Frequently Asked Questions
Should I see a counsellor or a psychologist?
It depends on your priorities and what you are seeking support for. If you want support for a mental illness or would like a diagnosis, a psychologist is likely best. Psychologists work within the medical model of mental health, meaning they can conduct assessments, provide a clinical diagnosis, and create a treatment plan. If you are experiencing a difficult life circumstance or are seeking personal growth and development, a counsellor can help. Counsellors and psychotherapists work outside the medical model, so we do not diagnose. Instead, we use many of the same therapeutic interventions as psychologists but apply them to your unique experiences and goals rather than to a diagnosis.
Can I use my Mental Health Treatment Plan?
You can attend counselling with a referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan, but please note that counsellors are not currently covered by Medicare rebates. Some private health insurers recognise counsellors as providers. See below for details.
How can I claim with my private health provider?
Blue Wren Therapy is registered with: Bupa, Medibank Private, AHM, HCF, Police Health, Teachers Union Health, Phoenix Health, CUA Health, St Luke’s Health, GMHBA, and Doctors Health Fund. If your level of cover includes counselling, you will need to pay for the session and then request a receipt with the provider number to submit to your fund.
Do you work with kids or teenagers?
No. My services are for ages 18 and over.
What should I expect in the first session?
My first sessions are designed to provide insight from the first session. That is why your first session will be a Maxi session to give us enough time, to hear about your issue, introduce the Unstuck Method and Card Deck and use the Card Deck to gain some insight into your issue. All new clients will receive an Unstuck Card Deck to use during and in between sessions.
What is the Unstuck Method?
The Unstuck Method reframes being stuck as an opportunity to get curious. By exploring our problems and our potential solutions through curiosity, intuition, and experimentation, we learn to see things differently and move forward with hope. Rooted in the principle that when the student is ready, the teacher appears, it transforms uncertainty into insight and movement.
How many sessions will I or we need?
It varies for everyone. After the first session, we will discuss next steps. Most people begin with weekly or fortnightly sessions, which may later move to monthly check-ins. Some clients choose to continue regular therapy on an ongoing basis. There does not need to be an end date.
Is my or our problem too small for therapy?
Not at all. There is no issue too small, and you do not even need to have a “problem.” Therapy can be about growth, reflection, and creating meaningful change in any area of life.
Should I book an individual or joint session first for relationship therapy?
Relationship therapy usually involves both joint and individual sessions, especially at the start. Most couples begin with a joint session, then follow up with individual sessions. That said, you can start individually if you prefer.
What is Outdoor Therapy?
Instead of sitting inside in a therapy room, you can either choose to go for a walk or sit on a park bench (or a combination of both) in a quiet outdoor space.
Being in nature has a calming effect and combining that with movement can help you gain clarity and get Unstuck.
Where do we walk/sit for Nature Therapy?
You can choose to Walk and Talk starting from either Soroptimist Park, Rowes Bay (walking towards Pallarenda) or from Palmetum Carpark, Douglas and walking along the river.
Seated Park Bench can be at Soroptimist Park (Rowes Bay), Palmetum (Douglas) or Queens Park (Townsville City)
How can I pay?
All new clients will be required to pay a deposit of $60 upfront to cover the cost of your Unstuck Card Deck and postage. I will send you an invoice with all the details. The remainder of the payment is due via direct deposit/PayID when you confirm your attendance 48 hours prior to your appointment.
NOTE: Late cancellations and no shows incur the full fee.
What happens if I cancel?
Late cancellations and no shows incur the full fee.