Question 1

How do I know if I need counselling?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes people seek counselling when life challenges start to impact their enjoyment of life. They may notice that they begin to feel more overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, have difficulty concentrating, become increasingly irritable, or have worries that impact the ability to sleep. Sometimes previous life events resurface and impact your ability to be present. These can all be signs that your mind and body feel they are not coping and that extra support from counselling may help to move past these challenges.

Question 2

How many sessions should I have?

Accepted Answer

Counselling is different for everyone! How long it lasts depends on your needs, goals, and how often you’d like to attend. We’ll figure out a plan together, and for many people, that’s around 6-8 sessions - but it can be more or less. It’s totally flexible, so we can adjust as we go based on what feels right for you. Many of my clients will start weekly and then drop to fortnightly or monthly as things improve.

Question 3

How often should I attend counselling?

Accepted Answer

How often you attend sessions depends on your unique needs. Many clients see the most progress with a consistent routine, like weekly sessions at the same time and day. However, for some, fortnightly or monthly appointments work just as well - it’s all about what feels right for you.

Question 4

Do I need a referral?

Accepted Answer

You don’t need a referral—just jump onto the bookings page or reach out by email or phone, and we’ll get you started!

Question 5

Is there a waitlist?

Accepted Answer

I know that when life feels tough, waiting for support can make things even harder. That’s why I do my best to see clients without a waitlist. Evening and weekend spots fill up quickly, but if you have some flexibility, you’ll likely find an appointment sooner!

Question 6

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

I offer 60 minute sessions for $125 which can be either face-to-face in Caringbah (Sutherland Shire), Telehealth (online or phone), and Walk & Talk sessions (Southern Sydney). I also offer reduced-fee sessions for those experiencing financial hardship (subject to availability).

Question 7

Can I claim Medicare rebates?

Accepted Answer

No, currently the government does not provide Medicare rebates for counselling. If you hold a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your doctor, you can contact us to understand if counselling or psychology is most appropriate for your needs. Considerations can include services, waitlists, pricing, and if a diagnosis is required.

Question 8

Can I claim counselling with my health fund?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Jemima is currently registered with Bupa. If you'd like to explore using your Bupa cover for sessions, feel free to get in touch.

Question 9

Can you provide a formal diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Counsellors and psychotherapists do not diagnose. If you are specifically seeking a diagnosis then an appointment with a psychologist may be more appropriate for your needs.

Question 10

What if counselling doesn't feel right once I start?

Accepted Answer

That is perfectly fine. Sometimes it may be that you don’t connect with your counsellor or that you feel that now isn’t the right time for seeking support. If this is the case, I can support you to connect with another counsellor or support service aligned to your needs, or help you to take a pause from therapy and return when the time feels right.

Question 11

What if I need to cancel or reschedule an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Life happens and can sometimes be unpredictable. To help accommodate life challenges, cancellation or rescheduling is permitted as long as 24 hours notice from the appointment start has been provided.

If less than 24 hours notice has been provided, a cancellation fee for the full amount may be charged, or a 50% fee if rescheduling.

This policy exists to provide fairness to all involved - including flexibility for clients, sustainability for the counselling service, and to support other clients who may have liked to have booked the appointment slot.

Question 12

What ages do you work with?

Accepted Answer

I tend to keep my practice focused on clients aged 16 years and older.

Question 13

Will you keep what I say confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Counselling works best when you feel safe to openly explore your feelings. As a registered counsellor, I follow the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics, which prioritises client safety and privacy. The only exceptions are situations where there’s a risk of serious harm to you or others, or when required by law.

Frequently Asked Questions