FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Counselling? Individuals, couples, or families participate in counselling individually or together for many different reasons. It seems the most common reasons people reach out for this assistance is when they are emotionally troubled around relationships - both with others and themselves. Many people also experience emotional crises when they feel 'stuck' negotiating a life change, such as transitions in career, death, separation or divorce, ageing or parenting. Counselling with ThoughtMatters encourages you to increase your awareness, develop tools to support your growth and healing and, ultimately, to become empowered to use these skills throughout your life.
Why would someone seek Counselling? When we encounter difficult and challenging situations in our lives, we need to speak with someone who has more skills and understanding than our usual support networks can provide. We may want to explore how to live a more balanced and meaningful life, or address problems with our relationships that are causing conflict or distress. Counselling provides help to people who have issues with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, addictions, abuse and trauma, relationships, parenting, and workplace problems, either for individual or couples appointments. Read more...
What are the differences between Psychotherapy and Counselling? There is no consensus about this. Some say psychotherapy is more in depth or longer term, others say there is no difference. In reality, the name makes no difference to you as a client - so the terms can be used interchangeably. The 'fit' you have with your therapist is, however, very important. Studies have shown that, regardless of the therapeutic modalities used, the therapeutic alliance you experience is the greatest predictor of a positive outcome for you.
Who can benefit from Counselling? Anyone who is suffering from distress or major disruptions in their lives can benefit from counselling. People do not have to have a psychological disorder to benefit from seeing a counsellor. I can help if you want to improve your well being and develop life skills that may assist you to attain personal goals or communicate better with those important people in your life. Read more ...
Can therapy help our marriage? At ThoughtMatters on the northern beaches, I work with individuals and couples, helping you restore the love and respect that may have disappeared from your relationship, identify shared goals and put in place the strategies to achieve them. This investment in your relationship can be extremely rewarding and long lasting. Couples Counselling is very effective to re-instate harmony and happiness within the relationship, while identifying and supporting the needs and challenges of the individuals. Where there is one partner who is resisting couples therapy, individual therapy can still provide strategies and clarity that profoundly impact the relationship. I can help you discover the way to repair and embrace your relationship with respect and love. Read more...
How effective is Counselling? Extensive research has shown consistently that if you seek counselling when faced with a difficult emotional or life problem, you will be better off than 80% of people who don't seek help - and that the benefits last. Research has also shown that, in general, different approaches to therapy work equally well - regardless of the life problems involved, it is the client-counsellor relationship that can be the most important factor.
Are Online Sessions as Effective?
Online sessions can be ideal to manage time and distance issues, but personal preference plays a big part here. Think about your needs and comfortability with Zoom or Telehealth sessions.
Many clients are comfortable switching between the online and in-person sessions, especially once the therapeutic alliance is established. Read more about Online Sessions here...
Are there any Rebates? Rebates may be available through your private health fund if you are with Bupa, Medibank Private, ahm, HCF, Police Health Fund, St Luke's Health, Emergency Services Health, GMHBA, Teachers Union Health, CUA Health (Telehealth only), AIA, and Westfund. Please check your cover with these health funds to know the rebates available to you.
Do you need a GP referral or Mental Health Care Plan? No. At ThoughtMatters, there is no need for a referral and there are no restrictions on the number of sessions you can have.
Unfortunately, there are no Medicare rebates available for appointments with counsellors or psychotherapists.
However, the cost of seeing me at ThoughtMatters is comparable with the out-of-pocket expense you may incur with a psychologist after the Medicare rebate. Individual circumstances apply, so please check with Medicare to compare the gap you would have to pay.
Read more about Mental Health Care Plans here...
What is Counselling? Individuals, couples, or families participate in counselling individually or together for many different reasons. It seems the most common reasons people reach out for this assistance is when they are emotionally troubled around relationships - both with others and themselves. Many people also experience emotional crises when they feel 'stuck' negotiating a life change, such as transitions in career, death, separation or divorce, ageing or parenting. Counselling with ThoughtMatters encourages you to increase your awareness, develop tools to support your growth and healing and, ultimately, to become empowered to use these skills throughout your life.
Why would someone seek Counselling? When we encounter difficult and challenging situations in our lives, we need to speak with someone who has more skills and understanding than our usual support networks can provide. We may want to explore how to live a more balanced and meaningful life, or address problems with our relationships that are causing conflict or distress. Counselling provides help to people who have issues with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, addictions, abuse and trauma, relationships, parenting, and workplace problems, either for individual or couples appointments. Read more...
What are the differences between Psychotherapy and Counselling? There is no consensus about this. Some say psychotherapy is more in depth or longer term, others say there is no difference. In reality, the name makes no difference to you as a client - so the terms can be used interchangeably. The 'fit' you have with your therapist is, however, very important. Studies have shown that, regardless of the therapeutic modalities used, the therapeutic alliance you experience is the greatest predictor of a positive outcome for you.
Who can benefit from Counselling? Anyone who is suffering from distress or major disruptions in their lives can benefit from counselling. People do not have to have a psychological disorder to benefit from seeing a counsellor. I can help if you want to improve your well being and develop life skills that may assist you to attain personal goals or communicate better with those important people in your life. Read more ...
Can therapy help our marriage? At ThoughtMatters on the northern beaches, I work with individuals and couples, helping you restore the love and respect that may have disappeared from your relationship, identify shared goals and put in place the strategies to achieve them. This investment in your relationship can be extremely rewarding and long lasting. Couples Counselling is very effective to re-instate harmony and happiness within the relationship, while identifying and supporting the needs and challenges of the individuals. Where there is one partner who is resisting couples therapy, individual therapy can still provide strategies and clarity that profoundly impact the relationship. I can help you discover the way to repair and embrace your relationship with respect and love. Read more...
How effective is Counselling? Extensive research has shown consistently that if you seek counselling when faced with a difficult emotional or life problem, you will be better off than 80% of people who don't seek help - and that the benefits last. Research has also shown that, in general, different approaches to therapy work equally well - regardless of the life problems involved, it is the client-counsellor relationship that can be the most important factor.
Are Online Sessions as Effective?
Online sessions can be ideal to manage time and distance issues, but personal preference plays a big part here. Think about your needs and comfortability with Zoom or Telehealth sessions.
Many clients are comfortable switching between the online and in-person sessions, especially once the therapeutic alliance is established. Read more about Online Sessions here...
Are there any Rebates? Rebates may be available through your private health fund if you are with Bupa, Medibank Private, ahm, HCF, Police Health Fund, St Luke's Health, Emergency Services Health, GMHBA, Teachers Union Health, CUA Health (Telehealth only), AIA, and Westfund. Please check your cover with these health funds to know the rebates available to you.
Do you need a GP referral or Mental Health Care Plan? No. At ThoughtMatters, there is no need for a referral and there are no restrictions on the number of sessions you can have.
Unfortunately, there are no Medicare rebates available for appointments with counsellors or psychotherapists.
However, the cost of seeing me at ThoughtMatters is comparable with the out-of-pocket expense you may incur with a psychologist after the Medicare rebate. Individual circumstances apply, so please check with Medicare to compare the gap you would have to pay.
Read more about Mental Health Care Plans here...
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