‘Many survivors insist they’re not courageous: ‘If I were courageous I would have stopped the abuse.’ ‘If I were courageous, I wouldn’t be scared’… Most of us have it mixed up. You don’t start with courage and then face fear. You become courageous because you face your fear.’
—Laura Davis
On counselling…
What is counselling?
Counselling is like a car service or repair, but for our lives. Is your steering a bit offline or your destination unclear? Are you lacking drive? Is your marriage starting to overheat? Maybe you just had some kind of crash and are picking up the pieces, wondering how they’re meant to go back together? Counselling can provide us with the support we need in our most difficult times, to work through our challenges, build up our resilience and strength, and get us up and going again.
Are sessions confidential?
Yes! Counsellors, like other health professionals, are bound by strict codes of ethics and guidelines around privacy and confidentiality. Everything I do here at Sanctuary Therapy Services is in line with the Australian Government’s Privacy Act, the Australian Counselling Association’s Code of Ethics, and my own personal values of integrity and caring well for my clients. Everything we talk about in sessions is just between you and me. The only exceptions are in the case of a subpoena, or mandatory reporting if I believe that someone could be in danger of harm.
Is my information kept private?
Yes! Storage of your personal information is also covered by Australian legislation. If you want to know more about your rights and how they relate to counselling with me, check out my privacy policy (which is also emailed to you when you book a session).
How many sessions does counselling take?
It depends on your goals. Many counselling approaches recommend at least six sessions over time to see growth, especially if the challenges you’re dealing with are significant. However, some people find even just one or two sessions is helpful. Just keep in mind that your first session usually is mostly about getting to know you and your situation. We can discuss this during your sessions, and you are of course able to discontinue sessions whenever you like.
How often are sessions?
Again, it depends. If we are working through an intense issue together (e.g. relationship betrayal or high anxiety) or if you have just experienced a crisis (such as losing a loved one), then it may be valuable to meet once a week. Once the crisis becomes less overwhelming, you may like to move your sessions to once a fortnight or once a month, until you are ready to move forward on your own again.
What if I can’t attend a session?
Payment is required before attending your session. If you need to cancel or reschedule your session:
- More than 48hrs before your session, there is no charge.
- Less than 48hrs before a session, a cancellation fee of 50% will be charged.
I do understand that sometimes there are extenuating circumstances, and I apply grace where I feel it is appropriate.
Do you provide crisis counselling out of hours?
No, I cannot be available for out of hours crisis counselling. If you need immediate help, please contact the free 24-hour counselling service Lifeline on 131 114.
Can I claim a rebate from my health fund?
At present, clients are able to claim a rebate if their health fund is BUPA.
Telehealth Qs
What technology do I need for Telehealth?
For videoconferencing, all you need is a screen connected to the internet. When you book your session you will receive a link for your private session using Psychology Today’s Sessions platform. Just click the link when it’s time for your session.
If you prefer phone counselling, provide your phone number and the counsellor will call at your scheduled session time.
What if my internet drops out?
Please do your best to have as reliable a connection as you can for your session, because it’s much easier to engage without disruptions. However, I do understand that sometimes even the best tech in the world fails and there isn’t much we can do about it. If videoconferencing isn’t available, phone counselling is often a viable option, otherwise it may be necessary to reschedule.
