Important distinction: Counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists provide talk therapies and work with similar concerns. The key differences can include assessment and diagnosis capabilities and the therapeutic approaches used (e.g. CBT, EMDR, ACT etc.) rather than simply how “deep” or long-term the therapy is. As counsellors don’t diagnose, they don’t operate under the Medicare medical model, however they are still formally registered with an industry body to be able to practice, and are trained in very similar ways to psychologists.

Counsellors

• Focus: Current life challenges, relationship difficulties, grief, stress, adjustment and significant life transitions.

• Duration: Can be short, medium or long-term depending on the client’s needs and therapeutic approach.

• Goal: Improve mental health and wellbeing, develop insight and coping strategies, and support meaningful and sustainable emotional or behavioural change.

• Approach: Can be present-focused, goal-oriented, exploratory and collaborative using therapeutic approaches like CBT, ACT, Solution-Focused therapy.

Psychotherapists

• Focus: Persistent emotional difficulties, longstanding behavioural patterns, trauma, attachment and relational experiences.

• Duration: Often medium- to long-term, particularly when exploring deeper or longstanding concerns.

• Goal: Develop insight into underlying patterns, emotional processes, attachment and past experiences to support sustained change.

• Approach: Often exploratory and reflective, although approaches vary considerably between practitioners. 
  

Psychologists

• Focus: Conduct formal assessments, psychometric testing, and diagnoses for mental illnesses. Assist with emotional, behavioural and psychological difficulties more complex mental health concerns.

• Duration: Can be short, medium or long-term depending on the presenting issue, therapeutic approach and client needs.

• Goal: Improve psychological wellbeing, develop insight and coping strategies, and support meaningful and sustainable emotional or behavioural change.

• Approach: Evidence-based, with approaches varying according to the psychologist’s training, registration, area of practice and therapeutic orientation. 

At present Medicare doesn’t offer rebates for counselling sessions. If you are hoping to use a MHCP to claim rebates on sessions you will need to book an appointment with a psychologist instead. It is worth noting that there is likely a gap payment and long waitlist when you see a psychologist, as Medicare generally only covers a percentage of the fee.

A therapy session with a counsellor can sometimes be a similar or lower cost than the out-of-pocket expenses for a psychologist (even with the Medicare rebate). At Kardia Collective, fees have been set with this in mind to safeguard accessibility to counselling for anyone who needs it.

Unfortunately not due to the professional registration and insurance frameworks that counsellors in Australia work to.

Attending a counselling session with a new therapist for the first time can be a daunting experience. It’s very normal to feel apprehensive, unsure, and quite frankly, wanting to run and hide! While these feelings are expected, it’s important to remember that something in your life is bothering you enough that you made that appointment in the first place, and that’s a great place to start.

Getting to know each other

Our first session is a gentle exploration of what brought you to counselling. Remember, your therapist is trained to listen and help you untangle unpleasant thoughts and feelings.

We might use the first session to explore just one issue or multiple problems you’re facing. It doesn’t need to make sense or flow and can be a highly emotional time. This is part of the process of reflecting - whether you’re new to therapy or a seasoned client, it can bring a lot of relief.

Video calls are conducted using Halaxy Telehealth. You’ll receive a secure link to your session 24 hours prior, simply click the link at your appointment time to join via desktop or mobile.

A note on preparing for your video call:

1. Choose a quiet, private space for your appointment, preferably on a laptop or desktop computer

2. Have water, tissues and a journal close by

3. Be ready to join the session five minutes before your scheduled start time to check your technology is working.

4. Have your video on during the session. It might feel uncomfortable, but is highly beneficial to getting the most out of the counselling relationship you’ll build with your therapist.

   Note: Video calls are end-to-end-encrypted for your privacy.

As a small business with clients on a waitlist, strict cancellation policies may need to be enforced. If you need to change or cancel an appointment, please use the cancel or reschedule function in the appointment email or contact me directly.

I appreciate that unforeseen circumstances arise, however appointments cancelled with less than 24-hours notice will forfeit the 50% deposit.

A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your appointment. Credit and debit cards are accepted and payments are processed securely through Square. Afterpay is also available should you need to space your payments out - select this option through the payment link you’ve received.

A receipt will be sent to you after your session.

All client records are managed through end-to-end encrypted, secure practice management software. This includes your personal details, payment information and session notes which are only accessible by me through a multi-factor authenticated log in. Any sessions conducted in person will be done so in an appropriate, private therapy room.

As registered counsellors, we are bound by the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 and relevant acts in other states and territories. All records are stored for a period of 7 years in line with recordkeeping requirements.

We are also bound by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics, and are professional members of the ACA (the national progressive professional peak association of counsellors and psychotherapists)

There are however three instances in which we would be required to breach confidentiality:

1. If we believe that you are at risk of harming yourself, or another person

2. If your records are subpoenaed by a court of law

3. If your records need to be shared with a referral agency or third party (with your consent).

You can request to review your records by submitting a written request to natalie@kardiacollective.com.au (please allow 48 hours for record retrieval).

You will always be required to give your consent for information to be shared. For example, in the case of a referral to another counsellor.

NALAG (National Association for Loss and Grief)

https://www.nalag.org.au/sydney-grief-support
(Grief support counselling by phone)

Beyond Blue

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ (online chat, forums and resources for anxiety and depression)

Call 1300 22 4636

Headstart

https://headstart.org.au/central-and-eastern-sydney/ (useful resources and clinician directory by age/concern)

1800RESPECT

National domestic, family and sexual violence counselling service

https://www.1800respect.org.au/‍ ‍

Call 1800 737 732

Griefline

https://griefline.org.au/

Call 1300 845 745

SANDS

Miscarriage, stillbirth & newborn death support

https://www.sands.org.au/247-phone-support

Call 1300 308 307