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CounselLing

Counselling is available to adults, the elderly, children over ten years of age and adolescents.. This service is non-crisis. This means that if an individual is in a crisis state and/or situation, they would require crisis support as a priority over general counselling support. Once the crisis is averted, then they may be more suited to general counselling support. 

For children to access counselling, they need to be aged ten years or above. Children must be able to engage in talk with the therapist and the therapist will need parental or caregiver consent. If a child is referred for counselling, the parent must be in attendance with the child for at least the initial consultation. 

Sessions with children primarily involve talk as well as various activities to help them engage and develop skills in managing emotions. 

Children and teens build social skills and emotional intelligence as they grow but some kids have emotions or behave in ways that impact negatively on their wellbeing. They will be in a safe space which is especially for them, to help them process their thoughts and feelings, express them and learn skills to manage their mental health. Where there are significant behavioural issues, or barriers that inhibit them from engaging with the therapist, then, alternative support may need to be considered. The individual is not pressured to engage if they are not ready or able to do so. 

Counselling is a two-way street, as what a person puts into it, they get out of it. The therapist is all about providing genuine support and an environment where a person can talk openly and work towards improving their wellness and knowledge of themselves. 

If an individual has a substance addiction, and the addiction impacts them on a daily basis and inhibits their ability to function quite severely, it would be most suited for that individual to access more specific specialist support for addiction via a drug and/or alcohol support service. 

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Due to capacity issues, the therapist is no longer taking new referrals for NDIS. Also, the therapist does not work with individuals under private billing, nor under insurance cover. 

Therapy sessions involve note taking by the therapist. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used to assist the therapist to generate a note from a session. This is discussed at initial consult and consent is obtained before using an AI tool. 

Counselling involves various therapy techniques and interventions. Here are some of the main approaches:

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

  • Psychoeducation

  • Relaxation Training (calming and breathing techniques, meditation)

  • Skills Training in relation to managing trauma reactions, anger, stress, anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, bullying at school or in the workplace. Skills training can also help manage symptoms of conditions such as bipolar, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, and other diagnosed conditions such as eating disorders, PTSD, PND, OCD, adjustment disorder, alcohol and substance misuse. 

  • Mindfulness

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Motivational Interviewing 

  • Play Therapy

  • Trauma Informed

  • Narrative

Counselling sessions involve a clinical element. It helps to have information on mental health history, formal diagnosis, medication prescribed, formal support services involved, and an identified emergency contact person. 

 

If a person is considered at risk of harm to themselves or others, they will be supported to access crisis support via a referral to ACCESSLINE NSW on 1800 800 944 or to access more immediate treatment by contacting 000 for an ambulance or to attend their nearest hospital. 

Counselling is private and confidential however, if an individual's safety is at significant risk, the therapist is obligated ethically and morally to share information in order to assist them to get the help they need and deserve. 

Therapist rents a space at Connection Medical Centre in Tumut and is there for sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday every week and on the first Friday of every month. Therapist provides telehealth sessions on Fridays every week. 

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