Frequently Asked Questions

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Appointments & rEferrals

No. You can contact me directly and book an appointment as a private client without a referral.
If you would like to claim a Medicare rebate, you will need an appropriate referral from your GP or another eligible medical practitioner, usually as part of a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
I also see clients funded through other programs, including self-managed NDIS plans, Victim Assist Queensland and the National Redress Scheme.
The first appointment is really about getting to know each other and beginning to understand what has brought you to therapy.
We might talk about what has been happening for you, what you would like some help with, relevant parts of your history, and what you would like to get out of therapy.
There is no expectation that you tell me everything in the first session. We can take things at a pace that feels manageable, particularly when trauma or difficult experiences are involved.
It is also an opportunity for you to get a sense of me and decide whether I feel like the right therapist for you.
Standard counselling and therapy appointments are 50–60 minutes.
At times, longer appointments may be useful for particular types of therapy, including some EMDR work. If I think a longer appointment might be helpful, we can discuss this together beforehand.
Yes. Appointments are available via telehealth as well as face-to-face.
Telehealth can be a useful option if you live further away, have difficulty getting to the clinic, or simply feel more comfortable attending therapy from your own space.

EMDR

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that can help people process traumatic, distressing or difficult life experiences.
Sometimes experiences from the past can continue to feel very present. You might logically know that something is over, but your emotions, body or nervous system can continue to react as though the threat is still happening.
EMDR aims to help the brain process these experiences so that they become less distressing and have less influence over how you feel and respond in the present.
No.
One of the things some people appreciate about EMDR is that you don't necessarily need to describe every detail of what happened.
I will need enough information to understand what we are working with and to make sure we can approach the work safely, but you remain in control of what you choose to share.
Trauma therapy is not about pushing you to disclose things before you are ready.
Usually not.
EMDR involves more than the eye movements or bilateral stimulation people often associate with it. Before processing traumatic experiences, we will spend time understanding what is happening for you and considering whether EMDR is appropriate.
Preparation can include developing strategies for emotional regulation, understanding triggers and responses, identifying resources and building confidence in your ability to manage difficult emotions.
For some people this process is relatively quick, while others benefit from spending more time on preparation. There isn't a set timeline.
EMDR is best known as a treatment for trauma and PTSD, but it can also be useful where difficult past experiences continue to influence someone's emotions, beliefs, relationships or responses in the present.
Whether EMDR is suitable depends on what you are experiencing and your individual circumstances. We can discuss this together rather than assuming that one particular therapy will be right for everyone.

LGBTIQA+

Not at all.
I work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and identities. LGBTIQA+ mental health is simply one of my particular areas of interest and experience.
You also don't need to have everything figured out. If you're questioning or exploring your sexuality or gender, therapy can provide a private space to explore what this means for you without pressure to choose a particular label.
Yes.
I work with parents, carers and families who are supporting a young person exploring their sexuality or gender, including parents of transgender and gender-diverse young people.
It is okay for parents to have questions or to find aspects of this adjustment difficult. Having your own space to talk about those feelings can help you better understand what your young person is experiencing while working towards maintaining a safe, supportive and connected relationship with them.
The aim isn't to judge parents or tell them what they should feel. It is to help families navigate these experiences while keeping the wellbeing and safety of the young person at the centre.

Parental Involvement

I work with young people aged 12 and above, as well as adults.
I have a particular interest in supporting adolescents and young adults through experiences such as anxiety, trauma, identity and belonging, neurodivergence, sexuality and gender exploration, family and relationship difficulties, school-related challenges, and the transition into adulthood.
My approach with young people is collaborative and age-appropriate, with a focus on creating a space where they feel respected, heard and able to be themselves.
Parents and carers can also be involved where appropriate, while maintaining the young person's need for privacy and a trusting therapeutic relationship.
Yes, where appropriate.
Parents and carers can be an important source of support, particularly for younger clients. At the same time, young people also need a space where they feel comfortable speaking openly and developing their own therapeutic relationship.
How parents or carers are involved will depend on the young person's age, circumstances, needs and preferences. We can discuss this at the beginning of therapy and find an approach that supports everyone involved while respecting the young person's privacy.
Generally, what you talk about in therapy is private.
I don't routinely report the details of a young person's therapy conversations back to their parents or carers. Having some privacy is important in helping young people feel comfortable speaking honestly.
There are limits to confidentiality. There may be circumstances where I need to share information because I am concerned about someone's immediate safety or because I have a legal or professional obligation to do so.
Wherever possible, I will talk with you about this first rather than sharing information without you knowing.

Funding, Rebates & Cancellations

I currently work with self-managed and plan managed NDIS participants where the therapy I provide is appropriate to the person's disability-related needs and NDIS goals.
NDIS funding arrangements can vary between participants, so we can discuss your plan and whether my services are suitable before you commence.
If you have an appropriate referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be eligible to claim a Medicare rebate for your appointments.
My standard therapy fee is $220 per session. Eligible clients can claim the applicable Medicare rebate, with the remaining amount being your out-of-pocket cost.
If you're unsure whether you're eligible, your GP can discuss a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral with you.
I understand that sometimes things happen and appointments need to be changed.
I ask that you provide as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations and appointments that are not attended may incur a cancellation fee.
Full details of the cancellation policy will be provided when you book your first appointment.

Therapy & Sessions

There isn't one schedule that works for everyone.
Some people benefit from weekly appointments, particularly when beginning therapy or undertaking more focused trauma work. Others prefer fortnightly or less frequent sessions.
We can talk about what is clinically appropriate as well as what is realistic for you financially and practically. Therapy should be collaborative, including decisions about how often we meet.
That depends on what brings you to therapy, what you would like to work on and your individual circumstances.
Some people come to therapy to work through a specific issue over a relatively short period. Others are working with more complex experiences or longstanding patterns and benefit from longer-term therapy.
I won't expect you to commit to a set number of sessions. We can regularly review how therapy is going and whether it continues to be useful for you.
That's completely okay. Many people feel nervous before meeting a new therapist, particularly if they haven't had therapy before or haven't felt comfortable with previous therapists.
You don't need to arrive knowing exactly what to say or even exactly what you want to work on. We can work that out together.
One of my priorities is creating a therapeutic relationship where you can gradually feel comfortable being yourself. The first appointment doesn't need to involve diving straight into the hardest parts of your story.
Finding the right therapist matters.
You are welcome to make an enquiry before booking if you have questions about my experience, approach or whether I work with what you're seeking support for.
And if we begin working together and either of us feels that another therapist or service would be better suited to your needs, we can talk openly about that and consider other options.

Looking for support?

It’s completely okay if you still have questions or aren’t quite sure where to start. You’re welcome to get in touch to ask a question, find out more, or explore whether New Season Therapy might be the right fit for you.

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