Frequently Asked Questions

Counselling is a valuable resource that provides holistic support, assisting individuals in various ways. Counselling provides a supportive, transformative space where individuals can enhance their emotional well-being, develop valuable life skills, and achieve a more fulfilling life. It's a collaborative journey towards self-discovery, growth, and improved mental health.

Once you have familiarised yourself with our Service Agreement and explored our counsellors, please visit the Bookings page to book your initial consultation. You have the option of paying for your consultation at the time of booking, or at the end of your initial consult. Upon booking, you will receive a confirmation email, then further follow up email and text reminders the day prior to your consultation. At the conclusion of your first consultation, your counsellor will discuss future consults and can make a booking on your behalf at an agreed date and time. 

No. You do not need a Mental Health Care Plan approved by a general practitioner prior to seeing Head Start Counselling.

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

Consultations range from 50-60-minutes depending on the type. Standard consults are 50-minutes. This is to allow time for the counsellor to complete any admin required and prepare for the next client. Couples Counselling consults are 60-minutes in duration. Extended consults or ‘double sessions’ can be discussed with your counsellor. 

Clients typically attend consultations 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, counselling can end and plans can be made to manage next steps. 

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 weekdays, and 9am, 10am and 11am bookings on Saturdays. 

Head Start Counselling in Geelong offers support for common life challenges many adults face including 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.

Head Start Counselling is not a psychology practice and its counsellors are not psychologists. Head Start Counselling does not assess, diagnose and treat mental health disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, personality disorders or bipolar disorder.

Our counsellors 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 counsellors use a variety of evidence-based approaches tailored to your needs, including CBT, ACT, schema therapy and mindfulness based techniques.

All fees can be found in our Service Agreement and on the Bookings page. 

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

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

Head Start Counselling reserves the right to reschedule consultations 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 Head Start Counselling. 

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

We offer Telehealth consultations should you be unable to attend the Geelong West counselling room in person. Just be in contact with your counsellor prior to your session to arrange a Telehealth consult. Online consultations can be conducted via Cliniko or FaceTime. To access the Cliniko Telehealth platform, follow the link provided to you by Head Start Counselling in your email. 

Medicare and private health rebates aren't available with Head Start Counselling. Your GP can provide you with options for rebatable psychology services if you prefer. However, there are limits and considerations with rebates. They cover limited sessions, often don't cover the full fee, and may be documented on your mental health record.

No, referrals or Mental Health Care Plans from your GP are not required to see our counsellors.

Head Start Counselling offers support for common life challenges many adults face including 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.

Please note, Head Start Counselling in Geelong is not a psychology practice and its counsellors are not psychologists. Head Start Counselling, does not assess, diagnose and treat mental health disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, personality disorders or bipolar disorder.

Counsellors primarily engage in talk therapy, offering guidance, support, and a safe space for individuals to explore emotions, behaviours, and personal challenges. They assist in problem-solving, coping strategies, and enhancing overall well-being through conversation-based therapy.

Psychologists provide therapy sessions like counsellors but often employ a broader range of therapeutic techniques. Additionally, psychologists conduct psychological assessments to diagnose mental health disorders or evaluate cognitive and emotional functioning. These assessments help tailor treatment plans.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors specialising in mental health. They can prescribe medication and often manage more severe or complex mental health conditions requiring pharmacological interventions. Psychiatrists may also offer therapy, but their primary focus lies in medication management for mental health disorders.

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

Yes. Everything discussed between you and your counsellor 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-counsellor 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 counsellors 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 counsellor possible, so please raise any concerns you may have to ensure we get it right for you. 

Unfortunately, Head Start Counselling 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 counselling 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 the counselling room which some clients may find difficult to navigate. Pease contact Head Start Counselling to discuss your needs if you are concerned about accessibility. 

Unfortunately, Head Start Counselling does not see children. We only provide counselling services for adolescents (15+) and above.