Common Questions
What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a collaborative treatment approach involving a licensed mental health professional and a client. It is designed to help individuals address emotional difficulties and mental health challenges, focusing on personal growth and improved well-being through various therapeutic techniques.
Do I need a diagnosis to attend therapy?
No. Many people attend therapy without having a formal diagnosis or specific “mental health condition”.
People often seek support for stress, relationships, life transitions, emotional overwhelm, self-understanding, or simply because something in life no longer feels quite right.
What can I expect in a session?
Sessions are conversational, collaborative, and tailored to you. Some sessions may focus on practical challenges or current stressors, while others may involve deeper reflection around emotions, relationships, patterns, or life experiences.
There is no pressure to talk about anything before you feel ready.
How long is a therapy session?
My typical therapy sessions for individual clients last 50-60 minutes. For couples I find that with the extra dimension of relationality it requires a 90 minute session. If you would be interested in other arrangements just let me know.
Do I need a referral?
No, you don't require a referral, and at the moment there are no Medicare rebates available for therapy.
Medicare does offer rebates for psychologists, but usually the final out of pocket cost after the rebate is similar (or more) than what I charge.
Is therapy confidential and private?
Yes, therapy is confidential, which means that information shared in sessions remains private, except in certain legal circumstances.
Confidentiality is a fundamental part of the therapeutic relationship and is vital for fostering trust and openness.
I'm too nervous to start therapy
Feeling uncertain or nervous about starting therapy is very common, especially if this is your first experience with it.
You do not need to have everything figured out before beginning. Therapy is simply a place to start the conversation.
How many sessions do I need?
There is no right or wrong here. Some clients benefit from just a few sessions to get them back on track, or overcome a specific challenge.
Some clients like to come every week for many years engaging in long-term work around deeper patterns, relationships or personal growths.
We will regularly reflect together on what feels helpful, what your goals are, and whether therapy is meeting your needs.
How do I know that you're the right therapist for me?
Finding the right therapist is an important part of the process, and it is completely okay to shop around before deciding who feels like the best fit for you.
Research consistently shows that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes in therapy.
My approach tends to be warm, collaborative, and reflective, but what matters most is whether you feel safe, understood, and comfortable working together.