Frequently Asked Questions

No. You are welcome to contact me directly without a referral. If you are wanting to access a Medicare rebate you will require a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP or a referral from a Psychiatrist/Paediatrician.

That is a perfectly valid starting point. You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis or a clear explanation of what is wrong. Part of the process is working that out together. Assessment and understanding come first, and everything moves at a pace that suits you.

Not at all. Many people seek psychological support for everyday difficulties such as stress, relationship strain, grief, or simply feeling stuck. Mental health exists on a spectrum, and reaching out early is one of the most effective things you can do for your wellbeing. Seeking help is a sign of self-awareness, not weakness.

That kind of independence and resilience is something to be valued. A clinical psychologist's role is not to tell you what to do, but to work alongside you, drawing on your own strengths to support your recovery. Even capable, resourceful people can benefit from professional support.

There are no rules about frequency of sessions. It depends on what your goals are, your level of need, your budget and your availability of time. The gap between sessions can be important for consolidation and reflection. Regular sessions can provide good traction and allow us to work deeper, rather than ‘catching up’ on events in your life. Therapy can be episodic – where you might have a series of regular sessions, then a break. We can discuss and plan frequency together as we go along.

Mental health symptoms can be subtle, and when they have been present for a long time, they can feel like simply "the way things are." Some common signs include: Changes in sleep or appetite Persistent low mood, anxiety, or irritability Difficulty concentrating or making decisions Withdrawing from people or activities you used to enjoy Feeling hopeless, overwhelmed, or emotionally numb Physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, or unexplained aches Increased use of alcohol or other substances Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or experiences that feel difficult to explain If any of these feel familiar, it is worth having a conversation.

Anxiety can be very normal for the first session (and sometimes every session). You are meeting a new person, and you are likely to be working through some difficult issues. I will support you to feel comfortable and safe in the session and it is okay to let me know what might help you to be more comfortable. In the first session we will get to know each other, and I will ask you about your goals (if you know) and about your background. You don’t need to talk about anything that you are not ready to talk about. You don’t need to prepare for the session, but it can help to make sure you support yourself with the practical parts of getting to therapy – i.e., arrive on time, know how to get to the clinic (or how to log on for Telehealth), give yourself some time beforehand to tune into your body and your feelings.

You are welcome to bring a support person with you, and we can discuss whether you want them in session with you (for all or part of the session), or whether you just want them to wait in the wait area. If you want them to come into session, please be mindful of the impact on your confidentiality. If you need to look after children or a baby, it could distract you from your therapy, and it could be distressing for them to be with you when you are distressed. If you do not have alternative care, please do not hesitate to discuss options with me. It can be okay for children to join in the room with you, but there is no safe space for young children to wait unsupervised.

I always invite and welcome feedback and discussion about the way we are working together. The match between therapist and client is very important and if you don’t feel held and understood, therapy will not be very useful for you. In that situation we can discuss alternative options. If you find it hard to talk directly with me, you can ask someone to support you with the conversation. Even with a good therapist-client match, there are many ways we can work together, so these are very important ongoing conversations.

It is helpful to discuss with me if you are ready to stop or take a break from therapy, so I understand that you are okay, whether to contact you in the future, and so I can provide an accurate update to your referrer. Sometimes coming to a ‘final’ session can be helpful so we can consolidate your work and say goodbye (even if it’s only temporary). If you don’t want another session, you can also let me know by email or text. If you drop off without contact, I will follow up to make sure you are okay, and so you know you are held in mind. Regardless of the ending, you are always welcome to come back at any point in the future.