Does counselling work?
My clients often say that our work together has helped them to make sense of things, better understand themselves and others and to find inner strengths they didn't realise were there.
Effective counselling requires a trusting relationship between counsellor and client where you can feel comfortable to share your thoughts and feelings. Some good questions to ask yourself when you meet with a therapist are, "did I feel listened to and understood?", "did I feel comfortable in sharing my story?", "did I feel judged or was I able to talk about anything?"
What happens in our sessions?
Typically the first session is focussed on us getting to know each other and clarifying your goals for therapy. Following this, we will explore thoughts, emotions and behaviours and how they support or get in the way.
There's no checklist or script, this is your story and our work and you will be supported to explore what's meaningful and relevant for you.
Do You Provide Health Insurance Rebates?
Yes. It will depend on your individual policy cover, best to check with your insurer. I am a registered provider with AHM, ARHG, AIA Health, BUPA, CUA, Emergency Services Health, GMHBA, HCF, Medibank, Phoenix Health, Police Health, St Lukes Health, Teachers Union Health, and Westfund.
How long does each therapy session take?
Approximately 50 minutes for individual counselling and 75 minutes for couples counselling.
How many sessions do I need?
That really depends on what you want to work on. For some clients, a couple of sessions is all they need, for others we might work weekly for a period of a month or so. We will talk about this in our first session and together agree on a plan that works for you.
How do couples sessions work via video?
You can sit side by side or be on seperate devices for our session, it's up to you. Often couples work includes sessions with both of you and sometimes individual sessions. We can chat through this in your first session. When I work with couples, I am particularly focussed on the "relationship" being my client rather than any one individual. This maintains balance and provides space for both of you. Couples therapy isn't always about fixing a relationship, sometimes it is about "how we end it in a way that leaves us both okay".
Do you provide counselling for NDIS Clients?
For sure. I work with folks using self-managed and managed plans. Counselling is usually funded under the item "improved daily living." Always good to check with your plan manager.
What if I need to cancel or change my appointment?
That's fine, stuff happens and changing an appointment time or day can usually be accommodated. One of the additional benefits of video-based counselling is that I can provide a range of flexible days and times. This includes evenings and weekends.
For cancellations less than 24 hours prior to your appointment, the service charge will apply.
More questions?
Great, send them through to andrew@jeffersonplace.com.au
How Does Payment Work?
Payment is within 24 hours of your session. A Stripe invoice will be emailed to you with a payment link after your session. All major credit cards are accepted.
How Does Payment Work?
Payment is within 24 hours of your session. A Stripe invoice will be emailed to you with a payment link after your session. All major credit cards are accepted.
Do You Provide Rebates for Mental Health Care Plans?
Mental health care plans under the Better Access Scheme are written by a GP for a client to access rebates in seeing a psychologist, unfortunately not psychotherapists or counsellors.
The current Medicare rebate for a general psychologist is $93.35. The Australian Psychological Society recommended session fee is $300 which means you may be out of pocket more than $200.
Our rate for individual counselling and psychotherapy is $160 and couples/relationship is $195 which is less than the gap payment generally charged by a psychologist.