Counselling and psychotherapy
What is counselling and psychotherapy?
Counselling and psychotherapy are pretty much the same thing. Some clinicians might say counselling if the work is on the short side (1-18 sessions/weeks), and psychotherapy if it’s longer than that, but generally these are two words for the same thing. It means talking about whatever feels important to talk about with a professional, trained in applying psychological theories and research to help you. You would usually see the same therapist at the same time and at the same place every week for an agreed number of weeks (though it can be open-ended).
Many people find the experience of talking to someone bound by confidentiality laws, whom they don’t know and isn’t a part of their life outside of their weekly sessions, as incredibly freeing in itself. On top of that, I’ve trained for many years to help people uncover, unravel and untangle the things that keep them trapped, stuck or distressed.
See my FAQs page for more information about how therapy works and if it’s effective.
What is my approach?
There are many, many different models of psychotherapy. That means different theories concerning how we develop as people, where psychological stress and suffering comes from, and how we grow and get better. These models in turn determine what therapy looks like in practice.
As a psychologist, I’m trained and proficient in serval different models of psychotherapy, and will tailor my approach to my clients’ needs and preferences. All the models of therapy I use in my practice are based on up-to-date research, and their effectiveness has been robustly evidenced.
That said, my approach is generally what is broadly termed relational, meaning that it is through the relationship between the client and the therapist that change and growth happens. Indeed, research has repeatedly shown that it is this relationship that determines the success of therapy, more than specific techniques or models.
If you’d like to read more about the specific models I specialise in, there are plenty of resources online, available through a simple Google-search. You can look up person-centred therapy, psychodynamic therapy, Object Relations, and CBT. If you’d like to know more, feel free to get in touch with me.
Can I help you?
Therapy is often talked about as treatment for mental health issues. Depression, anxiety, panic, PTSD, eating disorders, sexual trauma, OCD, bipolar disorder, personality disorders etc. I’m trained to help with issues like these, and have many years of experiences doing so. However, a large proportion of my clients don’t have severe mental health issues, or a specific diagnosis, but would like help understanding why they feel, think and behave the way they do, and want to change.
Some of the people I work with have traumatic experiences in their past that they feel might still be affecting them. Others find themselves moving from relationship to relationship, unsure why they struggle to invest in another person. Others have a constant sense of anxiety and worry in the back of their mind. Some are constantly trying to prove themselves, but feel that there is something fundamentally flawed about them. Others feel demotivated and low, and that life is meaningless. Some are constantly stressed, but just can’t seem to slow down. Others tell lies, but they’re not sure why. Some of my clients simply want to understand themselves better. The list goes on.
What we know from decades of research into the effectiveness of psychotherapy and counselling, is that it works. Whatever is going on for you, there’s a good chance talking to someone about it can help. It does not mean you have “mental health issues”, or are have an illness. Shoot me an email, and we can discuss what’s going on and whether psychotherapy might help you.
Fee
First session
The key to successful therapy is the relationship between client and therapist. Therefore I always recommend that people looking for a therapist attend a first session and see if they feel comfortable and safe with the therapist. Because of this, I have a lower rate of $80 for the first session, and we can discuss then whether you’d like to continue or not.
Subsequent sessions.
My fee is $150 (including GST) per session. However, if you’d like to pay for a bulk of sessions, generally 6 at a time, I offer a discounted rate of $150 per session. We can discuss this more closely over the phone, or in your first session.
Payment is due weekly after every session. That way it is easy to end our work or take a break from sessions whenever you’d like. You can pay with cash or do a bank transfer. I’m afraid I don’t have EFTPOS. Maybe one day…
This is a frequently asked question?
Counselling and psychotherapy are pretty much the same thing. Some clinicians might say counselling if the work is on the short side (1-18 sessions/weeks), and psychotherapy if it’s longer than that, but generally these are two words for the same thing. It means talking about whatever feels important to talk about with a professional, trained in applying psychological theories and research to help you. You would usually see the same therapist at the same time and at the same place every week for an agreed number of weeks (though it can be open-ended). Many people find the experience of talking to someone bound by confidentiality laws, whom they don’t know and isn’t a part of their life outside of their weekly sessions, as incredibly freeing in itself. On top of that, I’ve trained for many years to help people uncover, unravel and untangle the things that keep them trapped, stuck or distressed.
This is a frequently asked question?
Therapy is often talked about as treatment for mental health issues. Depression, anxiety, panic, PTSD, eating disorders, sexual trauma, OCD, bipolar disorder, personality disorders etc. I’m trained to help with issues like these, and have many years of experiences doing so. However, a large proportion of my clients don’t have severe mental health issues, or a specific diagnosis, but would like help understanding why they feel, think and behave the way they do, and want to change. Some of the people I work with have traumatic experiences in their past that they feel might still be affecting them. Others find themselves moving from relationship to relationship, unsure why they struggle to invest in another person. Others have a constant sense of anxiety and worry in the back of their mind. Some are constantly trying to prove themselves, but feel that there is something fundamentally flawed about them. Others feel demotivated and low, and that life is meaningless. Some are constantly stressed, but just can’t seem to slow down. Others tell lies, but they’re not sure why. Some of my clients simply want to understand themselves better. The list goes on. What we know from decades of research into the effectiveness of psychotherapy and counselling, is that it works. Whatever is going on for you, there’s a good chance talking to someone about it can help. It does not mean you have “mental health issues”, or are have an illness. Shoot me an email, and we can discuss what’s going on and whether psychotherapy might help you.
This is a frequently asked question?
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Daniel’s availabilities
I’m currently available to see clients on Mondays and Fridays.