faq.
Important: Couples Counselling is Not Appropriate Where a Relationship is Abusive: Couples therapy often requires tough conversations which can result in big emotions and uncomfortable self-disclosure. If your relationship is abusive, it may not suitable or safe for the cooperation involved with joint-counselling. Consider that counsellors have to work in a safe, respectful environment and have their own emotional balance to consider.
How to Get the Most Out of Counselling:
INDIVIDUALS:
COUPLES:
Appointment Availability: We can usually fit you in within a week.
How much are the fees?
Counselling fees at Ghita Therapy are substantially lower than psychological fees: Fees
Can I use a Doctor's Referral?
Yes. In order to stay competitive, Ghita Therapy offers a 35% discount rate (per hour for individuals) for GP referrals. New clients can have a maximum of 6 sessions with the discount. Please ask your doctor for a 'GP referral' letter for a counsellor, not a MHCP. Please note that we do not take Mental Health Care Plans because this breaches the confidentiality ethics that all counsellors abide by; meaning that at Ghita Therapy we are not Medicare registered and do not share your private file with anyone - including your doctor. If you wish to have a correspondence between a therapist and your doctor using the MHCP - you will need to visit a 'clinical psychologist.'
More Concessions.
Mental Health Care Plans and Medicare Explained:
When you use a Mental Health Plan with a psychologist, or other mental health care practitioner under the mental health care plan, the practitioner is required under the plan to report your mental health details back to the referring GP where it becomes part of your public health record. That means your files are not confidential and can be accessed by police, the courts and social workers. This may impact your access to medical insurance, dependant on what you have disclosed or has been recorded.
*Relationship counselling is not rebatable by Medicare anyway.
How long do sessions take?
Sessions are either 60, 90, 120 or 180 minutes.
Where is Ghita Therapy located?
Currumbin Creek/ Beach. See Bookings page for opening hours etc.
What kind of people go to counselling?
Everyday people from doctors to tradespeople turn to counselling when they need support or at a crossroads in their lives. Counselling provides the chance to talk things through, very often relieving emotional pressure, clearing the way for people to focus and decide what to do next. Counselling can provide a sense of direction and a greater ability to achieve goals. Just like you seek advice from a doctor for health issues, a counsellor can help to give you tools for better decision making and improved mental health.
Can I book a session for my partner, friend or teenager?
Bookings can be made for a third party, however bookings must be prepaid. This is due to the high rate of cancellations and no-shows by clients who did not actually book in for themselves.
Short notice cancellations and no shows
Cancellation (with less than 24 hours notice) and No Shows are charged at one full hour for individuals or couples. This is because:
Ghita Therapy has a policy that cancellations with less than 24 hours notice, or no shows will be billed at one hour. This will be deducted from prepaid amounts. If a payment was originally for a concession rate, the balance amount for the non-rebated fee will be invoiced to clients via email. This is because Medicare does not rebate cancellations and therefore Ghita Therapy does not offer rebates on cancellations.
Cancellation Policy
Is counselling confidential?
Yes. Nothing said will be revealed unless permission (client consent) has been given and any notes taken are kept secure. Exceptions to this are when clients are at risk of self-harm or harming others. Client Confidentiality
How long does counselling (healing) take in general?
Individuals: The time period for therapy depends on the complexity of an issue. An issue can be worked through in one session, or it may take several sessions. It also depends on whther you have a two hour appointment or one hour each time. Some client's find that top-up sessions are key to staying on track, when new issues arise.
Couples: For couples experiencing relationship problems (not including infidelity, addiction or trauma), the average number of hours is 3. After multiple sessions you should see significant results, resulting in a happier, secure and more fulfilling relationship.
*Please note, medicare does not provide a rebate for couples counselling in Australia.
Can I get a mobile home visit from Ghita?
Can I have my appointment online or by Phone?
Yes, Skype, Zoom, Facetime and phone sessions are available for individual and couples counselling.
Do Health Funds rebate counselling?
Some do. Each Health Care Fund has different rules. If your Health Fund accepts counsellors Ghita can create a receipt for you.
Do you offer NDIS counselling?
Yes, Ghita Therapy services are eligible for access by NDIS participants who Self manage funds that are allocated for therapeutic purposes.
What if I can't wait, or I am feeling like harming myself?
Call Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14 – www.lifeline.org.au
Lifeline provides free, 24-hour telephone crisis support with access to suicide prevention services, mental health support and emotional assistance.
Termination of services:
Ghita Therapy holds the right to suspend treatment and refuse further services if:
Client notes after termination:
No clients notes will be shared or divulged unless a court order requires it and only specific information relevant to a case will be allowed, unless client gives consent.
How to Get the Most Out of Counselling:
INDIVIDUALS:
- Book appointment via phone/ text on 0439 888 070 or via enquiry below
- Printing and filling out the Intake Form will save ten minutes of you first session
- Prepay for your session asap to secure your timeslot. Due to session start times, Ghita prefers not to take payment in session because this often eats into the next person's time. Payments
- An SMS reminder will be sent out the day before your appointment. Please confirm with a 'YES' or it may be cancelled by 6pm
- Please do not arrive early! Clients may be back to back and there is no waiting reception in this private home
- Free parking is available on the street. See map below
COUPLES:
- Each partner should read Is Couples Counselling Right for You? and First Session Info & Quiz' to see if couples therapy is right for your situation and you both agree to the terms
- Book appointment via phone/ text on 0439 888 070 or via enquiry below
- Ask Ghita about the local Mobile Service (Extra $25: Currumbin, Elanora, Palm Beach, Tugan) to save on time and babysitting
- Printing and filling out the Intake Form will save ten minutes of you first session
- An SMS reminder will be sent out the day before your appointment. Please confirm with a 'YES' or it may be cancelled by 6pm
- Prepay for your session asap to secure your timeslot. Due to session start times, Ghita prefers not to take payment in session because this often eats into the next person's time. Payments
- Please do not arrive early! Clients may be back to back and there is no waiting reception in this private home
- Free parking is available on the street. See map below
Appointment Availability: We can usually fit you in within a week.
How much are the fees?
Counselling fees at Ghita Therapy are substantially lower than psychological fees: Fees
Can I use a Doctor's Referral?
Yes. In order to stay competitive, Ghita Therapy offers a 35% discount rate (per hour for individuals) for GP referrals. New clients can have a maximum of 6 sessions with the discount. Please ask your doctor for a 'GP referral' letter for a counsellor, not a MHCP. Please note that we do not take Mental Health Care Plans because this breaches the confidentiality ethics that all counsellors abide by; meaning that at Ghita Therapy we are not Medicare registered and do not share your private file with anyone - including your doctor. If you wish to have a correspondence between a therapist and your doctor using the MHCP - you will need to visit a 'clinical psychologist.'
More Concessions.
Mental Health Care Plans and Medicare Explained:
When you use a Mental Health Plan with a psychologist, or other mental health care practitioner under the mental health care plan, the practitioner is required under the plan to report your mental health details back to the referring GP where it becomes part of your public health record. That means your files are not confidential and can be accessed by police, the courts and social workers. This may impact your access to medical insurance, dependant on what you have disclosed or has been recorded.
*Relationship counselling is not rebatable by Medicare anyway.
How long do sessions take?
Sessions are either 60, 90, 120 or 180 minutes.
Where is Ghita Therapy located?
Currumbin Creek/ Beach. See Bookings page for opening hours etc.
What kind of people go to counselling?
Everyday people from doctors to tradespeople turn to counselling when they need support or at a crossroads in their lives. Counselling provides the chance to talk things through, very often relieving emotional pressure, clearing the way for people to focus and decide what to do next. Counselling can provide a sense of direction and a greater ability to achieve goals. Just like you seek advice from a doctor for health issues, a counsellor can help to give you tools for better decision making and improved mental health.
Can I book a session for my partner, friend or teenager?
Bookings can be made for a third party, however bookings must be prepaid. This is due to the high rate of cancellations and no-shows by clients who did not actually book in for themselves.
Short notice cancellations and no shows
Cancellation (with less than 24 hours notice) and No Shows are charged at one full hour for individuals or couples. This is because:
- Appointments cannot be filled at short notice
- Medicare does not rebate cancellations for Doctor referred sessions and neither do we
- 24 hour policy is stated in first confirmation SMS
- 24 hour policy is stated on the intake contract which clients have read and signed
Ghita Therapy has a policy that cancellations with less than 24 hours notice, or no shows will be billed at one hour. This will be deducted from prepaid amounts. If a payment was originally for a concession rate, the balance amount for the non-rebated fee will be invoiced to clients via email. This is because Medicare does not rebate cancellations and therefore Ghita Therapy does not offer rebates on cancellations.
Cancellation Policy
Is counselling confidential?
Yes. Nothing said will be revealed unless permission (client consent) has been given and any notes taken are kept secure. Exceptions to this are when clients are at risk of self-harm or harming others. Client Confidentiality
How long does counselling (healing) take in general?
Individuals: The time period for therapy depends on the complexity of an issue. An issue can be worked through in one session, or it may take several sessions. It also depends on whther you have a two hour appointment or one hour each time. Some client's find that top-up sessions are key to staying on track, when new issues arise.
Couples: For couples experiencing relationship problems (not including infidelity, addiction or trauma), the average number of hours is 3. After multiple sessions you should see significant results, resulting in a happier, secure and more fulfilling relationship.
*Please note, medicare does not provide a rebate for couples counselling in Australia.
Can I get a mobile home visit from Ghita?
- Ghita's Mobile Service is available in the following suburbs: Currumbin, Palm Beach, Elanora, Burleigh Heads, Tugan, Bilinga, Kirra, Coolangatta, Reedy Creek, Mudgeeraba, Tallebudgera, Robina, Miami.
- Surcharge $25
Can I have my appointment online or by Phone?
Yes, Skype, Zoom, Facetime and phone sessions are available for individual and couples counselling.
Do Health Funds rebate counselling?
Some do. Each Health Care Fund has different rules. If your Health Fund accepts counsellors Ghita can create a receipt for you.
Do you offer NDIS counselling?
Yes, Ghita Therapy services are eligible for access by NDIS participants who Self manage funds that are allocated for therapeutic purposes.
What if I can't wait, or I am feeling like harming myself?
Call Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14 – www.lifeline.org.au
Lifeline provides free, 24-hour telephone crisis support with access to suicide prevention services, mental health support and emotional assistance.
Termination of services:
Ghita Therapy holds the right to suspend treatment and refuse further services if:
- Client lies about level of family violence
- Client becomes abusive to counsellor
- Client continues to postpone or cancel appointments
- Client is a 'No Show' (no notice of failure to appear)
- Client does not fulfil financial obligations. Eg: Does not pay for therapy
Client notes after termination:
No clients notes will be shared or divulged unless a court order requires it and only specific information relevant to a case will be allowed, unless client gives consent.
Copyright 2019 Ghita Andersen
