Counselling FAQs

I generally see people aged 15 years old and over. Young people over 12 years of age will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Neuro-affirming counselling starts from the position that neurological difference, such as Autism, ADHD, and other forms of neurodivergence) is a natural part of human variation, not a problem to be fixed.

Rather than focusing on making a neurodivergent person fit more neatly into neurotypical expectations, neuro-affirming counselling takes the view that many of the difficulties neurodivergent people experience arise from the mismatch between how they’re wired and a world that wasn’t designed with them in mind. The goal isn’t to change who you are, it’s to support you in understanding yourself, building a life that genuinely fits you, and shedding some of the weight of years spent adapting to environments that weren’t built for your brain.

In practice, this means there is no pressure to perform, mask, or present yourself in any particular way in our sessions. You are the expert on your own experience. My role is to follow your lead.

No. A formal diagnosis is not required to access counselling with me.

Many of my clients are self-identifying. They’ve arrived at a clear understanding of their own neurodivergence through their own research. That knowledge is valid, and your experience is real, regardless of whether it’s been confirmed by a clinician.

If you are waiting for an assessment, you don’t have to wait to access support. If you’re already struggling, we can start working on what’s hard right now, with or without a diagnosis in hand.

I also work with people who are earlier in that process, wondering if neurodivergence might be part of their picture, and wanting a space to explore that at their own pace.

My formal qualifications are a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology, a Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary), and a Master of Counselling.

I am a Level 2 registered member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), one of Australia’s peak professional bodies for counsellors. ACA membership at this level requires postgraduate qualifications, regular clinical supervision, and a commitment to ongoing professional development. All ACA members are bound by the ACA Code of Ethics and Practice.

I hold a current Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration, as required to work with clients under 18 in the ACT.

Although I hold a psychology degree, I am not a registered psychologist. The title “psychologist” is legally protected in Australia and requires registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA). For more on the difference between counsellors, psychologists, and psychiatrists, see the question below.

This a question that many people have so here is a quick explanation. In fact there are other types of mental health practitioners too but let’s stick with these.

Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialised in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. They can prescribe medications.

Psychologist

There are different specialities within psychology but here we are concerned with psychologists who diagnose and treat mental health conditions. They are not medical doctors but have studied the human mind and behaviour for several years at undergraduate and postgraduate level. They generally work within the ‘medical model’ of mental health care.

Counsellor and Psychotherapist

While there are different definitions for counsellor and psychotherapist, there is also a lot of overlap. Essentially they both mental health therapists who tend to work holistically, looking at the whole person and the systems in which they live. These titles are not currently regulated so look for professionals who are registered with accrediting bodies such as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). To be a member of these organisations, practitioners must have appropriate education and training, and participate in ongoing professional development and clinical supervision. I am a member of the ACA.

Yes. I offer counselling via telehealth to clients anywhere in Australia. All you need is a stable internet connection and a private space where you feel comfortable talking.

I see in-person clients at my practice in Turner, Canberra’s Inner North. Telehealth clients can be located anywhere in the country.

Yes, absolutely except for some very specific circumstances (see below). EAP clients can be assured that I do not disclose anything about your sessions with your employer.

Confidentiality and your privacy are central to the process of counselling and I am bound by a strict code of confidentiality. Your information will not be released to any other party except in the following circumstances (limits of confidentiality):

1. You consent to or request disclosure, for example to another health practitioner;
2. It is subpoenaed or required by law by a court;
3. Failure to disclose would place you or another person at risk;
4. A child has been harmed.

In addition, I undertake regular professional supervision in which your case may be discussed but this will be done in a de-identified way and all practitioners present are also bound by confidentiality.

Before your first session, you’ll receive some intake paperwork to complete which covers the practical groundwork so we can spend our time together actually talking.

At the start of the session, I’ll briefly revisit confidentiality with you (what it means, and where the limits are) then we get into it.

I’ll typically open with something simple: “Tell me what has brought you to counselling at this point.” From there, I follow your lead. There’s no checklist, no structured interview, no pressure to cover particular ground. You bring what feels most important, and we go from there.

The first session is exploratory. I’ll listen, ask questions, and try to understand not just what’s brought you in, but who you are, your life, your context, what’s helped you in the past. Counselling looks at you as a whole person in the context of your life, not just the difficulty or symptoms you’ve arrived with.

Goals don’t need to be clear yet. In my experience, what someone most needs often only becomes apparent once we’ve had time to explore. Most people find the first session feels more like a conversation than an appointment – that’s intentional.

It is impossible to tell how many sessions you will need. A single presenting issue might be resolved within just a few sessions but many people find that other things come up in the process of therapy and will continue on. Some people find that they continue with counselling for months or years, even coming back time and again over the course of decades. You are in control of how long you would like your therapy to continue and the more active you are in the process, the more effective it will be.

I do recommend in most cases that you commit to attending six sessions. This gives us enough time to establish a good working relationship, really understand what’s going on and for the work to evolve. We can meet weekly or fortnightly for an hour.

After the sixth session, we can review how it’s going and decide together if more sessions would be helpful or if you have achieved what you wanted for now.

Yes. I accept NDIS self-managed and plan-managed clients.

Counselling with me falls under the following NDIS support line:
Improved Daily Living Skills — Individual Counselling
Support Item: 15_043_0128_1_3

If you are plan-managed, I will invoice your plan manager directly – you won’t need to handle the payment yourself. If you are self-managed, I will provide you with an invoice to submit for reimbursement.

If you’re unsure whether your current NDIS plan includes funding for counselling, your plan manager or support coordinator will be able to check this for you.

Agency-managed clients are not able to access my services at this time, as I am not a registered NDIS provider.

My fee is $145 for a 60-minute session.

I offer a free 15-minute initial consultation by phone or video before your first appointment. this is a chance for us to have a brief conversation before you commit to anything, to get a sense of whether we’re a good fit.

Medicare does not cover counsellin so Mental Health Care Plan rebates don’t apply to sessions with me. If you specifically need a Medicare-rebatable service, your GP can refer you to a registered psychologist or mental health social worker.

It’s worth knowing that a standard psychology session in Canberra typically costs $250-$320. With a Medicare Mental Health Care Plan, clients receive a partial rebate, leaving an out-of-pocket gap of $100-$200 or more per session, for a maximum of 10 rebated sessions per calendar year. After that, the full fee applies.

Counselling with me is not Medicare-rebatable, but at $145 per session with no cap on the number of sessions, many people find it a more accessible and flexible option, particularly if they don’t meet the threshold for a Medicare mental health referral, are on a waiting list, have already used their annual allocation, or simply want a higher level of privacy.

I am not currently registered with any private health insurance funds.

NDIS clients – see the question above.

Payment is due at the time of your session by direct bank transfer or debit/credit card.

No referrals are needed. Counselling does not fall under Medicare rebated mental health plans as yet and therefore no doctor’s referral is required to see me. Despite no Medicare rebate, counselling is a cost-effective mental health service due to overall lower fees.

I ask for a minimum of 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Cancellations made within 24 hours, or appointments not attended without notice, will incur the full session fee. I understand that life (and sometimes a neurodivergent brain) doesn’t always cooperate with plans, and I will always try to work with you where I can. If something has come up, please reach out as early as possible.

To make an appointment, you can book a free 15-minute consultation via the button at the bottom of this page or reach out through the contact form. I have a brief conversation with every new client before we schedule a first session. This is important to make sure I am the right counsellor for you, and it gives you a chance to ask any questions before committing.

If you have a question that has not been answered above, I’m happy to help. Send me a message via the contact form below.