How Can We Help You?
Frequently Asked Questions
We have attempted to address many common questions here. If your query is not covered below, please contact us here.
There are no hard and fast rules about who needs therapy. If you are suffering with a mental health disorder, the optimal and recommended treatment plan is psychotropic medications in conjunction with appropriate therapy. Many others seek therapy because they are seeking support with some issues in their lives, or seeking psychoeducation about particular issues. The bottom line is that anyone can benefit from therapy, if they choose.
The ways that therapy can help are many and varied. From learning to cope with anxiety, learning how to ground yourself and live more mindfully, meditation, or coping with and mitigating more severe mental health symptoms.
When we are in distress, the experience can be incredibly isolating and times frightening. At the centre of the counselling experience is the counselling relationship with your therapist.
What’s the difference between a Psychotherapist and a Psychiatrist?
A Psychiatrist is a qualified medical doctor whom has done specialist training in Psychiatry. Their focus tends to be in working with acute mental health concerns, and they are specialists in both diagnosis and prescription of appropriate medications for mental health illnesses and disorders.
A Psychotherapist is also a qualified mental health professional whom offers therapy to people experiencing mental health disorders and issues. A Psychotherapist goes into a deeper level of their work with their clients. In psychotherapy we travel into the subconscious levels of a person’s psyche in a therapeutic way in order to align the client with the essence of their inner self. Psychotherapy is often longer-term work than that which is undertaken with a straight forward counsellor.
What can I expect from my first counselling session?
During our first session, which will last for an hour, there will mostly be discussion about your situation and the kind of help you may need. This is called the assessment and goal setting process. We will also spend time getting to know one another and building rapport. This is also an opportunity for you to ask as many questions as you wish, about what to expect.
During each session, I will focus on addressing the patient’s specific needs, allowing for greater flexibility between the different therapies as treatment progresses.
What happens during a therapy session?
Discussion and interchange between therapist and client; this usually starts with a discussion about how your time has been between appointments and what you would like to achieve from that day’s session.
How many sessions will I need?
Counselling is a very personal journey, unique to each individual. For some people one or two sessions is sufficient to address a time of distress. For others it may take many more. Together with your counsellor, you will develop an agreed plan of treatment, which together you will also frequently review.
Is counselling or coaching available on line?
Yes. In a nutshell, I am able to offer therapy via telephone and platforms such as Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp video, Facetime etc; although Zoom is my preferred platform due to its reliability and ease of use. The joy of technology is that it gives us many options to connect with each other. All that is needed is a good and reliable Wi-Fi service! Ideally a therapist and client would meet in person, but circumstances do not always allow for this. Online platforms can work very well for those suffering with mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
Online counselling is particularly useful when we are:
- experiencing illness
- a parent of young children
- living in remote location or a rural community
- your schedule is very tight
- you want help, but feel highly uncomfortable in new environments
- you live overseas or are traveling
Generally I do not recommend Online Counselling for those that are:
- quite unstable or psychologically unwell
- at risk to themselves or others
- under 10 years of age
Whilst the online medium is very convenient and easy to access, it is important that you
ensure you are in a space that is:
- private
- distraction or disturbance free
- comfortable – don’t forget the water & tissues
You will need:
- a computer with a camera
- earbuds or headset with a microphone (not essential, but recommended)
- strong internet access
To book a session please click the ‘book now’ button below; we will contact you to confirm your session within a short period of time.
What is coaching? Is it different to therapy?
Life coaching operates in a different manner to traditional therapy, in that it adopts a positive psychology approach instead of looking for ‘root cause’. It helps you to achieve clarity, awareness, and to make choices that are in line with your innermost desires. Coaching offers many benefits including:
- Helping you achieve vocational goals, e.g. a new job or promotion
- Identify your personal values, life goals, dreams and ideal lifestyle
- Achieve the relationships you want and deserve, both personal and professional.
- Feel calmer, happier and fulfilled
- Uncover and conquer negative thought patterns and behaviours that are holding you back
Please note that in order to undertake coaching there is an assumption and requirement that a person is of sound mind and not suffering with any mental health difficulties.
Does the practice offer simple coaching?
Yes. Not everyone requires therapy. I often use various modalities in my work with clients, however, those seeking transformational life coaching only can also receive this service in isolation, without any formal therapy occurring.
Please use the booking tab on the website, or contact Rechelle directly to arrange a suitable appointment time at rechelle@emergecounsel-coach.com
What happens if I see my counsellor in a social setting, or in public?
If you happen to see your therapist / coach in a public setting (such as a party, park, shop, concert etc), please be reassured that your therapist will not engage with you unless you choose to do so first. This is in order to protect your privacy. If you decide to engage with your therapist it is advisable not to engage in conversation about your therapy, but rather to exchange simple pleasantries. If you would like to discuss your treatment, please do so at a later date.
Can I be sure my privacy will be respected?
Everything that occurs in a therapy or coaching session is treated with the utmost confidence. Your therapist may take notes during the session, however, these notes are filed securely in a locked filing facility and are not shared with anyone (unless, in exceptional circumstances the notes are subpoenaed by a court of law).
There are however, some very important exceptions to this rule, as follows:
- If you express thoughts of harm to yourself or to others, I have a duty of care to contact an appropriate medical professional or other emergency contact (when the risk is considered significant and requires intervention from other services in order to keep you our another safe).
- I may discuss some of our work in clinical supervision with another qualified therapist, however, names are not disclosed and your identity and demographic information remains protected.
- If your records are subpoenaed by a court of law.
What is I can’t make my scheduled session due to an emergency or illness?
I understand that emergencies and things happen that render you unable to attend a scheduled session. If this occurs, please try to give 24 hours notice so that your appointment slot can be filled by someone else in need. If cancellations on a last-minute basis happen on multiple occasions, you will be respectfully asked to cover the cost of the session.
Do you work with children and adolescents?
Yes, I am able to work with children aged 10 years and over in a therapy context (coaching not available for minors).
Rechelle’s standard charge is $120 AUD per hour. However, she works on a sliding scale and is happy to negotiate if your financial circumstances do not allow for the full fee. Please contact Rechelle directly to discuss further.
Sessions can be paid for on line via Paypal or credit card. Please request details prior to your session.