All counselling sessions are either by Zoom video or phone, depending on your preference.
Remote sessions are generally as effective and very similar to face to face sessions except you get to be wherever is comfortable and convenient for you.
- Phone and Zoom sessions- $100
- Saturday mornings. Please email for an appointment on a Saturday. Fees for all sessions on Saturday are $150.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the right counsellor?
Finding the right counsellor can be intimidating. Three things I recommend to friends to look for when choosing a counsellor are:
- do they have the qualifications?
- do they have experience in the area you need? Avoid a generalist who says they work with everything. Be aware that education is great but practising in the field is just as important. Ask how long they have been counselling in that field.
- do they seem like a good fit for you after the first session?
I work in a couple of niche areas that I have practised in for over 10 years. I am a specialist in these areas and you benefit from that experience.
Is remote counselling as effective as face to face counselling?
The short answer is ‘Yes’. For most people there is no difference in the quality of the counselling service or the benefit they get from it, when they attend via video or phone. Other benefits that you get from remote counselling are the cost effectiveness, the ability to access counselling from anywhere and for parents, no babysitting is needed. Overall it is a great way to access counselling.
How do I access the Zoom session?
After you book your appointment, you will receive an email with a Zoom invite. Make sure you have loaded the Zoom app on your phone, device or computer. At the time of the appointment, simply click on the link in the email invite to access the session. I will see you online in our confidential session.
What sort of problems does a counsellor deal with?
Counsellors are professionals trained to work with normal people with everyday problems or issues, including relationship problems. There is no problem too small or too embarrassing. If it is an issue to you and you would like some help, then counselling, with the right person, can usually provide that.
How long is a counselling session?
Standard sessions are 1 hour.
How many sessions are usually required?
As an individual, the number of sessions and period they are over, can vary greatly. We will discuss this together during your first session to find the right fit for you. Some people will attend a couple of sessions and feel they have achieved their goals. Others will use counselling as an ongoing service as part of normal life.
For couples, after many years of specialising in couples counselling, I have found that fortnightly sessions at the start, are by far the most effective way of getting real change. Typically I would expect that 6 sessions, scheduled once a fortnight, will help achieve many positive changes in a relationship. For some couples this will be enough, for others who have been in a lot of relationship pain, we may continue counselling sessions for some time longer.
To ensure your relationship remains a priority, after the first session, I suggest that couples schedule in the next 5 sessions. Scheduling them helps to keep the relationship work a priority. Some couples have one or two sessions, feel some relief and put their relationship on the backburner. This is really ineffective and the changes made in the first two sessions rarely last in this situation. Couples who do this will likely be back to see me again within the year, back in the same negative space they started in.
Is the session confidential?
Yes. Everything we talk about during counselling is completely private and confidential. All records are kept in a locked cabinet and coded for security. Your details will not be released to anyone else unless a referral is needed to another service and you agree to this. The only exceptions to this are legal requirements which mean that if I believe you are an immediate danger to yourself or someone else, then the appropriate authorities need to be notified for your safety. Please contact me if you would like more information about this.
How long does it take to get an appointment?
I try wherever possible to meet with you within a week. Some counselling services make clients book the same space each week for a set period, ensuring their books are full. It means there is a wait time for new clients and a financial commitment for clients booked in. I don’t believe in this system and allow clients to make their own choices about when to attend which means I am not completely booked by people not necessarily needing my help in that moment.
Are after hours appointments available?
I offer early morning counselling sessions which are really effective for people to get on with their day. Some evenings are also available and limited Saturday morning appointments.
What can I expect at the counselling session?
Find somewhere comfortable to chat. My regular clients attend their sessions from their lounge room, backyard, work office and quite often, in their car. Many of my tradie clients will book a phone session for the drive home!
The first session we spend a little time discussing the counselling process and learning what it is that is happening for you. We also talk about what you would like to achieve from counselling. From there we work together to set goals and work out ways to achieve this.
Often we will work out a process of home tasks for you to work on to achieve these changes and at each following session we continue on, reviewing the progress you feel you are making and working further towards your goals.
You can talk to me about anything you want to and there is no judgement on your lifestyle and decisions. It is your life and your choice to set the goals you want to achieve. My role is to help you clarify your issues, put in place strategies with you to achieve your goals and to provide support and direction to help you make the changes you want to make.
At every session we will also review together whether you need to attend more sessions and the timing between sessions.
What payment methods do you offer?
Payment is via Paypal when booking online or direct deposit if you email me for an appointment.
Do you charge a cancellation fee?
Appointments can be rescheduled at any time prior to the 24 hours before the appointment. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours of an appointment will incur the full fee.
Can I get a medicare rebate for counselling?
No. For Medicare purposes, a Mental Health Care Plan for a diagnosed mental health issue is required from a GP and covers limited sessions with a clinical or registered psychologist for a partial rebate. For counselling you don’t require a referral and there is no mental health diagnosis recorded. The fees for counselling with Affinity Counselling are exceptional value for money with a really experienced counsellor.
If I have not answered your questions here, please give me a call or email me and I will be happy to get back to you with the information you require. Emails I will respond to within the day. Phone calls will take a little longer to return if I am in sessions.
Are you ready to take the first step to changing your life?
Click the Book Online button below to find my first available appointment and make an online booking