Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about my gay psychotherapy and counselling services? Here are my most frequently asked questions. If your question is unanswered below, please call us at (02) 8968 9323.
How soon can I get a counselling appointment?
The wait times can vary depending on when you’re available.
If you’re flexible with your availability, I can likely see you within the next 1-2 weeks.
After-hours appointments are often in high demand, so I usually have a waitlist for those times.
Please call us at (02) 8968 9323 to inquire about my availability or join my waitlist for the time you want. You can also book online with our online appointment scheduler.
What are your counselling fees?
You can see the list of my current fees when you book an appointment online.
Do you offer reduced counselling fees?
I am a sole practitioner and not funded by any government bodies, so I don’t offer reduced fees.
If you’re experiencing financial hardship, please check your local area for free or low-cost government-funded counselling services.
Do you offer Medicare or health fund rebates?
I do not offer Medicare or health fund rebates and don’t work with mental health care plans.
How long are counselling sessions?
For individuals, the initial session is a 60-minute session, and ongoing sessions are 50 minutes in length.
For couples, I offer 60-minute or 90-minute sessions.
For the best results, I recommend beginning couples therapy with a 90-minute session. Ongoing couples sessions are generally 60 minutes in length.
What is the frequency of sessions?
I meet with individuals and couples according to your goals for therapy. At the end of the first session, we decide what works best for your schedule and therapeutic goals.
I use an enrolment system for appointments and meet with my clients on the same day and time either weekly or fortnightly. We’ll discuss alternative options when we meet for clients who can’t meet at the same time and day every fortnight.
Sometimes, I meet with clients weekly when they have limited time for ongoing sessions, their relationship is in crisis, or they want to resolve their issues in a shorter time frame.
What happens in the first session?
In the first counselling session, I will work with you to understand your current situation and your therapy goals.
I will conduct a comprehensive assessment, provide feedback, and suggest the next steps at the end of the first session. You can then decide whether to proceed with therapy.
In the initial session, you’ll experience how I work and should have a good sense of how we can work together.
Many clients feel hopeful and relieved because they have taken the first step in resolving their issues. They often report experiencing new awareness and insights from this initial session.
How long do I have to be in therapy?
The length of therapy can depend on several factors, including the type and complexity of the issue you want to address, your motivation for change, and your current circumstances.
Research suggests that it can take 3-4 months to experience long-lasting change. However, many clients notice positive changes after the first couple of sessions. Some clients may require longer-term therapy, which may last a year or more.
In my experience, the clients that have the most positive outcomes from therapy attend sessions regularly for at least 6-12 months.
Where is your office located?
I provide all online counselling sessions via Zoom so you can attend from the comfort of your own private space. Zoom is a video-conferencing software that is confidential, secure, and easy to use.
If you can travel to my Northern Rivers office, I see clients in person from my Bangalow office in the Byron Bay Shire of NSW.
What are your office hours?
I see online clients Monday through Wednesday from 9:00AM to 6:30PM, with the last appointment beginning at 5:30pm.
I see clients from my Bangalow office on Thursdays.
After-hours appointments are my most in-demand times, so there is often a waitlist for these slots.
What payments do you accept?
Sydney Gay Counselling is a cashless business and accepts all major credit cards, or we can debit your preferred bank account.
We will collect your credit card or bank details before the first session and debit your credit card or bank account after each session.
Any other questions we didn’t answer?
Call us at (02) 8968 9323 or email us, and my assistant will gladly answer your questions.
You can also book a free 15-minute phone inquiry call via my online appointment scheduler.
Ready to book a counselling appointment?
Click the button below.
