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FAQ

What is Counselling & Psychotherapy?

At Solace, Chels has: a Masters of Counselling & Psychotherapy, as well as two Bachelors of Psychology. Here's more about what that means: 

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Counselling and Psychotherapy: These are therapeutic practices aimed at helping individuals manage and overcome personal challenges and mental health issues. Counselling typically focuses on specific issues or situations and is often shorter-term. Psychotherapy tends to be more in-depth, addressing patterns of thinking and behaviour over a longer period.

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Psychology: This is the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour. Psychologists often conduct assessments and provide therapy, using evidence-based techniques to help clients understand and change their behaviour. They are trained in a variety of therapeutic methods and may specialise in different areas, such as clinical psychology, counselling psychology, or neuropsychology.

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Psychiatry: This is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health disorders. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication and provide therapy. Their medical training allows them to consider the biological aspects of mental health conditions alongside psychological and social factors.

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Key Differences:

  • Training: Psychiatrists are medical doctors with specialised training in mental health. Psychologists have extensive training in psychological theories and therapeutic methods. Counsellors and psychotherapists often have qualifications in counselling or psychotherapy, focusing on therapeutic relationships and techniques.

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  • Approach: Counselling and psychotherapy are typically more focused on talk therapy and developing a therapeutic relationship. Psychologists use a range of therapeutic techniques based on psychological research. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication and may use a combination of medical and therapeutic approaches.

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  • Duration: Counselling might be shorter-term, addressing immediate issues. Psychotherapy can be a longer-term process for deeper psychological work. Sessions with psychologists and psychiatrists vary based on individual needs.

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At Solace Therapy, we provide compassionate and personalised counselling and psychotherapy to support you on your mental health journey. If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out to us.

What are your fees?

At Solace Therapy, we strive to make our services accessible and straightforward. Here's an overview of our fees and fee structure:

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Initial Sessions: All new clients require an initial session to develop a thorough plan and history. These sessions are $175 and last for 80 minutes. For children and youth, this typically means 50 minutes are allocated for the child and 30 minutes are allocated for the parent or caregiver. This comprehensive approach ensures we understand your unique needs and can provide tailored support from the start.

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Ongoing Sessions: Our ongoing sessions are $145 for 50 minutes of face-to-face time. This fee also covers the time required for me to write notes and plan (time differs).

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Regular Fees: Our fees are structured to ensure that you receive high-quality care without unexpected costs. We have carefully adjusted our fees so that clients are not paying more out of pocket than they would with a Medicare rebate. This means our fees are comparable to the typical gap fee you would pay if you were seeing a psychologist under a Mental Health Treatment Plan.

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Medicare Rebates: Currently, Medicare rebates are not available for our services. However, PACFA, ACA & ACARP are consulting with the government to create a national standard for rebates for counsellors and psychotherapists. This is an important step towards making mental health care more accessible for everyone, and we are hopeful for changes in the near future. No Mental Health Treatment Plan Required, Unlike services that require a referral or a Mental Health Treatment Plan from a GP, you can access our counselling and psychotherapy services directly. This allows for greater flexibility and immediacy in addressing your mental health needs.​ Consistent Fees,Regardless of how many sessions you need, our fees will remain the same. 

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NDIS: If you are a self-managed NDIS client, please just let us know during your intake and session booking. NDIA clients will be able to.               access our services in the near future. 

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We are committed to providing compassionate and affordable mental health care. If you have any questions about our fees or need more information, please feel free to contact us.

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What are your qualifications & experience?

Education:

  • Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Australian College of Applied Psychology

  • Psychology Honours, Cairnmillar Institute

  • Bachelor of Applied Science in Psychology, Deakin University

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Experience:

  • Psychotherapist at Wellness Avenue, providing telehealth nationwide.

  • 4 years working in primary and secondary education settings as part of the Wellbeing team. My roles included providing 1:1 support for children and young people, creating and facilitating group programs, taking classroom observations, attending meetings, advocating for students, working with external services, making referrals, mediating between students, and more. I have, and continue to enjoy, working with the wonderful young people in our community.

  • 2 years working in early childhood education, with infants, toddlers, and kinder-aged children.

  • Volunteer experience at NCN Health and Yarra Valley Psychology, where I worked alongside and assisted counsellors and psychologists.

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Projects:

  • Thesis: Efficacy of Mindfulness Program for CALD Populations: Evaluated a mindfulness program for diverse populations.

  • Get it Girl Women’s Wellness Seminar 2018 (Numurkah): Organised a seminar for local women with guest speakers. Stay tuned, another event is in the works.

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Ultimately, I have taken all of these experiences and knowledge and transmuted them into a practice and style that I am very proud of and is always evolving. I am often engaged in professional development and personal reflection so that I can be the best therapist for you and continue to love what I do.

Ethics & Code of Conduct

At Solace Therapy, I adhere to the highest ethical standards as outlined in the PACFA Code of Ethics. This commitment ensures that all clients receive the best possible care in a professional and respectful environment. Key principles include:

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  • Confidentiality: Your privacy is paramount. All sessions and personal information are kept strictly confidential.

  • Competence: I continually update my skills and knowledge to provide the most effective and up-to-date therapy.

  • Respect: I treat all clients with dignity and respect, valuing their unique backgrounds and perspectives.

  • Integrity: I am honest and transparent in all professional dealings, ensuring trust and reliability in our therapeutic relationship.

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These principles guide my practice to ensure you receive ethical, professional, and compassionate care. If you have any questions about the ethical standards I adhere to, please feel free to ask.

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