No referral is needed to see a counsellor at Affinity Counselling. You can book a session directly without going through your GP. This gives you more flexibility and privacy while getting support when you need it. Even easier, you can book your session easily online if you choose and see all current available times.

Psychologists often focus on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Counsellors, like me, support everyday people through relationship issues, low self-esteem, anxiety, and life challenges without needing a diagnosis or medical label. It’s practical, down-to-earth support.

Marriage counselling is a safe and supportive space where couples can work through challenges, improve communication, and rebuild connection. At Affinity Counselling in the Hills District, I help couples identify the root cause of their issues and develop practical tools to move forward together.

My job is to help you understand why you are having the issues you are experiencing in your relationship. Then to give you the tools and support you as you practise them to get the healthy relationship you want. You will learn about you, your relationship and you might have some fun along the way.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, or just not yourself, individual counselling can help. I work with clients across the Hills District who want to feel more confident, improve relationships, and gain clarity about their life. If you aren’t in the Hills District and would like to work with me, online sessions are available and typcially just as effective.

Absolutely. Many clients come to Affinity Counselling for help with low confidence, overthinking, and stress. Together, we work on building self-worth and learning tools to manage anxious thoughts and emotions in everyday life.

Sessions are private and focused on your goals as a couple.

In couples counselling sessions I will ask direct questions to learn about each of you and your relationship. At the end of the session I will give you a concise summary of what areas we can focus on to get the change you are after. In future sessions, we will focus on a specific area, learn skills and unravel the issues. It is very interactive and I will guide the conversation, offer feedback, and help both partners feel heard. You’ll gain new tools to communicate, manage conflict, and rebuild trust.

For individual sessions, we work with whatever you want to work with. There are no rules – we go at your speed and the direction you want to go. I will still help you to learn you and learn new skills to help you get the change you want.

Individuals work with me in whatever capacity and timing they feel fits for them. That can mean scheduled weekly sessions right through to a session as needed over the years. Individuals decide what works for them best and I will work with that.

For couples work, I prefer if couples commit to couples counselling sessions fortnightly as this has shown to be the most effective timing over the years of working with couples. As we make progress, I will suggest we increase the intervals between sessions. For marriage counselling, my goal is to work towards you not needing couples counselling. My goal is to get you a healthy relationship and work myself out of a job with you!

For most couples, this can be anywhere between 6 sessions to regular work over many months. It largely depends on where you start from, how dedicated you are to the process and what is happening in life at the time. No judgement here – life happens.

Yes everything we discuss in a counselling session remains confidential unless I am  subpoenaed by a court, or there is a minor or elder in danger, or I believe you are a threat to yourself or someone in which case I need to report this to the appropriate person.

Usually, everything we speak about stays within the counselling room. It is a very safe space to be honest and vulnerable with no judgement.

I have been actively working as a counsellor for 15 years. I specialise in marriage counselling and self-esteem and have practised in these areas for over a decade. Relationship counselling requires a counsellor trained and practised in this area to get the best results.

It is a very niche area that requires both direct training and experiences. 

I see clients Monday to Thursday from 6am. The last session of the day is 2pm.

Yes it’s an early start but a lot of people enjoy this time as an effective start to the day! Many of my clients find it easier to start the day with a counselling session rather than rushing at the end of the day.

I don’t offer any later appointments and no longer provide sessions on the weekends.

Yes. While I work primarily with clients in Baulkham Hills, Norwest, Castle Hill, and Kellyville, I also offer online counselling for clients across Sydney and Australia. You can access support no matter where you’re located. In fact, I have some lovely clients I work with regularly from around the globe. 

Couples work often benefits from working with each partner separately as an individual at times. The expectation in this situation is that both parties whilst attending individual sessions will be focused on making positive changes for the good of the relationship.

 If at any time one party indicates that they are involved in an extra marital affair or intend to leave the relationship, the relationship counselling will cease from that point as it will become a conflict of interest. 

If at any point during the relationship counselling it is determined by me that there is a conflict of interest, I may cease providing counselling services to you immediately. Any such determination of conflict may be made by me at my sole discretion.

Individual work can be incredibly helpful within the framework of couples counselling but the goal will always remain to create a healthy relationship overall.

I have worked with many couples in this capacity and it can be really safe and effective way to get the change needed for a healthy relationship whilst providing individual support.

Sessions run for a full hour. Sessions can’t be extended as other clients will be waiting for their session (whether in person or on Zoom). I allow time between each session so that we can conclude naturally.

You can book directly through the Affinity Counselling website. If you’re based in the Hills District including Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Norwest, or surrounding suburbs I’m here to help when you’re ready in a face to face session. If you are not in the local area or just prefer to work online, their is an option to select a counselling session via Zoom.

Counselling sessions aren’t covered by Medicare, as rebates are currently only available for psychologists and mental health care plans. That said, there are some real advantages to working with a counsellor.

With counselling, there’s no need for a referral from a GP, no diagnosis required, and no record on your Medicare history. This means you can access support privately, without needing to go through the medical system.

Many people appreciate this extra level of privacy and flexibility. You can simply book when you’re ready and focus on what matters to you, without feeling labelled or limited by a diagnosis.

While Medicare rebates may not apply, my session fees are still more affordable than many psychologists with the same level of experience. With over 15 years in practice and more than 10,000 hours of counselling, I offer professional, personalised support that’s accessible and focused on real-life change.