Frequently Asked Questions

Seeing a therapist offers a safe, structured space to explore what’s going on beneath the surface. Therapy can help you understand emotional patterns, manage stress, improve relationships, and make meaningful changes. We are here to help you feel better. Psychologists also assist with clinical concerns — such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health conditions — using evidence-based strategies tailored to your needs. 

Once you have familiarised yourself with our Service Agreement and explored our team, please visit the Bookings page to book your initial session. You have the option of paying at the time of booking, or at the end of your initial session. 

Upon booking, you will receive a confirmation email, then further follow up email and text reminders the day prior to your session. At the conclusion of your first session, your therapist will discuss next steps and can make a booking on your behalf at an agreed date and time. 

When seeing a psychologist, you will need a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) and referral letter from your GP if you intend on claiming medicare rebates. You do not need a MHCP or referral to see a counsellor. 

Not long at all! As we are a private service our wait times are typically short. Often, clients can make a booking and see their therapist within days. View our availability on the Bookings page. 

Individual sessions are 50 minutes. Couples sessions are 60 minutes.
Extended or double sessions can be arranged with your counsellor if needed.

Clients typically attend sessions weekly in the early stages in order to establish concerns and identify the contributing factors. This also allows time for the therapeutic alliance to develop. Often, clients then attend fortnightly or monthly to monitor progress. Alternatively, therapy can end and plans can be made to manage next steps. 

Your engagement in therapy is always your choice. We may suggest a frequency that supports your goals based on clinical judgement, but you’re in control of how often you engage.

Yes! We understand that many people simply can’t attend counselling during work hours. That’s why we offer 5pm, 6pm and 7pm bookings on selected weekdays, and 9am, 10am and 11am bookings on Saturdays. 

We offer support for challenges many adults face including depression, anxiety, personal growth and wellbeing, stress and burnout, relationship issues and career difficulties, for example. Please check our services page for a full list of areas we cover.

Our therapists approach sessions with a holistic view. We consider your personal experiences in addition to behavioural, environmental, lifestyle, cognitive and emotional factors. In order to provide you with long lasting improvements, we feel it’s important to address not just the presenting concerns but the originating and supporting reasons for them.

Our therapists use a variety of evidence-based approaches tailored to your needs, including CBT, ACT, schema therapy, mindfulness-based techniques, and the Gottman Method for couples.

All fees can be found on the Bookings page. Please note, medicare rebates for psychology sessions apply to clients who have a MHCP and referral letter from their GP. This significantly reduces the out of pocket expense by $96.65 per session

We require a minimum 48 hours’ notice of any need to change or cancel a session. The full session fee will be charged for non-attendance or cancellation with less than 48 hours’ notice. If you do not show for your scheduled session, or if you are over 25 minutes late, you will be charged the full session fee for non-attendance. By engaging the services of Head Start Counselling & Psychology you agree to the strict terms of this cancellation policy. 

In situations of genuine hardship, please arrange to discuss your situation. If sessions are missed on a consistent basis the reasons for this will be discussed and a decision made regarding your options.

Head Start Counselling & Psychology reserves the right to reschedule sessions at any time without compensation if it is deemed necessary due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances.

We encourage all clients to read our Service Agreement prior to engaging with us.

EFTPOS, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), or cash. Payment must be made at the conclusion of your session. When booking online, payment can be made via credit card using our secure online payment system. 

We offer Telehealth sessions in the event you can't attend our Geelong West room in person. Just be in contact with your therapist prior to your session to arrange a Telehealth session. Online sessions can be conducted via Cliniko or FaceTime. To access the Cliniko Telehealth platform, follow the link provided in your email. 

Our psychologists offer medicare rebates for clients with a valid MHCP and referral letter from their GP. It is up to the client to determine if their private health provides rebates.

Only if you wish to claim Medicare rebates for your sessions. In that case, you'll need a referral letter and Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP. If you prefer to pay the full session fee privately, no referral or MHCP is required.

You do not need a referral to see our counsellors.

Counsellors primarily engage in talk therapy, offering guidance, support, and a safe space to explore emotions, behaviours, and personal challenges. They assist with coping strategies, decision-making, stress management, and emotional wellbeing, often helping clients through life transitions, relationship issues, and day-to-day struggles.

Psychologists offer therapy sessions like counsellors but with a higher level of training in mental health. They are experts in human behaviour, evidence-based interventions, and the treatment of psychological disorders. Psychologists are qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of mental health disorders such as all types of anxiety and depression, in addition to burnout and long-term coping strategies and emotional resilience.

They use formal psychological assessments to better understand cognitive, emotional, and behavioural functioning, which allows for highly tailored and structured treatment plans. If you’re seeking support for a diagnosed condition, or require clinical treatment, seeing a psychologist is often the most appropriate choice.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in mental health. They are qualified to prescribe medication and often treat more complex or severe conditions that may require pharmacological support. While some psychiatrists also provide therapy, their primary focus is diagnosis, medication management, and coordinating care in cases of serious mental illness.

Yes. In some cases, having support can greatly improve therapeutic outcomes. However, please raise this with your therapist during your session to ensure all ethical and confidentiality concerns are discussed prior to an additional person attending.

Yes. Everything discussed between you and your therapist is private and kept confidential. There are however some exceptions. In the event you are determined to be a risk of harm to yourself or others, have committed or intend to commit a serious crime, or where required by law, the client-therapist confidentiality and terms of the privacy policy may be breached. This is to ensure the safety of you, and others around you, and to comply with any legal requirements (such as court orders). 

Please note, your Information is confidential and can only be shared with your permission.

Yes, you're free to change therapists if you feel they may better suit your needs. Don’t worry, we won’t take this personally! In fact, we aim to match clients with the most suitable therapist possible, so please raise any concerns you may have to ensure we get it right for you. 

Unfortunately, Head Start Counselling & Psychology is not a crisis centre, but there are supports available. If you or someone else is in danger, call emergency services immediately on 000. If faced with a serious mental health crisis, contact the Barwon Health triage line, available 24/7 for information or referral, on 1300 094 187. Alternatively, visit the nearest hospital emergency department. See our Resources pages for more information.

There are many supports available if a person cannot attend therapy or they’re in crisis.

Consider mental health helplines like Lifeline (13 11 14), Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), or the Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800). These services offer confidential support and guidance. If faced with a serious mental health crisis, contact the Barwon Health triage line, available 24/7 for information or referral, on 1300 094 187.

You could also schedule an appointment with your GP, for yourself or loved one, so they can assess the situation and provide initial support.

If it's an urgent situation or crisis, seek immediate help by calling emergency services (000) or visiting the nearest hospital emergency department. See our Resources pages for more information.

There’s plenty of parking available to the rear of the building just off Weller St. There are also other parking options on and off Pakington St just nearby. 

There are stairs to our room which some clients may find difficult to navigate. Pease contact us to discuss your needs if you are concerned about accessibility. 

At this stage, we do not see children. We only provide counselling services for adults (18) and above.