Frequently Asked Questions

I know this is what most people want to know before anything else so here you go!  

Counselling:

• A counselling session is $110 for 50 minutes

I offer private counselling at a reduced rate.  Feel free to check the fees of other counsellors and/or psychologists.   I aim to provide an affordable service for people who need assistance.

Hypnotherapy:

• A hypnotherapy session is $145 per hour - the first session may need to be 1.5 hours

Something to ponder:  If you add up how much your favourite snacks, beverages or hobbies amount to, even in just one week, you may be surprised. Of course it's lovely to treat yourself. You may want to add counselling or hypnotherapy to your "treats list" as well.

I provide in-person counselling for Townsville and surrounds in my comfortable counselling room in Greenwood Estate. I am not currently providing online counselling.

The simple answer is "No."  My total fee is usually less than you will pay after you are reimbursed by your private health fund, or Medicare when using a Mental Health Care Plan.  You will not have a Medicare trail regarding your mental health (if that is something that concerns you) regarding a Mental Health Care Plan.  And you will not have to wait months for an appointment! 

• Christian Counselling
• Trauma
• Grief and Loss Counselling 
• Grief and Loss for Pet Owners
• Self-esteem Counselling
• Boundaries
• Hypnotherapy: smoking cessation, stress, burnout, relaxation, limiting beliefs, trauma, self-love, self-confidence, anxiety, healthy eating, grief and loss.

I make it nice and easy.  You don't need a referral. 

Simply use the Bookings page to book at your convenience.  Payment is not required until after your counselling session.  If you have a question feel free to use the Contact form.

Adults 18 years and over.

I offer person to person counselling and hypnotherapy in Townsville in Greenwood Estate.  I currently do not offer online counselling.

Prior to starting Bee Yourself Counselling I worked at Relationships Australia where I had dual counselling roles. I was the Victims of Crime Counsellor and the Counsellor for the Royal Commission into Childhood Sexual Institutional Abuse. The criteria for Victims of Crime clients to attend counselling were as follows: murder, manslaughter, grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning bodily harm, stalking, kidnapping, deprivation of liberty, sexual abuse and domestic and family violence. 

My work with for the Royal Commission into Childhood Sexual Institutional Abuse involved providing counselling for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse while they were in institutions such as foster care, boarding schools, schools, scouts or any other institution. 

Yes.  I am a registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association.

Qualifications: Diploma of Counselling (Institute of Applied Psychology), BA - Behavioural Science (James Cook University), Grad. Dip. Arts - Sociology (James Cook University), Diploma of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Applied Psychotherapy (Hypnotherapy Training College Australia)

Professional Registrations: 

- Australian Counselling Association (ACA)

- Golden Key Honours Society

Bee Yourself Counselling is not a crisis service. If you are having suicidal thoughts, or thoughts of self-harm, please call 000 or contact Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467 to receive assistance. 

ABN: 20355870391 

Let's make this simple (well, I'll give it a go anyway!)  And, remember, there is a place for all these professions.  It depends what your needs are.  And like any profession, there are great and not-so-great operators so don't give up!  Just like GPs, plumbers, carpenters, cleaners, dentists, builders, shop assistants, and any other  profession, people are people so just keep going until you find someone you feel comfortable with who is able to meet your needs.

Counsellors:   Counsellors don't do mental health care plans or diagnose mental health conditions.  Counsellors provide a safe space for clients to explore issues and decide their own path.  They may also offer strategies if this is what the client requests.   Some of these strategies or approaches may include:  person-centered therapy, ACT, somatic therapy, CBT, mindfulness approaches, creative therapy, parts therapy, talk therapy and many others.  If these mean nothing to you don't worry!  Your counsellor will explain what approach best suits you.  Sometimes people just want a "Professional Listener" so to speak and that's fine as well.

There are so many counselling skills required to be a proficient counsellor.  It's not just having a chat with someone and it's not about giving advice (except in duty of care matters).  A good counsellor may make you feel like you are having a chat with a friend but this is due to the many counselling skills they are using: e.g. empathy, open-ended questions, active listening, paraphrasing, summarising, clarifying, gentle challenges, skillful use of silence and other counselling-specific skills.   Psychiatrists and psychologists do not undertake counselling-specific studies.  They have a different focus.

What’s the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist? (Excerpt from MVS Psychology Group)

Essential distinctions start with their training and qualifications. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed medical school and proficient in psychiatry. This enables psychiatrists to prescribe medication and provide comprehensive treatment involving both medical and psychological methods.

In contrast, a psychologist typically holds a doctoral degree in psychology but is not a medical doctor. Psychologists focus on studying behaviour and mental processes through research, testing, and therapy. They are skilled in providing psychotherapy and behavioural interventions but cannot prescribe medication.