You've probably come here because something's bothering you.

Yes. Research consistently shows counselling and therapy lead to real, meaningful improvement for most people - though outcomes depend a lot on the fit between client and therapist, and on your own engagement in the process. It's not magic, but it works.

Standard sessions run for 50 minutes and cost $150. You don't need a referral or Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, and because we won't be claiming through Medicare, this won't be linked to your Medicare or GP records the way a psychologist referral would be. You won't be able to claim on Medicare, but the out-of-pocket cost is typically the same as, or less than, seeing a psychologist. Some private health funds offer partial rebates.

It will be good to hear what led you to get in touch. In addition, we will cover how we might work together and topics like confidentiality and privacy. I'll definitely make sure there's time to address any questions you might have.

Usually we start by meeting weekly - it helps to get momentum. Some clients move to less frequent sessions later, and we can discuss that whenever either of us thinks it makes sense. There is no fixed number of sessions — the time needed depends on what brings you to therapy and what you want to achieve. We'll put in structured review points to see how we're travelling together.

I work with individuals over the age of 18. I don't work with couples.

I recognise that lots of people have busy lives and also that it is best to find a time when you will not be in a rush both before and after a session. We will try and work out a time that works for both of us.

Yes, with the exception of some rare and specific situations - serious risk of harm to yourself or others, risk of harm to a child or vulnerable person, a court subpoena or legal requirement, or a request from you to share information with another professional. If any of these situations arise, I will always try to discuss it with you first, unless doing so would increase risk.

Counselling and psychotherapy are often used interchangeably, although counselling is typically a shorter engagement, often focused on a specific issue. Psychotherapy tends to go a bit deeper - the relationship is usually longer, and more about looking at how someone is in the world, what happened to them, and how they adapted. Psychology is a broad professional field that includes assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. Some psychologists are also trained in counselling and psychotherapy. I have a Masters in Psychology (and Counselling and Psychotherapy), but I didn't specialise in Clinical Psychology and don't practise as a psychologist.