FAQs

A counsellor provides a safe, confidential and supportive space to talk about the things that may be affecting your wellbeing. Counselling can help you make sense of your thoughts and feelings, gain new perspectives, develop practical strategies and work towards meaningful change.

My role is to listen without judgement, support you to explore your concerns, and help you develop greater understanding and confidence in making your own decisions. Counselling is a collaborative process, and we work together at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

I provide counselling for adults and young people aged 13 and over, including both neurodivergent and neurotypical clients.

No. You don't need a mental health diagnosis to come to counselling. Counselling can be helpful for anyone who is experiencing challenges, feeling overwhelmed, navigating change, or simply wanting a safe and supportive space to talk. You don't need to be experiencing a mental health condition or a major life crisis to benefit from counselling. A counsellor can provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can feel heard, understood and supported as you explore what is happening in your life.

Counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists can all support people experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties, but their training, roles and scope of practice are different.

Counsellors provide a supportive and confidential space to explore personal concerns, emotions, relationships, life changes and other challenges that may be affecting your wellbeing. Counselling can help you understand what you are experiencing, explore different perspectives, develop practical strategies and work towards your goals.

Counsellors come from a range of educational backgrounds, and training requirements can vary depending on the counsellor's qualifications and professional registration. Some counsellors, like me, have completed university level counselling qualifications, including a Bachelor of Counselling. Counselling is a distinct profession from psychology, with its own professional training, ethical standards and scope of practice.

Counsellors do not diagnose mental health conditions or prescribe medication. Where a person's needs fall outside the scope of counselling, referral to an appropriate health professional may be recommended.

Psychologists are university-trained professionals who study human behaviour, thoughts and emotions. Depending on their registration, training and area of practice, psychologists may provide psychological assessment, diagnosis and psychological treatment. Psychologists use a range of therapeutic approaches to support people experiencing mental health and emotional difficulties. Psychologists do not prescribe medication in Australia.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed specialist medical training in psychiatry. They can assess, diagnose and treat mental health conditions and prescribe medication when appropriate. Psychiatrists may also provide psychological therapies and can coordinate medical or hospital-based care when required.

Which one is right for me?

The right type of support depends on your individual circumstances and what you are looking for help with. Counselling may be a suitable option if you would like a safe space to talk through your concerns, gain greater understanding of what you are experiencing and develop strategies to move forward.

If your needs are outside a counsellor's scope of practice, a referral to a psychologist, psychiatrist, GP or another appropriate health professional may be recommended.

No. You do not need a GP referral to make an appointment for counselling. You can contact me directly to arrange an appointment. I also welcome referrals and collaboration with GPs and other healthcare professionals where appropriate and, with your consent, can work collaboratively with your existing support team.

I offer online counselling, in-person counselling and Walk & Talk counselling, giving you the flexibility to choose the option that feels most comfortable and convenient for you.

Online counselling is a convenient option for people who live remotely, have busy schedules, prefer the comfort of their own home, or simply feel more comfortable accessing counselling online. Sessions are available Australia-wide.

In-person counselling is available on the Sunshine Coast, including my counselling offices in Noosaville and Cooroibah.

For those who prefer to combine counselling with gentle movement and the outdoors, Walk & Talk counselling is also available in the Noosa area.

Whichever option you choose, my aim is to provide a comfortable, supportive and confidential space where you can talk about what is happening in your life at a pace that feels right for you.

Yes. Online counselling can be just as helpful as in-person counselling for many people. Research has found that online counselling can be an effective way to access professional support, while offering greater flexibility and convenience. It can be particularly helpful for people who live remotely, have busy schedules, have difficulty travelling, or simply feel more comfortable talking from their own home.

Online counselling also provides the same opportunity to develop a supportive and confidential counselling relationship, with sessions available Australia-wide. Ultimately, the best option is the one that feels most comfortable and accessible for you.

Generally, your first session is slightly longer and includes an initial intake. This provides an opportunity to discuss confidentiality and its limits, answer any questions you may have, and begin exploring what has brought you to counselling, as well as your needs and goals for counselling.

The first session is also an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin establishing a comfortable and supportive therapeutic relationship. We can discuss what you would like support with and consider how counselling may best meet your individual needs.

There is no limit to the number of sessions, it can be short or long-term therapy, and will very much depend on your unique circumstances. Do keep in mind that once you start sessions, new issues can arise you were not aware existed, and you may want to explore these. It is of course also possible to see improvement faster than you expected.
In summary, there are no rules, just a flexible and individual approach that is suited to your goals and therapy needs. You are always the expert on your needs, and it is always your choice as to when therapy starts, pauses or ends.

Yes. What you share during counselling is treated as private and confidential, within the ethical and legal limits that apply to counselling. Maintaining your privacy is an important part of creating a safe and trusting counselling relationship.

There are some circumstances where limits to confidentiality apply. These may include:

1. Serious and imminent risk: If I believe there is a serious and imminent risk of harm to you or another person, information may need to be shared with appropriate services to help keep people safe.

2. Legal requirements: A court may require a counsellor to provide information or give evidence, including through a subpoena. In some circumstances, client records, and session notes may also be subject to a subpoena.

3. Mandatory reporting and legal obligations: There are circumstances where legislation may require information to be disclosed to relevant authorities, such as certain situations involving children and young people.

4. Other professional or legal obligations: There may be other circumstances where information needs to be disclosed where required or permitted by law.

Wherever possible, I will discuss any limits to confidentiality with you before information is disclosed, unless doing so would be inconsistent with my legal or professional obligations.

At your first appointment, we will discuss confidentiality and its limits, so you have a clear understanding of what confidentiality means, and when information may need to be shared.

No. Medicare rebates are not currently available for counselling services provided by registered counsellors in Australia. Counselling services are not currently eligible for a Medicare rebate under the Australian Government's Medicare Benefits Schedule.

If you have private health insurance, you may be eligible to claim a rebate for counselling depending on your health fund and level of cover. Please see the Private Health Fund Rebates section for more information.

You may be eligible to claim a private health fund rebate for counselling, depending on your health fund, level of cover and individual policy. Private health fund rebates vary between insurers and policies, so I recommend checking with your health fund before your appointment to confirm whether counselling is covered and what rebate you may be entitled to.

I am registered as a provider with the following private health funds. My provider number is listed below where applicable:

• HCF — Provider No. 00368707

• Bupa — Provider No. J003670

• Medibank — Provider No. A370921B

• ahm — Provider No. 21281533

• Grand United Health — Provider No. 21225872

• Doctors' Health Fund — Provider No. ACA26249

• Australian Regional Health Group (ARHG) — Provider No. AC26249T

ARHG provides access to a range of participating health funds, including Police Health, Emergency Services Health, Phoenix Health, St Lukes Health, GMHBA, see-u by HBF (telehealth only), Teachers Union Health, AIA and Westfund.

Please note: Eligibility for a private health fund rebate and the amount you can claim are determined by your individual policy. Please contact your health fund directly to confirm your eligibility before booking.

Yes. I welcome NDIS participants who are self-managed or plan-managed. You do not need a referral to make an appointment, and you can contact me directly to discuss your counselling needs.

Counselling may be available as part of your NDIS plan where it aligns with your plan goals and funding. If you are unsure whether counselling can be funded through your plan, I recommend discussing this with your Support Coordinator, Plan Manager or the NDIA.

I provide counselling for adults and young people aged 13+ and offer in-person counselling on the Sunshine Coast, online counselling Australia-wide, and Walk & Talk counselling in the Noosa area.

Yes. I am a registered WorkCover Queensland provider for eligible clients with approved claims. I provide WorkCover counselling on the Sunshine Coast for clients with an approved WorkCover Queensland claim.

If you have an approved claim and would like to discuss whether counselling may be suitable for you, please contact me before booking so we can discuss your circumstances and the requirements of your claim.

WorkCover Queensland provider number: P0007699897

I kindly ask that you give as much notice as possible when you need to
cancel. Cancellations made within 24 hours of your appointment will
incur a cancellation fee. This may be waived at discretion in extenuating circumstances.