FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS IN-PERSON OR ONLINE COUNSELLING BETTER?
Having worked extensively in-person and online, I decided to continue to offer both as each have benefits and suit different clients.
Some people like having a therapist's office to go to, whether that's for a separate space to talk about the hard things, or because there isn't enough privacy at home. Others just prefer that face-to-face interaction, need a break from looking at a screen, or aren't used to using Zoom for conversations. It was an adjustment for me too initially during the pandemic. There's something about sitting in the same space with someone that can feel more comforting and comfortable and make the transition to talking about issues easier.
There are also real benefits to having counselling online - my clients are often busy people and would find it hard to regularly sacrifice a couple of hours to travel to sessions, find parking, have counselling, and then commute somewhere else. Working online has almost eradicated the issue of sessions cut short for traffic or public transport hassles!
There are also no risk of clients running into people they know in the waiting room if they wouldn't want that, and more flexibility - I've had clients dial in from their cars or a spare office on their lunch break, from empty rooms at uni, and from holiday or overseas locations. New mums can have a session while their baby naps in the next room, and people can call in from their couch or bed if they've gotten a cold but still have the energy to talk. I've also had to cancel or reschedule sessions minimally from my end for sickness since working online also.
Most importantly, I was concerned that I would miss signs of how a client was feeling over video, but I've found that my sensitivity to people's energy, language and facial expressions hasn't changed and I can pick up these signals equally well online.
HOW DO WE GET STARTED?
I sometimes have a waitlist, so get in touch via email or text (I usually can't answer phone calls) to enquire about the wait time or add your name to the list, or for a brief chat about any questions or concerns about counselling. Alternatively, if I know another therapist or clinic who I think might be a better fit for what you are seeking, I might offer to refer you.
WHAT TIMES ARE SESSIONS AVAILABLE?
I provide 50 minute sessions Tuesday-Friday, except on public holidays. My online booking calendar is the easiest way to check out my current availability.
I have late afternoon/early evening sessions three days per week.
ARE THERE ANY ISSUES YOU DO NOT TREAT?
I am unable to take new clients who are experiencing active issues with self-harm/suicidality or with a confirmed or suspected personality disorder diagnosis (such as Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder etc). For BPD I recommend searching for Clinical Psychologists with training in DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy). Counsellors also do not make official diagnoses of mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety or other issues such as ADHD, but we can provide support with strategies for managing and making progress.
DO YOU WORK WITH CHILDREN AND TEENS?
I work with adults aged 18 years and over. To find a counsellor for a younger person, check out the services offered by Youthline, Fresh Minds, or Totally Psyched.
IS THERE ANY FUNDING FOR COUNSELLING?
WINZ provides some rebates for counselling through the Disability Allowance. Please see here for eligibility requirements and the process to apply.
Some health insurers will cover counselling, please check your policy and provider for details.
Many employers are part of an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to pay for counselling for staff, I am registered with the EAP provider Clearhead. Please check with your employer or HR department.
Please note I am not registered with ACC at this time.
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO COME TO COUNSELLING?
Counselling isn't generally a one-off event as it involves the counsellor getting to know you and how you think and feel. Ideally, a counsellor provides support and strategies that are tailored to you as an individual. It takes time to get to the core of issues and what might be the best approach for making progress, and it will also take practice of new skills and time to reflect between sessions.
Some people may just want to come for a few sessions to briefly consider a current situation or 'top up' their existing skills and coping strategies. For more challenging issues or patterns that have been going on for a while, some clients may wish to come regularly for several months or more.
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It is often helpful to schedule the first few sessions weekly so you and I get to know each other and get a bit of momentum going. This also helps ensure that you can secure convenient appointment times. After that, you may wish to move to fortnightly or less frequently depending on your needs.