Frequently Asked Questions

What is counselling?

Counselling is a talk-based therapy that involves a safe and confidential collaboration between qualified practitioners and clients to promote mental health and wellbeing, enhance self-understanding, and resolve identified concerns. You, as the client, will have the chance to discuss your goals and any issues that are standing in your way. Together we will figure out a way forward. There are a large variety of techniques used in counselling. While my expertise is in mindfulness-focussed approaches, I also draw on a range of other techniques and interventions to provide you with flexible support that meets your preferences and needs.

Is mindfulness-focused counselling right for me?

Learning to work more skilfully with our attention is deeply rewarding and becomes more fulfilling and transformative the more you work at it. While the practices are never mandatory, this style of counselling can best suit those who are able to carve out some time in their daily schedule to learn and practise with the techniques and strategies on offer. Aiming to set aside 10 to 20 minutes on most days of the week will help you maximise the benefits. This can be challenging initially and requires you to bring a level of patience and determination to your efforts – and self-compassion when life gets in the way and things don’t go to plan.

Mindfulness-based counselling invites clients to try new skills and open themselves up to new (sometimes counter-intuitive) perspectives. It also asks people to get more curious about their present moment experience and sometimes involves moving outside their comfort zones. If you decide you’re up for the challenge, you will be met with warmth, understanding and lots of encouragement. This is therapy, not bootcamp! I will also provide you with helpful resources, including guided audio meditations, to support your learning and practice.

What is Unified Mindfulness?

Unified Mindfulness is a system of meditation, designed by Shinzen Young, that’s easily researchable by science with clear terminology and precision around concepts and procedures. It teaches you new ways of noticing and relating to your sensory experiences, whether they are inner experiences (mental talk, mental images, emotional sensations) or what you see, hear and feel as you take in the external world. Standard techniques include: See, Hear, Feel; Focus on Rest; Focus on Flow; and Feel Good. Strategies include formal seated practices of 10 minutes or more; practising in motion and during regular activities; and designing your own 'micro-hits' (as short as 30 seconds) that can be peppered into your everyday life.

The Unified Mindfulness system is used by leading institutions like Harvard and Carnegie Mellon for their research on meditation. It is a secular form of meditation, which means it’s not religious in any way, so anyone, of any faith, can do it. further information about Unified Mindfulness can be found here.

How long is each session?

I offer different session lengths, depending on what you wish to focus on and how much time you have available:

60 minutes for mindfulness coaching
30 minutes for express mindfulness coaching (a shorter, focused check-in or skills session)
60 minutes for a standard counselling session
90 minutes for a combined session that blends counselling with formal mindfulness training

What are express mindfulness sessions?

Express sessions are 30-minute coaching sessions designed to be practical and focused. They’re a good fit for people with limited time, those seeking a skills refresh, or anyone who wants gentle momentum without a big time commitment.
You’ll still receive personalised support, guided practice, and helpful resources — just in a more compact format.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions is entirely up to you. I am comfortable working in a variety of ways to best suit your needs. Some people seek just a few sessions to help them work through a tricky issue or decision. Others want to take time to explore issues in depth and have support while they translate insight into action in their daily lives.

If you are new to mindfulness and are hoping to establish and integrate a new practice into your daily life, 8 to 10 sessions are recommended but not essential. This would allow you to explore a rich range of techniques and gain a level of mastery with them, while receiving support around the early pitfalls and challenges in building a new habit.

How regularly would we meet?

The tempo is up to you.

Are you registered with a professional body?

Yes. I am registered with the Australian Counselling Association and the Australian Meditation Association and am bound by the codes of ethics for both bodies. I am also fully insured.

What is confidentiality in counselling?

For you to feel comfortable in our sessions, it’s important that you feel safe to talk freely. I will keep your confidentiality within the legal limits and will explain this more in our client agreement and in person.

How is a counsellor different to a psychologist?

Although there are many similarities, counsellors tend to take a more person-centred approach with a focus on working towards goals, finding insight, and managing the obstacles to living a rich and fulfilling life. Psychologists are often more focused on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of complex mental health issues – things such as eating disorders, PTSD, and personality disorders.

How do I pay for my sessions?

You can pay online via credit card or PayPal. You can also pay by direct electronic funds transfer.

Do you offer discounts for pre-paid packages?

For those interested in mindfulness coaching, I offer discount options for pre-paid packages of 3, 6 or 10 sessions. At this time, I do not offer package options for counselling services.

Do I need a referral from my GP?

No referrals are needed. Counselling services do not currently form part of Medicare rebated mental health plans, so no doctor’s referral is required to see me.

What about Medicare rebates?

At the moment, counsellors are not eligible for Medicare rebates. However, counselling can be very cost effective when compared to some other private mental health services.

What is your Cancellation Policy?

I require a minimum of 24 hours' notice should you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment. Cancellations made within 24 hours of an appointment may incur a fee equivalent to 50% of the full session fee. Cancellations made within 4 hours of an appointment, or not arriving for a scheduled appointment may incur the full fee.

What is your Privacy Policy?

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