Frequently Asked Questions

Psychotherapy is a broad field with many different approaches but, put simply, it’s what most people are referring to when they talk about “therapy.”

Beginning with Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis and evolving into more modern approaches, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) or person-centred therapy (PCT), psychotherapy is the art and science of creating human change through relationship.

Psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, and other mental health professionals may all practice what we’d call “psychotherapy,” but the training and beliefs they bring to this practice diverge significantly.

If you’re interested in my specific training and approach, please read the About Me page, or message me your question.

Yes, there is a lot of evidence that psychotherapy is helpful for most mental health issues. While cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is commonly thought to be the most effective therapy, there is increasing evidence that other forms of therapy are just as effective, if not more. Indeed, some research suggests that CBT has become less effective over time, prompting the need for alternative therapies. Luckily, research into psychodynamic therapies, somatic therapies, mentalisation, and meta-cognitive based therapies all show that these approaches can be highly effective, particularly when used by a competent therapist.

Integrative psychotherapy is an attempt to find what works from different therapeutic models and bring the most useful elements together into a specific approach for each client. Different forms of integration exist, from technical eclecticism to theoretical integration, but they are all underpinned by the belief that no single therapy is perfect for every client and every issue.

I bring an integrative approach to all the work that I do, based on an understanding that different modalities and techniques will be appropriate for different clients at different times. Rather than dogmatically adhere to any one school, I prefer to focus on seeking feedback from my clients and to take the time for professional reflection, working to build a collaborative relationship and review our progress over time.

In my practice I most frequently use psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, somatic experiencing, and Integrative Attachment Therapy. These approaches all have evidence showing that they are effective for attachment issues, anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, borderline personality disorder, anti-social personality disorder, and other common mental health issues.

I am trained in an integrative approach, which is underlined by the belief that the most important thing is to focus on delivering Plain Old Therapy. By this I mean building an increasingly strong relationship that deepens empathy, working together to develop a collaborative therapeutic plan and goals, and regularly reviewing these during our time together.

Put simply, I’m focused on what is going on between you and me, what this tells me about what you need, and how we can shape our relationship more and more towards meeting these needs.

If you’d like more details on my philosophy and approach, please read the About Me page or message me with a question.

As well as my current therapeutic practice, I have experience working with highly complex clients, including over three years working in mental health support in both inpatient (residential) and outpatient (community) settings. I’ve also provided intensive support to people experiencing drug-related distress at music festivals, often in states of psychological crisis or acute physical vulnerability. My work across these settings has included people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, psychosis, self-harm, suicidality, and many other severe mental health conditions.

If I don’t believe that I’m qualified or experienced enough to help you with your issue, I will refer you on to a more qualified therapist.

You can learn about my training on the About Me page or send me an email with any questions you have.

I charge $150 per 50-minute session.

If you think you’ll need 10 sessions or less in a year, it might be cheaper for you to get a Mental Health Treatment Plan and be referred to a psychologist.

However, if you have an issue that is going to take more time to resolve, it will be increasingly more affordable to see a psychotherapist (see example below).

This is because a large portion of a psychologist’s fee is covered by the Medicare rebate (usually around $90) that is paid when you get a Mental Health Treatment Plan. This only applies to a maximum 10 sessions per year, so after this period ends you’ll have to pay the full fee yourself.

10 sessions

Psychologist: $140 per session (minus $90 Medicare rebate) =$1400

Psychotherapist: $150 per session = $1500

20 sessions

Psychologist: $140 (minus $90 Medicare rebate) for first 10 sessions, then $230 (full fee without Medicare rebate) for additional 10 sessions = $3700
Psychotherapist: $150 per session = $3000

In Australia, psychologists need a master’s degree to practice, and are taught how to undertake other psychological activities, such as conducting quantitive research or providing psychological assessments. Psychotherapists are not taught these skills, and instead their study is focused on a much deeper training in the history, theories, and skills of psychotherapy. As a result, while many psychologists are good therapists, generally they have received a lot less training in how to provide therapy than most psychotherapists do.

All in all, though, the most important determinants of what makes a good therapist is having good character, high-quality training, and a commitment to life-long learning.

For a more detailed explanation of the differences between these two professions, read this blog post.

Emergence is a concept from the field of systems thinking, which describes how new possibilities arise when parts are organised in a new way. From this reorganisation emerges a pattern that was not present in the lower levels, creating emergent properties.

An example of this is the human body, which emerges out of the interaction between different organs, tissue, and cells. Digestion, running, and speaking are all emergent properties that are made possible by the organisation of the body’s parts working together.

Put simply, emergence is complexity arising from simplicity, and order arising from chaos.

In therapy, what I seek to achieve is to help in the process of your emergence, to allow for a new type of flourishing that was not previously possible. This may be through the reduction of suffering, through the discovery of new capabilities, or through enabling your contribution to something greater than your individual self.

In essence, my aim in therapy is to aid in the realisation of your emergent potential.