Frequently asked questions

What are your fees?

  • Counselling - $110 per one-hour session.

  • Supervision - $110 per one-hour session.

I am a new client. How do I book my first session?

  • Click on the BOOK NOW button and select a date and time convenient for you.

  • You will receive an automated email with the Google Meet link (all first sessions are online only).

  • Within 24 hours, you will receive an email from Purposeful Wellbeing with our Intake Form to be completed, and a tax invoice to make payment via EFT or credit card (surcharge applies).

  • Once payment is received and the intake form has been returned, your first appointment is now officially confirmed.

  • For both new and returning clients, a reminder text is sent 48 hours prior to the appointment, and upon receipt of that reminder, please advise if you need to reschedule. If we do not hear from you, the appointment is assumed to be confirmed.

How do I book subsequent sessions?

We can discuss a mutually agreeable time for any additional appointments at the conclusion of your first session, and I can reserve those dates and times on your behalf.

Alternatively, you may prefer the convenience of using the BOOK NOW option to make the next booking yourself.

Please note that RETURNING clients are not required to pay upfront, and instead are invoiced after each session.

Depending on location, returning clients may have the option to attend their sessions in person if preferred, or online if that is more convenient.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellations:

Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will be charged the full fee, as the space cannot be filled at such short notice. Exceptions due to unexpected circumstances, such as illness, will be taken into consideration on a case-by-case basis.

Rescheduling:

A reminder text is sent 48 hours prior to the appointment time, and the appointment is assumed to be confirmed unless you advise within 24 hours of receiving the reminder that you need to reschedule.

No-shows:

If you fail to turn up for your confirmed appointment, you will be charged the full fee as the space cannot be filled at such short notice. Any outstanding fees need to be paid before a new appointment can be made.

Are sessions confidential?

Yes, absolutely! There are only 3 instances where confidentiality may be broken and they are:

  • Risk of Harm:

To the client: If a counsellor believes a client is at serious and foreseeable risk of harming themselves (e.g., suicidal thoughts or actions), they may need to break confidentiality to ensure the client's safety. 

To others: Similarly, if a client discloses plans to harm another person, the counsellor has a duty to warn the potential victim and/or notify authorities. 

  • Mandated Reporting:

    Counsellors are legally obligated to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the relevant authorities. 

  • Court Orders and Subpoenas

    If a court orders the release of client information or issues a subpoena for counselling records, the counsellor must comply. 

How many sessions will I need?

It is entirely up to you. The number of sessions is not something to be too concerned about on the first visit. Counselling (or supervision) is collaborative, and I will check in with you regularly to ensure we are on track with what you feel you need. You decide when you feel ready to complete your sessions.

Can I get a Medicare rebate?

Counselling with a registered counsellor (ACA or PACFA member) isn’t currently covered under Medicare, but there are benefits to this.

  • No need for a mental health care plan

  • Nothing is recorded on your permanent health record

  • Therapeutic modalities can be tailored to what works best for you

  • No limit to the number of sessions you can choose to have

  • Counsellor fees are inline (or often lower) than typical gap fees if seeing a psychologst

Some private health funds (e.g. Bupa, Teachers’ Health Fund, Medibank & HCF) may offer partial rebates for seeing a counsellor— check with your provider if you have this available under your ‘Extras’ Policy.

Should I see a Counsellor, a Psychologist, or a Psychiatrist?

Counsellors support people with personal growth, emotional and mental wellbeing, and all sorts of personal issues.

The title “counsellor” is not yet government-regulated, making it especially important for you, the client, to choose an ethical counsellor who is registered with a professional body such as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). I am a Level 2 registered counsellor with ACA and, as such, uphold professional training standards, ethics, and ongoing professional development.

Psychologists often work closely with GPs or psychiatrists. They can diagnose mental health conditions and are therefore better suited to a client seeking a diagnosis. A clinical psychologist has additional training to provide psychometric testing and write formal reports. While they don’t prescribe medication, psychologists tend to support people with very complex personal needs, severe mental health issues, and can provide Medicare-funded therapy.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in mental illness and can prescribe medication.

What about my privacy?

Purposeful Wellbeing is committed to providing quality services and respecting your rights. This statement outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect to how we manage your Personal Information. Purposeful Wellbeing complies with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Code of Conduct for Certain Health Care Workers (Community Services Complaints Regulations 2019).

Personal Information is information which identifies an individual directly or indirectly. Examples of Personal Information we collect include: name, phone number, email address, residential address, age, and emergency contact. The sharing of Personal Information by a client to Purposeful Wellbeing, whether in writing or verbally, is to assist us in assessing and supporting the client during the counselling process. We will only request and retain Personal Information that is necessary to the service we are providing.

We collect your personal information via our website, intake form, information you share with us verbally, correspondence by email, letter or SMS, and from third-party referrals (with your consent). In order for Purposeful Wellbeing to provide a relevant and informed service, and due to our duty of care, our clients cannot be anonymous. We will also require the contact details of your chosen emergency contact.

The security of your personal information is important to us, but no method of transmission over the internet, or method of physical or electronic storage, is 100% secure and thus we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

We choose to store intake forms separately from de-identified client files, which are kept securely in an offline (non-digital) location. We utilise confidential written records as opposed to digital records, as we believe they offer the best protection to your privacy.

The use and storage of private information will be respected in line with the Australian Privacy Principles stated in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and kept securely for seven years. We will not disclose personal information about you to third parties without your consent, except when the disclosure is to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of you or another person; when required by law for mandatory reporting; or if we receive a court subpoena.

You may access the personal information we hold about you. We will not charge any fee for your access request, but we may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your information.

If you have any questions related to privacy matters, please contact us by email.

Do you offer crisis support?

No, if you require crisis support, please contact one of the services listed below:

I HAVE A DIFFERENT QUESTION