Therapy can be helpful for most people. It is not necessary to have a diagnosed mental illness to attend therapy or to reap the benefits of therapy. The following is a non-exhaustive list of concerns that someone might bring to therapy:

•   A diagnosed mental illness such as Major Depressive Disorder or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
•   Relationship and interpersonal problems
•   Poor self-confidence
•   Poor body image and disordered eating
•   Stress and burnout
•   Substance misuse and addiction
•   Behavioural problems, such as compulsive spending, eating, gambling, sexual activity and so on
•   Lack of direction and purpose
•   Grief and loss
•   Childhood trauma and neglect
•   Overwhelming or confusing emotions
•   Intimacy issues (both sexual and emotional intimacy)
•   Stage of life transitions

The short answer to that question is yes.

There is a large body of scientific evidence that shows the effectiveness of psychotherapy. The results of this research consistently show that psychotherapy is more effective than no treatment and on par with, if not more, effective than medications (Wampold, 2010).

Therapy can be helpful for anyone, the tricky part is finding the right therapy, and more importantly, the right therapist for you.

Not all therapists are going to be the right fit for you. You or someone you know may have experienced therapy as unhelpful, or possibly even upsetting. Therapy may be unhelpful for one (or more) of the following reasons:

1. The therapist seems cold, disinterested, distracted, or judgmental;
2. The therapist does not take sufficient time to understand and express their understanding of your experiences/concerns;
3. The therapist seems to be more interested in their own theories or interpretations than in you and your experiences; 

These are a few questions to keep in mind when deciding if a therapist is right for you:

•   Do you feel listened to?
•   Do you feel reasonably comfortable opening up to your therapist? Or do you worry that you will be judged or misunderstood?
•   Does your therapist explain the process of therapy to you in a way that makes sense to you?
• Does your therapist collaborate with you when deciding the goals and tasks of therapy?

A standard session runs for 50 to 60 minutes and costs $200. I offer reduced fees for certain clients who cannot afford the standard fee and this can be discussed with me at the outset of therapy.

You can access rebates from Medicare with a GP referral and Mental Health Care Plan. The Medicare rebate for Head to Heart Psychology is $92.90 per session for 10 sessions per calendar year.

Some private health insurance policies cover psychological services. The amount of cover varies depending on the policy. Make sure to check if psychological services are covered under your health insurance policy.

Please make sure to provide at least 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule appointments. A late cancellation fee applies to cancellations with less than 24 hours notice.

You do not need a referral to make an appointment. However, if you wish to claim Medicare rebates you will need a referral and a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP.

When you make an appointment with your GP make sure to specify that you are requesting a referral to a psychologist so that the GP completes the needed paperwork.