What is the difference between psychology and counselling?

Psychologists are trained in psychological assessment, diagnosis and a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches. With a mental health care plan from your GP, you can get a medicare rebate on the cost of accessing psychology services. Counsellors are trained in counselling theory and therapeutic techniques (many of which are used by psychologists). We do not diagnose people with mental health issues and we tailor approaches flexibly, according to client needs. Both psychology and counselling involve helping individuals improve their mental health and well-being. Psychology tends to have a broader scope, encompassing assessment and treatment of various psychological disorders, while counselling is often more focused on addressing specific issues and providing practical guidance and support to individuals facing life challenges.

How long will it take to get in to see a counsellor?

We have no waiting time. We have a team of counsellors, specialising in different areas, who work together to ensure that clients are seen promptly.

What can I expect in my first counselling session?

Your counsellor will be gathering information by asking questions about your background, history and current concerns to better understand you. They will create a comfortable and non-judgemental space for you to share openly with them. Confidentiality is taken very seriously at Sydney Counselling Space. This will be discussed by your counsellor. Together, you can identify and prioritise goals for therapy and develop a plan.

How long will therapy last?

Part of the initial information-gathering process will be to determine a therapy plan. Again, this is a collaborative process that will depend on your goals and situation. Together with your counsellor, you can create the roadmap for future sessions.

How often will I need to attend sessions?

Commonly, sessions occur weekly for several weeks and then move to fortnightly sessions. Of course, this is not set in stone and, again, will depend on your goals and how you would like to proceed with the counselling process. Sometimes, when the goal is to achieve something relatively simple, only a couple of sessions will be required.

What approaches or techniques do you use?

At Sydney Counselling Space we take a client-centred approach and this means that we choose techniques to suit each person and situation. This can include CBT, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, emotion-focused therapy and trauma-informed therapy. We will also employ psychotherapy techniques when a client requires conscious awareness of how their family of origin and attachment styles are influencing current behaviours. We believe in psycho-education, meaning that your counsellor will be clear and transparent about what they believe is necessary and will tell you the why and the how.

How do I know if I need counselling?

Counselling is for anybody who needs or wants a non-judgemental and empathetic person to talk to and who wishes to be listened to. Some people need counselling because they have mental health challenges that need addressing, others want counselling to help them with relationship issues. These days, counsellors are consulted for decision-making, achieving work-life balance or for the maintenance of their emotional well-being. One need not be in crisis to seek the guidance of a counsellor. If you wish to speak to us about your situation, we offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. This might help make a decision.

What happens if I need to cancel an appointment?

If you need to cancel an appointment, that’s OK. For the courtesy of your counsellor and for the benefit of other clients who might be waiting for a spot, please ensure that you let us know at least 24 hours before your appointment. We are happy to reschedule to a more convenient time for you.

Will my information be shared with anyone else?

Your information will not be shared with anyone else. We have a clear confidentiality policy. Like all counsellors, we keep our notes securely stored and are only required, by law, to share them in extenuating circumstances. If this were to happen, we would always talk to you about it first.

How will I know when it’s time to end counselling?

Throughout the counselling process, your counsellor will check in with you regarding your assessment of the effectiveness of therapy. At any time, feel free to express your thoughts about what is going well, or what you would like to change. Once goals are achieved and you feel that you have learnt effective strategies to maintain your emotional well-being, the counselling process will come to an end.