Counselling and Therapy
Getting in touch to make an enquiry

I am a counsellor, therapist and supervisor practicing in Sydney and also in the Byron Bay region.



It is likely that we will first speak over the phone or perhaps be in touch by email.  I do not have a receptionist so you do not need to worry about whether you will have to repeat your story to another person. When you ring my mobile on 0412 518 024 you speak directly to me. If I am not available please leave me a short message with your name and number. I will ring you back as soon as I am able to respond.

When we do speak I am interested in understanding: 

• what has happened so that you are considering counselling now, 
  
• how you have you been getting by or coping to date,
  
• and what you are seeking from counselling or therapy
  
• whether you are contacting me for yourself, or as part of a couple,
  

It is also helpful for me to know how you heard of me.

In deciding whether to make an appointment, you might have some questions for me too, for example:

• about my qualifications,
  
• experience,
  
• professional memberships,
  
• how I work,
• my fees and payment,
  
• and where to find the rooms

It is OK to ask me about these things and I am happy to address your questions when we speak by phone.

If you would like to make an appointment we will arrange a suitable time, and I will forward you details of the practice location to your preferred email address.

What happens during a first appointment?
At the beginning of our first appointment I will give you some information before we start. This includes:

• the types of service I offer, 
  
• privacy and confidentiality, 
  
• appointment details, 
  
• methods of payment,
  
• addressing questions and concerns, 
  
• and consent to proceed.

In a first session I respect that you are considering whether I may be the right person to assist you with this work, and similarly I am considering how best I may also assist you. 

It is possible that I may ask you a number of questions similar to the following. Before you even see me you might find them of interest and worth considering:

• What is it that brings you for counselling?
  
• What do you hope will be different as a result of coming to see me?
  
• What do you think will help change to happen?
  
• What do you think is stopping change from happening?
  

 
If you have seen a counsellor or therapist before I may ask you:

• Did you find it helpful?
  
• Was it a good fit between you and your therapist?
  
• What was good about it? 
  
• What would need to be different this time?
  
• What did you learn about yourself that can help you now?

However I don’t offer a one size fits all approach. Rather, I tailor what I do, based upon what you tell me, so that the sessions are designed to meet your needs and help in your circumstances by using relevant therapeutic approaches.

In this sense it is a collaborative effort. In sharing the conversation we piece together an understanding of what worries you so that we can explore how best to avoid or manage crisis and live more fully.

What about further sessions?
Change can take time, especially when we are talking about what is most important to you.

At the end of the first session we will:

• review what it has been like talking, 
• what has been helpful, 
• what the focus of further sessions could be if you decide to come back. 
  

My aim is to give you a clear idea of how the sessions could proceed in order to address your concerns, though you are free to use the sessions as you wish and cover what is important at the time. 

From time to time we will periodically review what we have been talking about to check that it is on track and being of use.

Many people book further sessions. If this is also the case for you, I will normally offer you a regular time for the appointment so it is easy to remember and plan for.  At the next appointment we tend to discuss:

• how things have been between appointments
• what was helpful from the last session
• and any new developments arising. 

Together we look for insights and meaning that can help you to live better with your circumstances. This way the sessions build on each other step by step with the aim of helping you to manage better.