Let’s Shine a Light on Counselling
I am a Counsellor with a Master’s in Social Work. The Social work component of my toolbox helps me see a complete ‘holistic’ picture. It used to be my dream to make the world a better place with one person’s mental health at a time… now I realise, there are parts of the world we live in that need to adjust for our mental health to change. Until those changes happen, we can still learn to be the best version of ourselves and honour our strengths and continue to shine with self-determination and autonomy - even amongst societies shortcomings.
Financial Support for Fees
Currently, you do not need a Mental Health Care Plan from a GP to be supported by a Counsellor - which also means your records are not passed back through the Medicare system, nor are they time limited.
I can support you financially through Private Health funds. Most of the major funds recognise Counselling, however, you will need to check the inclusions in your Extras cover.
You or Your Label?
I will not assess to look for a label (this can be a dominating medical model/approach) - I will consider your whole self, yourself in context and yourself as you dream it to be. I am not ‘problem focused’ but ‘solution focused’. We will use assessments to measure progress and preferences - all of which are done ‘with you’ not ‘to you’. Labels often correlate with pathology (which suggests challenges can be fixed with medication). Medication will address symptoms and chemical imbalances, and unfortunately the cause of the challenge could be still underlying. I will not suggest or prescribe medication (Psychiatrists do this). Instead, I will work with understanding and supporting what has been prescribed through psycho education, considering cognitive impacts, exploring behaviour modification, while maintaining choice (control and power).
Knowledgeable and Humanistic
Psychologists will do the research (the what and the why), and Counsellors will apply it (the what, the why and the how). Academic approaches are quite different. Those with a Counselling degree learn how to support you though change and adjustments while being empathetic, accepting, compassionate and building therapeutic trust and relationship. The beauty of both worlds.
It is about what YOU need
I will refer to a Psychologist if I identify an issue for you which is out of my skill set. My toolbox is deep and wide when I combine a Social Work perspective as well as my passion for ongoing education. You are my priority, and I will call on all my professional, experienced and qualified colleagues to get the best support for you.
I have a holistic approach - I will consider physical, emotional, social, spiritual and biological contributors to your challenges. Whichever area you want to start with, is where we start. You are the expert, and I am your guide. Your financial investment, your time and your emotional energy is precious, and I invite you to choose carefully and with confidence.
