Are we the right fit for you?
Individual Therapy
Yes, there are age restrictions for individual therapy. We work only with adults, not young people under 18. We will see young people age 18 to 22 individually, when they consent to the therapist openly communicating with their parents.
Our specialty is in working with individuals who have been through difficulties that have left them with disturbing or traumatic memories. Using Radical Exposure Tapping, we can work in a focussed, time limited manner to help them give peace to those memories and regain a sense of hope and joy.
You can claim a Medicare rebate for individual therapy if you are referred by your GP or psychiatrist.
Couple and family therapy
We are highly trained in couple and family therapy which we have practiced and taught to other therapists for more than 30 years. We have had the privilege of working with people from many different backgrounds and diverse personal and family relationships.
Our current specialty is in working with families with adult children (over the age of 18). This may be a parent and their adult child(ren) or two or more adult siblings.
As part of couple therapy, we will work with parenting issues but we no longer offer family therapy where the main concern is the behaviour or well being of a young person under the age of 18.
We do not offer mediation or therapy to separated couples who are involved in a court process.
FAQ
How long does therapy take?
We do what is called brief therapy, that is, we work in the shortest time frame possible to help you resolve the problem and feel good again. The average number of sessions is about 10. If your goal for therapy is to address a specific problem or situation, we may need only a few sessions. When situations are more complex, or when an individual is seeking deeper changes in personality, then more sessions are needed to create permanent change.
Can I claim a rebate?
Yes, there is a Medicare rebate for individual therapy if you are referred by a psychiatrist or a GP as part of a mental health case management plan. There are no Medicare or private rebates for couple or family therapy.
How does a Mental Health Social Worker differ from a psychologist?
Using the analogy of a camera lens, a psychologist is focused on the thought processes of the client and uses this information to help the client understand and change the thoughts that are causing them distress. A Mental Health Social Worker, on the other hand, has a zoom lens that can zoom in to the level of thoughts and feelings but also zooms out to the relationship, community, and cultural context that shapes and maintains behaviour and our problems. This flexible lens means that not only are there more ways to understand a problem, there are also many more options available to intervene and create change.
There is significant overlap between a Mental Health Social Worker and psychologist when both have been trained in family therapy and thus can focus on the interaction between people.
Do you write reports?
When you are referred by a medical doctor, Medicare requires us to write back to your doctor.
Other than that, we do not write reports for any reason. If you need a report or need help with a matter involving compensation, criminal or family court, or work cover, it is best to seek another professional who specializes in that work.
What kinds of problems or issues can therapy address?
People often seek therapy to:
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overcome negative feelings such as depression, anxiety, panic, stress or prolonged grief and loneliness.
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reflect on their part in their current or past relationship difficulties and learn ways of developing happier, healthier relationships.
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feel better about themselves, increase their self-esteem and increase their ability to experience intimacy and trust.
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resolve intrusive memories about disturbing or traumatic events and move on in life.
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re-evaluate the purpose and meaning of life and make choices for the future when they hit a crisis, such a an empty nest, retirement or health crisis.
When do couples seek therapy?
Couples seek therapy to improve the relationship when one or both partners are worried about issues such as:
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Communication difficulties;
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The frequency or intensity of arguments;
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Feelings of disconnection or lack of intimacy;
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Dissatisfaction in their sexual relationship;
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Unresolved conflict about children, money, in-laws, affairs or work.
How helpful is therapy in resolving couple problems?
If couples seek therapy when they first experience problems, therapy can be very helpful in improving communication, resolving conflict and providing emotional support. The longer the problems have continued, the harder it is to change entrenched patterns and both partners must be committed to therapy for it to be successful.
If one partner is not willing to attend therapy, a lot can still be gained by the motivated partner attending therapy to examine his or her own needs, expectations and behaviour. A change in one partner can effect a change in the relationship.