Do I need a GP referral to see you?
No, you do not need a GP referral to see a counsellor, self-referral is fine.
I have a mental health care plan, can I use it to see you?
A mental health plan can only be used with a psychologist or mental health social worker. It allows you to claim ten sessions in a calendar year on Medicare. However, the gap you are required to pay is roughly the equivalent of the fees for Anchored Counselling Services. Longer-term, counselling can be more cost-efficient than psychology for the same level of professional care.
Can I claim your counselling fee through Medicare?
No, see above regarding the mental health care plan.
Can I claim your fee through my health insurance?
No, I am not currently a provider for private health insurances
How do you take payment?
All payments are required 24hrs prior to your session. You will receive and email with your invoice via Hnry for you to pay securely online or via bank deposit.
Where will the sessions occur?
All sessions are in a private location in Goulburn, NSW with the address provided upon booking. If you are not located in Goulburn, I also offer sessions online via zoom for all session types.
Will there be a lot of paperwork?
No, there are only 2 forms that are required for every client. They are a Counselling Agreement and a Client Intake Form. Both are to be filled out within 48hrs of booking your appointment and can be completed on a computer or any smart device.
What will happen in my first session?
The first session is about telling the story of what led you to counselling, where you are at presently and what you are hoping to achieve. It is common to be nervous, or anxious for the first session; please know everything will go at your pace.
I am after Relationship Counselling, what is the process for this?
Relationship counselling looks a little bit different, it involves individual sessions for each of you, you are then required to fill in an online assessment and then the first joint session is scheduled where you are seen together.
Relationship counselling is suitable for all relationships structures including those in the LGBTQIA+ community and polyamorous relationships.
What about Family Counselling, what does that involve?
Individual sessions will be required for all within the family unit. After this; there will be a mixture of sessions eg: in a family with 2 children it may proceed like this – individual sessions, sessions with both parents, sessions with both children and continue in a mixture including the potential of all family members. The session structure is dependent on the issues and needs of the family.
Family counselling is suitable for all family types.
Is there a cancellation policy?
Yes, this is in the counselling agreement. Cancellation with less than 48hrs notice there is a 50% session fee. Cancellations less than 24hours notice, or not arriving for the scheduled time, is the full session fee.
What if I don’t like you?
At Anchored Counselling Services, we firmly believe that at least 50% of a good outcome in counselling depends on the rapport you have with your counsellor. If for whatever reason you feel you and I are not a good match, please let me know and I will do my best to find a counsellor in our networks more suitable to your needs.
How long are the sessions?
Sessions are 50min in length, however, a 90min appointment is available with prior discuss and an additional fee.
What are your fee’s?
My fee structure is the following:
Individual Counselling – $120 per session
Relationship Counselling – $150 per session
Relationship Assessment – $100 one off fee
Family Counselling – $170 per session
Any session beyond the standard 50 minutes will have an increased fee.
Anchored Counselling Services does not provide free counselling or discounted rates.
How can I contact you?
The best way to contact is by using this form.