Is counselling the same as psychology?

Counselling and Psychology differ in their approach to mental health. Psychology involves a broader range of mental health issues including diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and mental disorders. Whilst counselling focuses on mental health challenges, providing support and guidance to help clients focus on practical issues and develop coping strategies. Counselling does not involve formal diagnosis or assessments of mental illness or disorders, but rather emphasises a person-centred approach, focused on the client's individual perspective, experiences, and goals. If we believe that your presenting conditions require a psychological intervention, then we will refer you to an appropriate specialist for further support and assistance.

How are counselling sessions delivered?

We offer telehealth Counselling sessions Australia-wide through either phone or video. We also offer in-person Counselling sessions to our clients in Melbourne at our state-of-the-art practice in Murrumbeena, Victoria.

Is it normal to feel nervous about attending a counselling session?

It is normal to feel nervous about taking the first step towards embracing change. Our Counsellors are here not to judge you, but to help you. So remember, come to us with an open mind and let us help you on your journey to a happier and healthier you.

How will my personal information be handled?

Everything that is discussed in your counselling session is private and confidential and strictly between you and your Counsellor. Your Counsellor will protect your privacy and any information you disclose during your sessions. Clinical notes may be taken during sessions and these may be stored in an securely encrypted environment to which no other person can access other than your Counsellor and yourself should you request access to your information. Under the rare circumstance of mandatory disclosure your Counsellor may be legally required to provide limited information if requested, however this will be discussed in detail during the initial consultation session.

What can I expect from my Counsellor?

You can expect an experienced and professional, empathetic and understanding individual who will provide you with a safe and non-judgmental space where you can freely voice your thoughts, feelings and emotions and work towards making changes to improving your mental health and wellbeing. Our team are members of industry associations including the ACA (Australian Counselling Association) and have qualifications and accreditations from a variety of reputable institutions.

Do I need a referral from my GP to see a Counsellor?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none" min_height="" link=""][fusion_text] Counselling and Psychotherapy are NOT covered under the Medicare Better Access Scheme and there are no medicare rebates offered by the government for Counselling or Psychotherapy services. Therefore, you do NOT require a MHCP (mental health care plan) or GP referral to access our services or book an appointment allowing for lower waiting times and your personal circumstances are not recorded on your medical records. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Can I claim the Medicare Rebate or Private Health Insurance?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none" min_height="" link=""][fusion_text] Counselling and Psychotherapy services are NOT covered under the Medicare Better Access Scheme and there are no medicare rebates offered by the Government for Counselling or Psychotherapy services. Our low and affordable fees reflect this and we charge less than the gap cover to see a Psychologist to ensure our services are accessible by all who need it. We are registered with the Doctors Health Fund and offer rebates to members of this fund. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

How much does counselling cost?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" layout="1_2" align_self="auto" content_layout="column" align_content="flex-start" valign_content="flex-start" content_wrap="wrap" center_content="no" column_tag="div" target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" order_medium="0" order_small="0" hover_type="none" border_style="solid" box_shadow="no" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" z_index_subgroup="regular" background_type="single" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" lazy_load="avada" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_blend_mode="none" sticky="off" sticky_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" absolute="off" filter_type="regular" filter_hover_element="self" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0" transform_type="regular" transform_hover_element="self" transform_scale_x="1" transform_scale_y="1" transform_translate_x="0" transform_translate_y="0" transform_rotate="0" transform_skew_x="0" transform_skew_y="0" transform_scale_x_hover="1" transform_scale_y_hover="1" transform_translate_x_hover="0" transform_translate_y_hover="0" transform_rotate_hover="0" transform_skew_x_hover="0" transform_skew_y_hover="0" transition_duration="300" transition_easing="ease" animation_direction="up" animation_speed="1.0" animation_delay="0" last="true" border_position="all" element_content="" first="true" animation_type="fade" min_height="" link=""][fusion_title content_align="left" size="4" style_type="default" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sep_color="var(--awb-color3)" margin_right="0" margin_left="0" margin_bottom="15px" margin_top="15px" /][fusion_text animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" margin_bottom="15px"] Our fees for in-person and telehealth counselling: [/fusion_text][fusion_text animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" margin_bottom="15px" margin_top="15px"] Individual Counselling [/fusion_text][fusion_text animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" margin_bottom="30px"] Ongoing Sessions - $145.00 In Person and Telehealth Appointments 50 minutes [/fusion_text][fusion_text animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" margin_bottom="15px" margin_top="15px"] Couples Counselling [/fusion_text][fusion_text animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" margin_bottom="30px"] Ongoing Sessions - $210.00 In Person Appointments Only 50 minutes [/fusion_text][fusion_button button_el_type="link" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" accent_color="var(--awb-color1)" accent_hover_color="var(--awb-color1)" bevel_color="var(--awb-color4)" bevel_color_hover="var(--awb-color4)" border_color="var(--awb-color1)" border_hover_color="var(--awb-color1)" color="custom" icon_divider="no" icon_position="left" link="https://my.powerdiary.com/clientportal/melbournetherapyandcounselling/" stretch="default" default_stretch_value="no" target="_blank" type="flat" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="top-into-view" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" border_top="0px" border_right="0px" border_bottom="0px" border_left="0px" button_gradient_bottom_color_hover="var(--awb-custom_color_2)" button_gradient_top_color_hover="#00cad8" button_accent_color="var(--awb-color1)" button_accent_hover_color="var(--awb-color1)" button_bevel_color="var(--awb-color4)" button_gradient_top_color="var(--awb-custom_color_2)" button_gradient_bottom_color="var(--awb-custom_color_2)" padding_top="12px" padding_bottom="12px" padding_right="36px" padding_left="36px" hover_transition="text_slide_up" title="Book an Appointment - Melbourne Therapy & Counselling Centre" fusion_font_variant_button_font="400" alignment="left" margin_bottom="15px" margin_top="30px" border_radius_top_left="10px" border_radius_top_right="10px" border_radius_bottom_right="10px" border_radius_bottom_left="10px"]Book an Appointment[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

What if I need to cancel or re-schedule a session?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none" min_height="" link=""][fusion_text] We have established a cancellation policy to ensure the efficient management of our schedule and to provide fair treatment to all our clients. To ensure that we can optimise our appointment schedule, maintain reduced operational costs (including the schedule of fees we set for our clients), and accommodate other clients in need of our services, the following cancellation policy applies: 1. Booking and Payment: To secure your appointment, all appointments must be paid in full at the time of booking. This helps streamline the process and ensures your reservation is confirmed. 2. Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment will be subject to a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the session cost as these sessions cannot be rescheduled. No shows will also incur 100% of the session cost. Cancellations made between 24 and 48 hours of the scheduled appointment will be subject to a cancellation fee equal to 50% of the session cost and clients will receive a refund for the remainder of the amount paid. Cancellations made more than 48 hours from the scheduled appointment can receive a full refund (less processing fees of $5.00) of the original session fee or a credit note towards their next appointment. 3. Reschedule Policy: Re-schedules made within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment will be subject to a reschedule fee equal to 50% of the session cost as it is difficult for us to fill these spots at the last minute. 4. Refund Policy: All refunds will incur a processing fee of $5.00 AUD. This fee covers our administrative and processing fees associated with the original booking and subsequent cancellation. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

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In an Emergency

Melbourne Therapy & Counselling Centre is not an emergency or crisis service. We are unable to assist outside of your scheduled appointment. In the case of an emergency, please call:

Triple Zero on 000
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
Grief Line on 1300 845 745

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