Question 1

Preliminary Phone Consultation

Accepted Answer

To help you decide if you are ready to begin therapy, we offer a free 10-minute phone consultation. We can discuss the problems you are experiencing that may be related to stress, depression and anxiety, and how counselling may benefit you.

You have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have and together we can decide whether ours is the best counselling and therapy service for you.

Question 2

First Therapy Session

Accepted Answer

What our first therapy session entails will depend on your unique circumstances and needs and how stress, depression and/or anxiety are affecting your life.

The primary goals of the first counselling session are to establish a working relationship and to determine and address your immediate needs. If you are feeling anxious due to a current crisis, we will work to help you overcome it as quickly as possible. Otherwise, we may spend time talking about the history of your problems and the role stress and anxiety have played in your life. We will discuss your goals and plans and decide on the best course of action for addressing your problems and offering psychological support.

More than anything, you will feel a sense of relief and hope after your first therapy sessions.

Question 3

Therapy Sessions 2–6

Accepted Answer

An increased sense of hope and relief are likely to continue in this phase of counselling. In our therapy sessions, we will work together to get a more detailed picture of the stress, depression and anxiety in your life.

This will include how it impacts you day-to-day and how it fits into the context of your life – present and past. We will explore the causes of your distress and find the best ways of resolving it.

With psychological support you will experience new insights and shifts in perspective but also positive changes to how you feel and behave.

Question 4

Continuing Counselling and Psychotherapy

Accepted Answer

Typically at this point in counselling, your immediate situation will have improved. You may choose to continue in therapy to work on making deeper and lasting changes that will improve all aspects of your life.

Where relevant, we will continue to work on past trauma or loss, and behaviours and feelings that may be causing difficulties, so that you can resolve not only your immediate problems but also reduce the likelihood of them occurring again.

Question 5

Psychodynamic Therapy

Accepted Answer

The psychodynamic approach to therapy involves becoming aware of and resolving difficult or painful thoughts and feelings that are having a negative effect. It recognises that some of these may be hidden or unconscious, with possible roots in your past experiences and relationships.

Therefore, in addition to exploring those issues worrying you directly, we take note of any others that may manifest, either physically (e.g. headaches, tightness in the chest), behaviourally (e.g. procrastinating, using alcohol) or emotionally (e.g. bursts of anger or tears that seem misplaced or an overreaction.)

Therapy of this kind builds your capacity to be open and to tolerate feelings. This, in turn, brings health benefits and enables you to live life more fully – neither being regularly overwhelmed by feelings nor blocked or numb to them.

Psychodynamic therapy will help you deepen your insight (intellectually and emotionally) so that you may make more informed choices about the way you want to live your life. It will help you achieve a greater sense of control and stronger self-identity. It will also help you establish and sustain healthy relationships and pursue your passions through work and leisure. It will help you feel stronger and achieve an overall greater sense of well-being.

Question 6

Mindfulness in Therapy

Accepted Answer

Mindfulness is an approach used in therapy that assists you in being more aware of what you are experiencing from moment to moment so that you can be more in tune with your thoughts, behaviours, feelings, and sensations to enable you to have greater freedom and capacity to respond and be as you would wish.

Mindfulness also builds your resilience so that you are better able to cope with the stresses and strains of life. It can help reduce reactivity and develop greater peace and stillness of your mind and body on a day to day basis.

Ours is a structured but flexible counselling approach based on proven methods. As therapists, our commitment is to work with you in a manner that best suits your needs and goals. Our style is transparent and collaborative – together we will find the right pace and approach to working together.

Question 7

What are your COVID-19 arrangements?

Accepted Answer

We are adhering to social distancing and cleaning advice for in-person sessions of Sydney counselling. We also offer sessions remotely via online video-conferencing or telephone calls as best suits your needs.

We have written a blog on how to get the most out of online counselling and therapy.

Question 8

How long is the wait for an appointment?

Accepted Answer

If your own schedule allows you flexibility, one of our Sydney counsellors may have an opening straight away. However, in busy periods the wait is two to three weeks.

Question 9

Do you offer appointments out of hours for Sydney counselling?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer early morning, evening and Saturday counselling appointments in Sydney, NSW. These session times are in greater demand. If you can only come out of hours, there may be a longer wait for your first appointment.

Question 10

How long are the counselling and therapy sessions?

Accepted Answer

Sydney counselling/therapy sessions are 50 minutes.

Question 11

How frequently will I see my therapist?

Accepted Answer

If you decide to book an appointment with us, we offer you a weekly counselling session time that becomes yours for as few or as many weeks as you need. We do our best to accommodate your circumstances.

Question 12

What are the fees?

Accepted Answer

Your therapist will charge you a standard fee for weekly 50-minute sessions. Our fees are comparable to other qualified and experienced psychotherapists and counsellors in Sydney. Please contact us for more information.

As private unsubsidised practitioners, we do not have a sliding fee scale or concessions.

Question 13

What about private health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Depending on your health fund and level of cover, you may be able to claim on your insurance — it is worth calling your insurer to check if you are covered for counselling and/or psychotherapy.

If so, each of us has or is eligible for, a provider number, and we can issue you a receipt so you can make a claim.

Question 14

What about a Medicare rebate?

Accepted Answer

As counsellors and psychotherapists, our service is not covered by Medicare. You may wish to ask your GP about a mental health diagnosis and a Mental Health Treatment Plan and about practitioners, such as psychologists, who may be registered with Medicare.

Question 15

Do you offer online counselling and therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer online counselling. Many people find it optimal to attend sessions in person, however online therapy is an effective alternative.

Online therapy is ideal for people who live in remote, non-English speaking, or other locations where accessing therapy in person, would otherwise not be possible.

It is also a good option on occasions when business travel or shift work is a factor, or when clients move away and wish to continue to see their therapist online.

If you can't make it in for Sydney CBD counselling, let's talk about how you can get the help you want remotely.

Question 16

How do I know if Jacqueline Stone & Associates is the right service for me?

Accepted Answer

If you are wondering about getting help, we offer a free 10-minute phone consultation to address any queries you may have and to discuss how counselling with us may benefit you.

Question 17

What’s the difference between a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a counsellor, etc? Who should I see?

Accepted Answer

A psychiatrist is medical doctor with specialist training in mental health/illness. People with serious mental illness and/or those requiring specialist management of medication will be referred by their GP to see a psychiatrist.

A psychiatrist, along with other mental health practitioners, including counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists and social workers may offer counselling and therapy.

Check that a practitioner has training and experience relevant to your specific needs.

If you are looking for Sydney counselling, therapy or psychotherapy arrange a free call to discuss your needs.

Question 18

I’ve never seen a therapist before. Do I need or want counselling?

Accepted Answer

It is common to be unsure. You can read about The 7 Most Common Questions about Coming to Counselling and Therapy. And we are happy to speak with you to help with this question.

We offer a free 10-minute phone consultation to address any queries you may have and to discuss how counselling with us may benefit you.

Question 19

Do you have therapists/ counsellors in Sydney, NSW?

Accepted Answer

We offer therapy and counselling in Sydney at our offices in the Trust Building at 155 King Street.

How We Work

Sydney Counselling and Therapy

Whether it’s depressed moods, bursts of anger or sudden tears,
you can overcome stress and anxiety.

What to Expect from Therapy/Counselling

Counsellors in Sydney

Preliminary Phone Consultation

First Therapy Session

Therapy Sessions 2–6

Continuing Counselling and Psychotherapy

Therapy Approaches

Psychodynamic Therapy

Mindfulness in Therapy

Sydney Counselling FAQ

What are your COVID-19 arrangements?

How long is the wait for an appointment?

Do you offer appointments out of hours for Sydney counselling?

How long are the counselling and therapy sessions?

How frequently will I see my therapist?

What are the fees?

What about private health insurance?

What about a Medicare rebate?

Do you offer online counselling and therapy?

How do I know if Jacqueline Stone & Associates is the right service for me?

What’s the difference between a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a counsellor, etc? Who should I see?

I’ve never seen a therapist before. Do I need or want counselling?

Do you have therapists/ counsellors in Sydney, NSW?

Testimonial

Are you considering therapy?

Psychotherapy in Sydney | Sydney Counselling

Stress relief now

Get our free report!

4 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Stress Today.

02 8324 1375

How We Work

Sydney Counselling and Therapy

Whether it’s depressed moods, bursts of anger or sudden tears,you can overcome stress and anxiety.

What to Expect from Therapy/Counselling

Counsellors in Sydney

Preliminary Phone Consultation

First Therapy Session

Therapy Sessions 2–6

Continuing Counselling and Psychotherapy

Therapy Approaches

Psychodynamic Therapy

Mindfulness in Therapy

Sydney Counselling FAQ

What are your COVID-19 arrangements?

How long is the wait for an appointment?

Do you offer appointments out of hours for Sydney counselling?

How long are the counselling and therapy sessions?

How frequently will I see my therapist?

What are the fees?

What about private health insurance?

What about a Medicare rebate?

Do you offer online counselling and therapy?

How do I know if Jacqueline Stone & Associates is the right service for me?

What’s the difference between a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a counsellor, etc? Who should I see?

I’ve never seen a therapist before. Do I need or want counselling?

Do you have therapists/ counsellors in Sydney, NSW?

Testimonial

Are you considering therapy?

Psychotherapy in Sydney | Sydney Counselling

Stress relief now

Get our free report!

4 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Stress Today.

02 8324 1375

Whether it’s depressed moods, bursts of anger or sudden tears,
you can overcome stress and anxiety.