Question 1

What is counselling?

Accepted Answer

Counsellors provide a trusted relationship and welcoming environment for you to talk through any tension or struggle in your life, helping you find more mental ease and clarity. Sessions can be held in-person or via telehealth, where we will listen to you without judgement and help you explore whatever's on your mind.

Question 2

When should I seek a counsellor?

Accepted Answer

Often people see a counsellor when they're seeking something in their life to change, so they can feel happier and more at peace. You may be facing a particular dilemma you'd like support with, or more broadly may wish to improve your overall sense of wellbeing and happiness. We often help people better cope with things like stress, overwhelm, burnout, grief, anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse, behaviour change, addiction, chronic pain, exploring gender identity, and all kinds of life transitions such as parenthood, career changes, health crises, relationship struggles and personal development goals.

If you’re unsure if counselling is for you, we welcome you to reach out and give us a call on 0493 522 614 so we can chat more about what’s involved and how we might be able to help.

Question 3

How can counselling help me?

Accepted Answer

We can’t always change what’s happening in our lives, but we can change how we process, perceive, and experience it. Counselling offers a safe space for you to better understand what’s really going on in your inner world, lift any weight off your shoulders, discover tools to help you cope through challenges, and empower you to make decisions about what’s best for yourself to ensure you're living your most fulfilling life.

Question 4

What clients do you work with?

Accepted Answer

We offer both individual and couples counselling sessions.

We support people from all walks of life, including children aged 10 and above, adolescents, and adults right through to elderly clients seeking end-of-life support. We also often work with NDIS participants.

Our person-centred philosophy empowers all clients to be the experts in their own lives, so no matter your age or experience in life, we’re here to walk alongside you while you discover and strengthen your own inner light and strength.

Question 5

How are sessions delivered? Do you offer telehealth or in-person sessions?

Accepted Answer

We offer 50-minute counselling sessions in-person (80 minutes for the first couples counselling session) at our rooms in various locations across Highton and Bannockburn, as well as Telehealth, in line with our desire to make sessions as accessible as possible.

Question 6

How do I book a session? Do I need a referral from my GP?

Accepted Answer

No referrals are needed - you’re welcome to book an appointment for yourself directly by filling out our booking request.

Additionally we also welcome referrals from case managers, support coordinators, allied health professionals and family members. Simply fill out a booking request or feel free to call us on 0493 522 614 if you’d like to discuss further.

Question 7

Do you have a waitlist?

Accepted Answer

Hopefully not. We are pleased to offer open books for new clients, currently with no waiting periods. Anyhow, please check our booking availability.

Question 8

How much does a counselling session cost? Is there a Medicare rebate available if I have a Mental Health Care Plan (MGCP) from my GP?

Accepted Answer

Fees for a 50-minute individual counselling session range from $180 (Online or in-person).
 
As counsellors we are not eligible for rebates under the Government’s Mental Healthcare Plan (MHCP) scheme. MHCP’s cover partial fees for certain mental health services such as psychology or psychiatry for a limited amount of sessions, meaning there is usually still an out-of-pocket cost for those services. We aim to match our fees in order to remain as affordable as we can for our clients, and continue to advocate with our fellow counselling colleagues to become included in Government rebates in future.

We strongly believe counselling should be accessible for as many people as possible. If you are considering counselling but concerned about fees, please don’t hesitate to contact us as we may be able to arrange a payment plan that works for you.

Question 9

How many counselling sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

Naturally, this is a very common question, but unfortunately there’s no clear answer – it’s like asking how long a piece of string is! Every human is completely different in terms of the experiences we go through in life, as well as how we process these. At Bo Tree Counselling we are always guided by what is best for you as a client, and it is always your decision on how many sessions you would like. Some clients pop in for a few sessions and find they’ve achieved what they’d like out of counselling, and others prefer an ongoing relationship for a much longer duration.

After our first couple of sessions together we can usually have a better idea of what might be going on and what you’d like to get out of counselling, but there’s never any pressure to come for a certain number of sessions and ultimately, it's up to whatever feels right for you.

Question 10

What’s the difference between counselling, psychology, and psychiatry?

Accepted Answer

While there are some overlapping similarities in these therapies, there are also differences in approaches which are important to consider when selecting what might be best for you and your goals.

Counselling focuses on alleviating stresses and struggles in your life, offering a safe space for you to explore what’s on your mind and discover more mental ease, peace, and clarity. We find that people both with and without mental illness greatly benefit from counselling as a way to discover coping mechanisms, lighten the load, achieve goals and feel happier. Rather than focusing on a certain diagnosis, we are guided by whatever is going on your life and supporting you through whatever might be weighing you down.

However, if you’re seeking an official diagnosis of a mental condition, or targeted treatment of a more complex psychological diagnosis, we recommend seeing a psychologist or a psychiatrist. As medically trained doctors, psychiatrists can also prescribe medication as treatment where appropriate. Often, as counsellors, we work alongside psychologists and/or psychiatrists to support an individual’s needs.

Question 11

I’m a bit nervous – what can I expect from my first counselling session? Is there anything I should do to prepare?

Accepted Answer

Welcome – we look forward to meeting you soon! It’s very normal to be nervous before counselling, so please don’t worry if you come in feeling a little flustered – we’re absolutely used to it and that’s why we’re passionate about creating a warm, safe space where you can ease in. There’s no pressure on you to show up in a certain way or having done any preparation, simply be yourself and we will be guided by you on whatever makes you feel comfortable in the moment.

We also welcome you to call us on 0493 522 614 to ask any questions you might have before your session if that helps to put your mind more at rest. Your comfort and safety is always our priority, and rest assured, however you’re feeling is perfectly normal and welcome in our space.

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