Individual Counselling is the most popular service offered at our Clinic.  It is suitable for clients aged 13 years or older.  For children younger than this, we generally recommended parental or caregiver involvement in sessions as the emotional and behavioural issues that arise during these younger developmental years are usually best addressed within the broader family context (see Child and Family Counselling for further information).

During the first session your Psychologist will guide you through a series of questions designed to get to know you better and understand what you would like to get out of the therapy process.  Our approach is very much client-centred and client-driven, which means you are always in control of the direction that the therapy takes.

Your Psychologist may use specific questionnaires or checklists as part of the assessment process to clarify any particular problems that you are having, but they will always make sure that you are comfortable with this and understand the purpose of the assessment.  Throughout the therapy process, your Psychologist will continue to check-in with you to make sure that you are working towards the goals and outcomes that are important to you.

Sometimes, therapy may involve practicing new skills between sessions, filling in thought records or mood charts or using specifics apps or online therapy tools to get the most out of the process.  At other times, therapy is more focussed on working through particular issues in session, with a greater focus on the therapeutic relationship, rather than skill development.

The number of sessions needed to address your particular concerns will be unique to you and may actually change as the therapy progresses.  Appointments are usually weekly to begin with, but then may be spaced out to fortnightly or monthly sessions over time.  Medicare offers a rebate for up to 10 individual therapy sessions per calendar year.  For some clients, 10 sessions or less may be all that it is needed, however for others, a greater number of sessions may be required.  Your Psychologist will always tailor the treatment to your circumstances to ensure that you get the most out of the sessions that you have together.  We usually suggest at least one to two follow-up sessions at the conclusion of the therapy process to ensure that you maintain any new skills and have achieved your desired outcome.