What Can You Expect From Counselling?
Counselling provides safe, professional and ethical emotional support during challenging times when your life or wellbeing may be negatively impacted. It can help to build coping strategies, work through issues from a different perspective, and have your feelings listened to and validated. The therapy models and interventions used in counselling may vary between counsellors. Rachel will advise of any particular therapies she thinks may benefit your progress, but puts a lot of consideration and preparation into making sure your sessions are individualised to meet your needs.
Therapy models Rachel practices include, but are not limited to:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
Person-Centred Therapy
Solution Focused Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Polyvagal Theory
Trauma-informed Therapy
Inner Child Therapy
Ethical Practice
Meeting with a stranger to discuss your personal feelings can be confronting and make you feel very vulnerable. Rachel values and respects the trust that people place in her. As a registered Social Worker, she is guided by the ANZASW Code of Ethics, and the ethical standards required of a psychology graduate. A counselling relationship is built on trust, and feeling comfortable and confident with the counsellor you have chosen. If a client feels that the counselling relationship is not a good fit, or if Rachel believes that they may benefit from a more specialist service, she will provide support in finding an alternative option.
Before Your First Counselling Session
Before your first session, Rachel will invite you to provide some background information, via email, phone call or message, so she can have an understanding about what is bringing you, your child or family to counselling, and to make sure she is the best fit to meet your counselling needs. You can also discuss any concerns you may have. It is also possible to arrange a 30-minute pre-counselling visit if you prefer to meet in-person.
The Initial Session
The initial session is about getting to know you and establishing an overall picture about what is happening for you. A standard counselling contract outlining what you can expect from counselling is signed, and the limits of confidentiality are fully explained. We will discuss what you want to achieve from future counselling sessions, and what interventions and strategies may work for you.