Important To Know And Consider

What is a counsellor, what do they do and how can therapy help?

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A counsellor is a person who you talk to so they can help you overcome difficulties in your life, support and guide you to make positive changes, get you where you want to be, achieve your goals and live the life you want to live. If you are struggling with difficult and challenging situations, such as relationships issues, break ups and separation, the loss of a loved one, trauma, unexpected life events, domestic violence, stress, mental illnesses, like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder counselling might help you to deal with and manage these situations in a more positive manner. Counsellors can help and guide you when you are dealing with life stressors, painful emotions, difficulties and conflicts. By talking through your problems or concerns, counsellors can help you to see solutions you didn’t know were there. They can also help you find ways to cope better and move on in life.

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Counselling involves talking about difficulties, challenges or concerns you are experiencing, in a safe, supportive and collaborative environment. Counselling and therapy can help you find positive ways to manage your situation and improve overall wellbeing by relieving distress and enhancing relationships. Counselling is a therapeutic and healing process can that will support you to develop insights and different perspectives, consider choices and find solutions that recognise your strengths, abilities and knowledge

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How to find a counsellor that will suit your needs and personality?

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There’s nothing better than feeling understood and accepted. Finding a place where you can be your true self, where you are not judged by any means, connecting with a person who respects you for who you are, understands what you’re going through and can help you get through it can be beneficial and healing to your mental health and overall wellbeing and may be just what you need to get you through difficult times in your life.

Find a therapist that speaks your language, where you can be yourself and feel comfortable. Do your research, read through the information on the websites and flyers, find someone you can relate to and have a good "gut feeling" about. 

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I wholeheartedly suggest and hope that you don’t give up after one unsuccessful or disappointing appointment. If you don’t feel like you were understood, respected and accepted for who you are as a person, it is OK not to go back to the same counsellor and keep looking for a new one; one that will work for YOU. Be open minded, true to yourself and please keep in mind, that not every counsellor is for every client, just as not every client is for every counsellor. We are all different and unique with varying personalities and needs. Find someone your feel comfortable with and someone who gets YOU!

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It is a good idea to check that any counsellor you want to see is registered with a professional body like the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (PACFA) or The Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

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Fees and Charges

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Fees vary depending on the counsellor and the number of sessions you need. Medicare does not currently cover counselling services in Australia, however the fees are usually affordable and reasonable, and mostly lower than the out-of-pocket expenses for appointments with a psychologist on a mental health care plan or visiting a private practice of a psychologist.  Always enquire about the fees and charges, session lengths and program packages they may offer prior to committing to an appointment.

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Privacy and confidentiality

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Confidentiality and privacy is an important aspect of counselling. Please be assured that your privacy and confidentiality is of the highest priority. This means that under normal circumstances no one outside the Counseling Practice is given any information — even the fact that you have been here — without your expressed written consent. The primary goal is to provide you with a safe environment in which you feel comfortable to discuss your concerns, without the worry and stress of someone unauthorized finding out about your private conversations, deepest tights, emotions, fears and problems. Your information is confidential, it will be stored securely and accessed only by your counsellor, Beata McLean. 

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You are entitled to see the information and have the right to receive a copy of the material that is kept by Beata McLean about you. However your counsellor has the right to deny access to some or all of your file should access be deemed a serious threat to the life or health of yourself or another person. 

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Counsellors follow professional, legal and ethical guidelines and as part of service provision, we are required to maintain confidential records of all individuals and counselling sessions. This information is not available to any other individual or external service without your permission.

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Please be aware that there are certain circumstances in which therapists are required to breach confidentiality without a client's permission. Therapists are mandated to report certain information in which there is the possibility of harm to a client or to another person, in cases of child or elder abuse, or under court order. Your therapist will explain these situations to you in your first meeting.

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Cancellation Policy

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• You will receive an email/SMS confirmation of your appointment after scheduling.

• You will receive a SMS confirmation the day prior to your appointment which we ask you to reply to and confirm the booking.

• Cancellations and/or to reschedule an appointment must be done 24 hours prior to the appointment. (if your appointment is at 10am on Tuesday, you must cancel or reschedule before 10am on Monday)

• Cancellations and/or requesting to reschedule on the day of your appointment or within 24 hours will incur a 50% charge.

• No shows for appointments will be charged the full fee for the scheduled appointment.

• Payment is required 48 hours prior to booking unless otherwise agreed.

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Have a question? Give us as call on 0468 926 649 or email us at yourlifecounselling@outlook.com so we can help you and answer any questions you may have.

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