There are several forms of therapy available. This includes counselling, psychotherapy, psychology and psychiatry. 

Counsellors assist people to identify and define their emotional issues and help them better understand themselves by explaining options, setting goals, providing therapy, and helping them to take action. 

Psychotherapists are similar, but will often explore the history of the person to determine how any unwanted behaviour or thoughts eventuated. 

Psychologists study human behaviour and the processes involved in how people think and feel. They conduct research and provide treatment and counselling in order to reduce distress and behavioural and psychological problems, and promote mental health and positive behaviour in individuals and groups. Psychologists work on a broad range of issues with clients, including children, adults, couples, families, and organisations. They are university educated and their services may attract a medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions if you have been referred under a mental health care plan. 

Psychiatrists diagnose, treat and try to prevent human mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders. Unlike counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists, psychiatrists have a medical degree and the authority to prescribe medicines. Psychiatrists can only be seen on referral from a GP, while all others can be seen without a referral. Psychiatrists and Psychologists also typically charge much higher fees than the other professions.

Counselling involves creating a safe, non-judgemental counselling environment that allows the client to resolve his or her own problems, without direct intervention by the counsellor. This concept underpins most modern counselling approaches. Counsellors believe that the client is the best person to understand what the issues are and how they may be resolved. The counsellor is there to facilitate this process to help the client get a better understanding of their issues and help develop goals and plans to achieve their desired outcome.

Most people find counselling to be extremely beneficial for a wide range of issues and problems that have arisen in their lives. The found it has provided clarity and direction by giving them a sense of empowerment over their life.

The number of sessions is completely up to you. Some people may need help with a specific issue, such as dealing with anxiety due to an upcoming presentation. Two or three sessions may be all that’s needed and once the presentation is over, counselling may no longer be required. However, other people may have deeper issues and require a higher number of sessions. Effectively, you the client can decide to continue or cease counselling at your own discretion, depending on your needs.

This is something that is generally discussed in the first session. Typically, weekly sessions are advised in the early stages. However, once again, depending on your needs and the issues, session frequency can be fortnightly or monthly.

All session are one hour long and will cost $110. However, there is a discount for Pensioners, Health Care card holders and student with the price being $90. The first session is typically free and is used for information gathering and to get a background of the issue. All subsequent payments are to be made prior to the session taking place. All major credit cards are accepted.

Unfortunately there is no medicare or private health rebate for counselling services. However, associated professional societies are currently negotiating with private health funds to have counselling accepted for rebates.