The client talks about their concerns and issues. The counsellor asks questions and sometimes takes brief notes. Their job is not to give advice but instead to help you to have a different way of looking at the problem and thus helping you come to a new solution or new perspective. It gives you a chance to talk over your ‘worries’ to someone from outside your personal life who’s trained to listen in a non-judgemental way.

Individual sessions usually last an hour, but couples and family sessions may be longer, and some sessions of extended time can be arranged in advance. Fees are adjusted for pre-arranged longer sessions.

No, you don’t need a referral

Yes, anything discussed will remain private and confidential, and counsellor files are kept locked. However confidentiality is limited when there is a need to:

• Protect a child or children
• Prevent or lessen a serious or imminent threat to life, health or property
• Prevent the commission or likely commission of a crime
• Prevent violence or threat of violence to a person or property

Number of sessions required differ for each person, couple or family, and is dependent on the progress and complexity of issues, and is discussed between client and counsellor.

Usual frequency is weekly or fortnightly, yet this differs per person and is discussed with your counsellor according to your needs and what is appropriate.

You need to check with your individual fund. Laura is a qualified Family Therapist and some funds have very specific eligibility requirements around counselling claims. Laura’s fees are lower than psychologists and will be about the same after the Medicare Rebate is deducted. There is no rebate with Medicare.

Yes some weekday evenings and Saturdays by appointment.

Yes Laura has worked with same sex couples and people from the LGBTIQ community since her practice began in 1998.

That’s ok, your relationship will benefit from you attending alone by gaining insights and new skills and demonstrating that you value the relationship. The partner is often willing to attend in the future when they notice the changes in you.