Common questions

Counselling is a private, professional space to think out loud with someone trained to listen, and to do something with what you find there. In a session that might mean naming a pattern you hadn't noticed, sitting with a feeling long enough to understand it, or working out what you actually want to do next. It's helpful to know how this differs from seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist. Psychologists are trained to assess and diagnose mental health conditions, often guided by a structured treatment plan. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can also diagnose and prescribe medication. That's different work again. I'm not here to diagnose you or tell you what your experience means. I won't give you advice or tell you what to do. The work is led by you, at your pace, and my job is to follow your thinking, ask questions that open things up, and stay present with whatever you bring, including the parts that feel too tangled or too heavy to say anywhere else. Counsellors often work alongside psychologists and psychiatrists, so if you're already seeing someone, counselling can sit comfortably within that picture. It's worth knowing that "counsellor," unlike "psychologist," isn't a legally protected title in Australia, which is why registration matters. I am registered with the Australian Counselling Association, and maintain all requirements to uphold this. You don't need a referral, a mental health plan, or a diagnosis to see me. Whenever the time feels right, I'm here.

The first session is a little different from the ones that follow. There are some important things we need to cover together before we settle into the work, and I want to be upfront about that so it doesn't feel like a surprise. Before we meet, you'll receive a secure link to complete an intake form. This covers some background information and means we don't have to spend our time together on paperwork. If you have questions about anything on the form, we can talk through those too. At the start of our first session, we'll walk through confidentiality and your rights as a client together. This isn't a formality I rush through. It matters, because it shapes how we work and what you can trust me with. I'll explain what stays private, and the rare circumstances where safety means I may need to involve someone else. From there, I'll invite you to share a little about what's brought you here, what's been hardest, and what you're hoping for. I may ask some questions about your background, supports, and daily life. You don't need to prepare or have the right words. Just come.

Grief has its own shape. It's not depression, even though it can look like it, and it doesn't always respond to the same approaches. Grief counselling makes room for the loss itself — the relationship, what it meant, what's changed — rather than treating grief as a symptom to be reduced.

No. You can book directly. I'm a counsellor, not a psychologist, so a GP Mental Health Care Plan isn't required (and Medicare rebates generally don't apply to counselling).

Not at this time. Medicare rebates under a Mental Health Care Plan aren't available for counselling sessions, that's specific to seeing a psychologist or GP-referred provider. No referral is needed to book with me, and my fees are set to be broadly comparable to what a psychologist costs after a Medicare rebate is applied. If this changes in future, I'll update this page.

There's no fixed answer. Some people come for a few sessions around a specific loss; others work with me over a longer period. We can talk about what makes sense for you as we go.

Yes, 40-minute sessions are available after your first session. They're there for a few different reasons: some people simply don't have an hour to give, others find an hour is genuinely too much, whether that's due to a chronic illness, fatigue, or the sensory and energy demands that can come with being neurodivergent. There's no need to explain which of these applies to you, if 40 minutes suits you better, that's reason enough. Your first session is still 60 minutes. There are a few important things to cover before we get to what you're actually bringing, and I'd rather we had the room for that properly than rush it to fit a shorter slot.

What you share in session stays between us, with a few legal exceptions (if there's risk of serious harm to you or someone else, if a court subpoenas records, or if a child's safety is at risk). I'll talk you through this in your first session. See the Privacy & Confidentiality page for more detail.

For many people, yes — and for some, it's better. You don't have to travel, you can be in your own space, and the research on telehealth counselling is generally positive. If telehealth turns out not to suit you, I can suggest in-person practitioners.

These are individual sessions, so generally no — but if there's a specific reason you'd like a support person present (an interpreter, for example), please mention it when you book and we can talk it through.

Life happens and appointments are occasionally missed. Please provide as much notice as possible if you cannot attend so that I can offer the time to another person. Please note that under 24 hours cancellation notice will be invoiced the full session fee.

Life happens, to counsellors too. I will give as much notice as I can and refund the entire fee.

Not just yet, but I am preparing a space for this in Kyneton. When will this happen? With all renovations delays happen so hopefully towards the end of 2026. When the space is ready, we will be close to the Kyneton Botanical Gardens. If meeting there instead appeals to you, this is something I can offer when in person sessions commence.

No, I will send you a secure link which you can open on your device.

You do not need one of these for our sessions, but some clients like to have them. You can read more about it here.
If you are interested after reading about it, email me and I can send you a link to join.