What is best for you…

Working Together to heal your heart and heal your mind…

In the field of mental health treatment there are many different options for you to choose from, and it is important to know what will work best for you. This page may give you some guidance as to what service is most appropriate for you, as well as giving you an idea of what I offer.

I am a counsellor as opposed to a psychologist or a psychiatrist, though I have had some psychological training. As a counsellor my practice is client centric, with you the client acting as expert. My services are focused on you as the client finding pathways towards a fulfilling life. This may require focussing on a specific issue or a range of issues and behaviours, but the key character is always you.

Counselling work involves a lot of real-world solutions and active problem management, but it is different from psychological and psychiatric intervention in some key ways. I do not prescribe medication and I am currently not offering Medicare rebates (though you may be able to be reimbursed through the NDIS or a private health provider). If you decide that medication is appropriate for you then I will be able to refer you to a psychiatrist or an appropriate medical service. In terms of Medicare, you are entitled to ten mental health sessions per year with a recognised provider after you have received a referral. These ten sessions will usually be used to focus on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which work well for some issues but not all. The limit in place of ten sessions can also put an undue stress on you as the client/patient to resolve your issues before you are ready. The ten sessions also rely, somewhat, on a standardized format (as required by Medicare) that some may find restrictive.

I chose to become a counsellor so as to be in the best position to be receptive to my clients/patients. I have worked in the people profession for over a decade and I recognise that the quality of care I can provide is based in quality of relationships. Counselling is a healing experience and one that I am keen to share with you. If I were to choose one thing to recommend myself to others it would be the fact that I care. I care deeply about the people who work with me and I care deeply about people who are in need. Worry and fear do not inoculate us from pain, but together we can make a plan for a better tomorrow.