What is The Aim of Counselling

The aim of counselling is to provide an opportunity for each individual to work towards living their life in a manner that is empowering, rewarding and offers a sense of peace and harmony in their life. Counselling can assist you to resolve conflict, offer clarity of thought and facilitate ways in which to reach a successful outcome that is appropriate for you.

Counselling creates an environment in which you feel supported to reach your desired goal, achieve personal autonomy, self empowerment and personal growth in a non-judgemental, confidential and non-threatening setting. Counselling provides a variety of theories and techniques to assist in problem resolution. Counselling can assist in addressing unresolved issues from the past or from current problems.

Why Seek Counselling?

Many people live satisfying and personally rewarding lives; however, during our lifetime we will be faced with pivotal moments in time in which we will be challenged by significant troubling and stressful events. People of all ages and backgrounds seek counselling to gain support, strategies and additional tools to better manage stress, loss and grief, emotional experiences or interpersonal challenges.

Clients usually seek counselling when they are emotionally troubled and feel that they are unable to resolve their problematic issues without professional assistance. Clients are able to discuss their concerns in a confidential manner with a non-bias professional with the aim of finding solutions that best meet their individual and specific needs.

People often begin counselling in a state of heightened anxiety and distress and wish to simply feel better about their life circumstances. They seek to conclude the session relieved of their pain. However, just helping you to feel better in the short term is not sufficient, as eventually the initial problem will resurface and you will return to your previous state of emotional pain. A major goal of the counselling process is to assist you to make changes in the way you think and behave, to challenge and confront your thoughts and actions so that you are less likely to repeat patterns that lead to negative consequences, feelings of emotional distress or difficulties in your interpersonal relationships.

Are Rebates Available?

Rebates are available for Counseling through Medibank Private top cover. A yearly limit of sessions applies. Please make direct contact to Medibank Private to ascertain your eligibility.

Kathy Brennan Counselling has a Provider Number with Medibank Private. Please check your health fund for eligibility for rebates.

Please note that payment is required in full via Eftpos or cash on the conclusion of every consultation.

MEDICARE:

The Medicare Rebate is a specialist provision implemented by the Australian Government to assist individuals with Mental Health issue. The rebate allows for six (6) subsidized sessions with a Clinical Psychologist not a counsellor. After completing a “Mental Health Checklist” with your G.P. you may be referred to a Clinical Psychologist who specialize in the field of mental health.

Issues such as parenting challenges, anger management, relationship and family counseling, mediation, communication and conflict resolution, phobias and children’s behavioral issues are not covered by the
Medibank Rebate.

Will My Information be kept Confidential?

Confidentiality is imperative to developing a trusting and effective client/therapist relationship. It is both a legal and an ethical issue. As a professional counsellor I abide by the Code of Conduct of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). Whilst confidentiality is imperative, there are times when confidential information must be divulged. Below is a list of circumstances that dictate when information must legally be reported by counsellors-

When clients pose a danger to others and themselves

When the therapist believes that a client under the age of 16 is the victim of incest, rape, child abuse or some other crime.

When the therapist determines that the client needs hospitalization.

When information is made an issue in a court action.

When clients request that their records are released to themselves or a third party.

When the counsellor is involved in professional supervision. During supervision the client’s identity remains anonymous.