Answers to all your therapy questions
Starting therapy can feel like stepping into the unknown, and it’s natural to want to understand how it all works. These answers are here to give you a clearer picture of what to expect.
Still have a question that you would like answered?
If life looks fine but doesn’t feel fine, therapy can help you understand why (and help open the door to something better).
Pricing and booking information
My fee is $245 for a standard 50-minute session. You may be eligible for a rebate with Medicare or your private health insurance.
The length of therapy depends on your goals, what brings you to therapy, and the depth of work you’d like to do.
As a general guide, short-term therapy is from approx. 16-20 sessions, and longer-term therapy is 40+ sessions.
I primarily work with people who are interested in deeper, longer-term therapy. This is because the approaches I use are focused not only on symptom relief but also on developing a deeper understanding of yourself, your relationships, and longstanding patterns.
I see people on a weekly or fortnightly basis, as the therapy I offer is most effective with consistency.
Get in touch, and we can explore an initial session appointment time. In the first session, we’ll explore what brought you here, why now, and what you hope to achieve through therapy.
You do not need a referral from your GP to engage in therapy. You can attend as a private self-referring patient.
If you see your GP, you can talk to them about a mental health treatment plan, so you can get some money back from Medicare. The rebate with a clinical psychologist is approx. $145 per session for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.
As for private health, you may be eligible for a rebate with your private healthcare provider.
I understand that something may come up and you need to rebook. At least 48 hours’ notice is required to reschedule or cancel an appointment. A late cancellation fee applies.
It is common to feel anxious in the lead-up to a session – please bring this up with me as it is a fab opportunity to learn more about yourself and explore any concerns about the therapeutic relationship.
General information
I know… there are so many types of therapy out there, and it can feel confusing to know what’s what.
The framework I use is called psychodynamic therapy, which is based on psychoanalytic ideas. This exploratory approach focuses on exploring the unconscious and understanding the deeper layers of emotional difficulties, rather than just managing surface-level symptoms. To learn more about the efficacy of psychodynamic therapy, here is a great pdf explainer.
I also draw on Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, which helps us get to know the different “parts” of you and understand how they’ve been shaped by your past. Together, these approaches offer a rich, in-depth way of working that goes beyond offering coping strategies and aims for lasting change.
I work with adults who have a wide range of emotional and relational difficulties. Common problems include: Longstanding anxiety/low mood, relational difficulties, C-PTSD.
Some situations, such as acute crises or presentations requiring more intensive support, may not be suitable for this type of therapy. If you’re unsure whether this approach is right for you, please get in touch.
I work with adults who are curious about themselves and interested in a more insight-oriented approach to therapy. People often come to me because they want to understand themselves deeply and why they feel the way they do.
Some of the people I commonly work with include (but aren’t limited to):
- Adults navigating life transitions
- LGBTQIA+ folk
- Health care professionals and therapists
- Professionals
- People living in rural or remote areas.
Therapy information
The first session is about beginning to understand what’s brought you here. We’ll talk about three main things: what you’re experiencing, what you hope to get out of therapy, and why you’ve chosen to seek support now. I’ll also explain a bit about how I work and answer any questions you have about the process.
In therapy, the early sessions are less about “doing” and more about getting to know each other. This helps us build a shared understanding of what’s happening for you. Patterns, themes, and deeper layers often begin to emerge naturally as we talk.
A valid concern! If this occurs, I know it will feel uncomfy, but please bring it up. There may be unconscious factors at play, which is perfect “grist for the therapy mill”. I also seek feedback on how the therapeutic relationship is going.
I didn’t like doing homework at school either… I won’t MAKE you do anything, and homework is not part of my approach. Although, like a lot of things in life, I firmly believe you get out what you put in when it comes to therapy.
Are you wondering if it will be worth your time? Time is money, right? This is a very psychological answer, but it depends. It will not happen overnight. Full disclosure, you may actually feel worse at the beginning. This means that you are building insight into the problem and is a natural part of the process.
In my experience, psychotherapy is a deeply worthwhile and rewarding process. One super interesting finding from research on psychodynamic therapy is that people often continue to improve after treatment ends. (Likely because the work doesn’t just address symptoms, it helps you understand the underlying issues driving them, so change keeps unfolding.) How cool is that!
Yes! Heidi is a mini schnauzer and the newest (and furriest) member of the team. She’s still a puppy, which means sitting still isn’t her strongest skill just yet. If you’d like her to join your session, just let me know!
Made it to the bottom of the page and still wondering “is therapy for me?”
The best way to know if therapy’s right for you is to try it.
