People come to therapy for all kinds of reasons. Some are working through something specific: a difficult patch, a decision, a pattern they want to shift. Others come because they want to feel more like themselves, with more clarity and ease in everyday life. There's no problem you need to have before therapy is worth it. If you're curious about what it might offer you, that's reason enough to start.

Feeling a bit nervous before your first session is completely normal, and most people do. You don't need to walk in with everything figured out, or even know exactly what you want to talk about. I'll ask some questions to understand what's going on for you, and we'll go from there, at whatever pace feels right. My aim is for it to feel like a genuine conversation, not a clinical interview.

This really depends on what you're working through and what feels right for you. Some people prefer weekly sessions, especially early on, while others find more space between sessions suits them better. We'll figure out a rhythm together based on your goals, and it's something we can always revisit as things shift.

Many clients find weekly or fortnightly sessions helpful at first, moving to monthly check-ins as they build confidence and momentum. I'd suggest booking a few sessions ahead where you can, since availability, especially for regular time slots, can fill up quickly.

A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is something your GP puts together, outlining the support that might help with what you're going through. It's not essential, you're welcome to book in without one, but having one means you may be able to claim a Medicare rebate, which makes ongoing sessions more affordable.

If a plan sounds like something that could help, it's worth mentioning to your GP at your next appointment. They'll talk through how you've been going and, if a referral feels right, put a plan together for you. After your first six sessions, you'll head back to your GP for a review, and depending on your plan, you may be eligible for up to ten subsidised sessions in a calendar year.

If you have a valid Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $101.55 per standard session for a registered psychologist (current as of mid-2026; Medicare rebate amounts are reviewed annually, so it's worth confirming this figure directly with Medicare if it's been a while since you checked). After the rebate, your out-of-pocket cost for a standard session is typically around $193.45.

If you have private health cover, it's worth checking with your insurer to see what you're eligible to claim and how. You can claim a session either through Medicare with a Mental Health Care Plan, or through your private health fund, depending on your cover, but not both for the same session. Which option makes more sense for you will depend on your particular policy and circumstances.

A standard 50-minute session is $295, whether held face-to-face in Lane Cove or via Telehealth. Longer 75-minute sessions, often useful for initial consultations or more in-depth work, are $442.50. Fees are payable at the time of your session; I accept cash and credit card (there's no EFTPOS facility).

Life happens, and I understand that plans change unexpectedly. If you need to cancel, reschedule, or you're unable to attend for any reason, including illness, I ask for at least 48 hours' notice. This also applies to missed appointments. If you're feeling unwell or simply can't make it into the office, I'm always happy to switch a face-to-face session to Telehealth instead, so you don't need to cancel at all. Once a time is booked, it's held especially for you, and with such short notice, it's rarely possible to offer that space to someone else, including others who may have wanted that slot. Out of respect for everyone's time, changes made within 48 hours will be charged the full session fee.