with our true self that we may have lost touch with a long time ago. This can take time, but it's worth it. We also need to keep in mind that there can be a grieving process connected to the healing journey. Everything we thought we once were or once knew can dramatically change, so we need to allow time & space as we go through this. We utilize people like therapists in order to help guide us along this journey. Not all therapists work in this way, so finding the right one for you will be important for your journey. 

My style of therapy will not suit everyone & that's ok, but if you are interested in what I offer & are ready to truly do the work, then feel free to reach out to me. 

*When speaking of “healing” I am not referring to medical or physical conditions, but rather an experience where the traumatized parts of the psyche & body are given a chance to integrate & release, which assists in the regulation of the nervous system which can ease or resolve symptoms.

For general therapy needs, you do not need a GP referral to access my services. Simply head over to the services/bookings page of this website to book a session. 

Circumstances where I do require a GP referral:

If you are seeking therapy from me while in the active stage of addiction using a high risk substance, I will need a GP referral for us to work together. This is to ensure that you have access to all the essential supports needed when detoxing etc.

I will also require a GP referral if you are in the active stages of self harm, domestic violence or have plans for suicide. This is to ensure you have access to all the essential supports during these kind of crisis.   

Before we begin counselling sessions together a Counselling Contract, a Privacy & Confidentiality Agreement & a Client Intake Form will need to be completed. They can be found under the 'Forms' button on this website. These can either be filled in on your device or printed out & signed. 

These forms are in place to protect both you & I in our work together. They are required for legal & ethical reasons. The information you share with me is completely confidential. 

The only exception to confidentiality is when: 

- You have explicitly given me permission to share information, such as informing your emergency contact of an emergency situation or when you have signed your permission for a referral. 

- I consider you to be at risk of harming yourself or someone else. 

- I consider a child to be at risk. 

- In some cases a significant crime may be or has been committed. 

- Your counselling records, or part thereof, have been requested by a court of law.

In any of these cases I will let you know before I proceed with anything.  

Everyone is unique. There is no right or wrong amount of sessions. Some people may only need one or two to gain clarity on an issue that they're struggling with, while others will benefit from regular sessions. I will check-in with you regularly during sessions to see how you feel you are going. 

Therapy Frequency Guide:

Solid Gains - A chance to make solid gains & achieve your therapy goals. One session per week / fortnight. 

Moderate Support - Maintain good functioning & reinforce gains. One session every other week.

Maintenance - Check-in for support & realignment. One session monthly.

Check-ins - Come as needed or when you are in stressful situations, or during a difficult time of year. 

I offer sessions via Zoom to clients around Australia. Many people find that these communication methods are just as effective as meeting in person. Zoom counselling can make things easier for you if you live remotely, or, travel expenses or travel time is an issue. Some people prefer the comfort of their own home/environment when talking with me. By not having an office location, I can also keep session costs lower. 

Telehealth therapy refers to counselling / therapy services conducted over the internet or over the phone. In contrast to in-person therapy, Telehealth allows you to connect with a licensed counsellor using any device that has an internet connection or phone service. 

Other terms that are often used interchangeably with Telehealth are tele-therapy or e-therapy. 

Pros of Telehealth:

- Telehealth therapy research shows that this kind of therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for various holistic health issues.

- It can be a good option for remote areas. 

- No travel time or travel expenses necessary.

- Convenience & affordability. 

- Accessibility for people with physical limitations. 

- Treatment can be more approachable. Telehealth access can make it easier for people to overcome the stigma that has historically been attached to holistic health issues. Telehealth can offer privacy. The client can talk over the phone & not be physically seen by the counsellor if they choose.

Cons of Telehealth:

- Insurance companies may not cover it depending on the State you live in. 

- Some States don't allow out-of-state providers. 

- Lack of physical response to crisis situations. Since Telehealth counsellors are distant from the client, it can be difficult for them to respond quickly & effectively when a crisis happens. 

- Full body language of the client may not be able to be seen by the counsellor. 

- Ethical & Legal concerns. Ensure that your counsellor / therapist has relevant qualifications & experience before you begin your therapy process.  

I work from my home office. I am strictly telehealth. 

Registered Counsellors & Psychotherapists are not currently included in the Medicare Rebate scheme but often the session fees are less than registered Psychiatrists, Psychologists & Social Workers. In fact, you may find that the cost is not dissimilar to the out of pocket expenses you could pay with a Medicare rebate.

It is important to note that Counsellors & Psychotherapists do not assess an individual on mental health disorders through defined criteria. Rather, they see each individual as unique and aim to work within a clearly contracted relationship that enables individuals to obtain assistance in exploring and resolving issues.

The medical route (mental health care plan) for access to mental health services certainly has its advantages for you if:  

- You require a mental health disorder diagnosis.

- You need short-term mental health support.

- You are unable to pay for the full cost charged by a mental health service provider registered under the Medicare scheme. 

However, it is worth noting that:  

- Your mental health diagnosis with a mental health plan becomes part of your medical records forever & can be disclosed to third parties, such as life insurance companies (you may be deemed as a risk and pay a higher premium) or future employers (such as the police force or ambulance service which require a mental health evaluation).

- Your choice of mental health professional is likely to be based on a registered list of providers who often provide short term, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which might not suit your needs.

- There are often out of pocket expenses to pay, as the Medicare rebate may not fully cover the cost of the sessions. 

When we log into Zoom, I will welcome you & have a brief general chat. 

   
We will then turn our attention towards the counselling contract. (Even though you would have completed the counselling contract & privacy & confidentiality agreement prior, briefly going over it together in the first session is just a formality.) I will then ask some further questions around what has bought you to counselling today & what it is that you would like to discuss. We will then progress from there.   

Overall, this initial session is an opportunity for me to get to know you better, for you to hopefully begin to build trust, safety & rapport with me & for you to ask any questions you might have.

My goal for the session is to have you feel emotionally safe. There will be no judgement on whatever comes up for you. I approach my sessions with a laid back, authentic, non-judgmental, 'all is welcome here' intention. 

Hints & Tips to get the most out of our Telehealth sessions:  

- Ensure that you’re in a distraction-free zone where it’s quiet & private.  

- Try to find a physically comfortable position.  

- Ensure the device that you're using for our Zoom meeting is charged & has adequate speakers/headphones to be able to hear with etc. 

- If you haven't used Zoom before, please ensure that the Zoom app is downloaded, familiarized with etc (The app is free) prior to our appointment.  

- Have things you need within reach (drink, pen, notes, blanket, pillow etc). 

- Ensure that you have adequate internet reception. If the internet at either end does happen to drop out, I will contact you back straight away. If I can't get back through, I'll email &/or text you.