NEW CLIENT: COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED
IS IT OKAY TO GO TO THERAPY/COUNSELLING IF I AM DOING OKAY?
Of course! Some people think that they have to be doing ‘bad’ to go to counselling but that is not the case at all!
At The Counsellor Collective we love to take a preventative approach! Your relationship might be on track but we have found couples sometimes want a neutral space, to talk through some issues or gain extra communication skills. If you are after individual sessions, we have found many clients really enjoy talking to a counsellor, in the confidential neutral space within the counselling room.
You might not know why you are wanting to go to therapy or what you can get out of counselling – that’s okay! You don’t need to get a referral to see a counsellor, so you can talk directly with your counsellor who will create a neutral, confidential space to help you understand how counselling can help you.
IS THERE A ONE-SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH AT THE COUNSELLOR COLLECTIVE?
Definitely not! Our counsellors will partner with you to develop a therapy plan to meet your individual needs and goals. Every client will develop an individualised therapy plan with their counsellor, developed around what goals each client brings into the session. The plan is regularly reviewed and clients definitely have the opportunity to contribute.
HOW MANY APPOINTMENTS DO I NEED AND HOW OFTEN?
In the intake appointment each counsellor and client will come up with a plan based on the individual circumstances of the client. Ultimately, the counsellor will try and accommodate how regular the client wants their appointment. This can include weekly, fortnightly, monthly or as needed.
Appointments can be for one off sessions. This could include a debrief after a critical incident, preparation for an upcoming anniversary or event.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR PRACTICAL STRATEGIES?
We like to establish some practical strategies early in the process to help reduce short term distress as we plan to do the deeper work that will result in lasting change.
HOW DO I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH A COUNSELLOR?
We like to make it as easy as possible to access a counsellor and book your counselling session.
There are a number of options for you to book an appointment:
– The Counsellor Collective webpage has booking links for available appointments. Locate options through ‘location’ or ‘counsellor’
– Contact the counsellor directly by their phone or email
– Contact the admin by phone 0493 874 700 or email: counsellorcollective@gmail.com
– Go to the Halaxy webpage: https://thecounsellorcollective.com/book-with-us/
– Want to look at what is available at each location:MANNING: https://www.halaxy.com/profile/the-counsellor-collective-manning/location/967881
ROCKINGHAM: https://www.halaxy.com/profile/the-counsellor-collective-rockingham/location/1042931
MOUNT LAWLEY: https://www.halaxy.com/profile/the-counsellor-collective-mount-lawley/location/1140121
ONLINE: https://www.halaxy.com/profile/the-counsellor-collective-online-appointments/location/1021041
SESSIONS
Sessions are 60 minutes (unless negotiated differently with your counsellor)
ARE THERE CANCELLATION FEES?
We do like to be accommodating to change appointment times to suit your needs. We will send out a reminder email and SMS prior to your appointment. It would be helpful if you can give us as much time as possible if you know you cannot attend the appointment. There will be cancellation fees as each counsellor will set aside the time they have booked for you.
Cancellation with less than 24 hours notice will require the full fee paid – this includes no shows on the day of the appointment.
You can provide a medical certificate to your counsellor to review your fee.
OTHER FEES & PAYMENT POLICY
Fees are set and published on the website www.thecounsellorcollective.com
Medicare rebates are not available.
Anyone who provides a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) will be eligible for the concession rate.
You may be able to claim a rebate through a private health fund and we suggest you contact your fund to see if you are eligible.
Payment is due in full at the end of each session via cash, card or EFT payment by arrangement.
NDIS participants are welcome; however, please note that we cannot invoice the NDIA directly,
which means that you will need to be either an NDIS Self-Managed or Plan Managed fund.
Fund-managed NDIS participants will need to provide fund manager details for
invoicing ahead of the first scheduled appointment.
DO YOU OFFER ONLINE APPOINTMENTS?
Any session can be changed into an online or phone appointment.
We try to be as flexible as possible with online options that will suit each client (as long as the session can be done securely and confidentially).
If you find you are unable to get into the office, for whatever reason, request an online or phone appointment and your counsellor will adjust it for you.
ARE THERE AFTER HOURS OR WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE?
Yes! The Counsellor Collective offers a number of weekend and after hours (after 5pm) appointments. Please ask your counsellor or admin for further details of what is available. You can find appointment times on Halaxy or sometimes counsellors have additional times available.
CAN I TALK TO SOMEONE BEFORE I BOOK?
Yes, of course! You can either phone the admin line 0493 874 700 or email: counsellorcollective@gmail.com to ask for more information.
We offer a free 15-minute intro call with our counsellors to ask any questions you may have. You can phone or email your counsellor with their contact details on The Counsellor Collective webpage. The counsellor will make a time to talk to you personally.