Frequently Asked Questions

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

In-Person and Video-Link counselling:

• An in-person counselling session, in my comfy counselling room in Greenwood Estate, is $110 for 50 minutes.  

• Video-link counselling is $110 for 50 minutes.  I provide this service Australia-wide.  I will send you a Client Intake Form prior to your first session to complete.  Just complete it, take a photo and send it back to me at least 12 hours prior to our session.  Thank you!

Email Counselling Australia-wide and internationally:

• A weekly counselling email session is $80.  A weekly session includes two emails - an 800 word email from you and an 800 word response from me.  You don't have to write 800 words if you don't need to.  This is just a guide as to the maximum number of words.  Payment is not required until after our session.  I send an invoice at the end of the week.  If you would like ongoing counselling we simply continue with this arrangement.

A word to the wise:  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 to your "treats list" as well.  And remember, you are worth investing in!

In-person counselling:

For in-person counselling in Townsville you can pay via EFTPOS, bank deposit or cash after our session.  

For video-link counselling I will send you an invoice after the session.

Email Counselling:

I will send you an invoice after our weekly email counselling  sessions - i.e. an email from you, a response from me.  Once payment is received we can continue with the next week's counselling.

Confidentiality when using email counselling:  

Your information is safe and secure with me because I use an encrypted email account.  Many clients like to have a totally separate account for counselling anyway so creating an encrypted email account for yourself as well can serve a dual purpose.

Confidentiality is an incredibly important aspect of any form of counselling.  It's so easy to sign up for a free encrypted email account for peace of mind - https://proton.me/mail/pricing  

If you don't use an encrypted email account I highly recommend having a strong password and ensuring you are the only one who can access your email account.

I provide in-person counselling in Townsville.

I also provide video-link counselling Australia-wide.

Due to an increased demand for email counselling I provide email counselling Australia-wide.   To find out more feel free to read the Email Counselling section.

• Grief and Loss Counselling 
• Grief and Loss for Pet Owners
• Self-esteem Counselling
• Boundaries
• Trauma
• Christian Counselling 

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

Feel free to use Contact Form to get in touch with me.

If you would like email counselling the first step is for you to complete a Client Consent Form which I will email you from my secure, encrypted email account: beeyourselfcounselling@protonmail.com  Just return it and we can start from there!

I provide in-person counselling in Townsville and email counselling for adults 18 years and over. 

I provide in-person counselling in Townsville.

I provide video-link counselling Australia-wide.

Due to an increased demand I currently  provide email counselling Australia-wide and internationally for anyone not living in Townsville.   To find out more feel free to read the Email Counselling section.

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

- Blue Card

ABN: 20355870391 

Disclaimers:

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. 

Bee Yourself Counselling highly recommends you use an encrypted email account (such as Proton) if engaging in email counselling.  Bee Yourself Counselling is not legally liable for any breaches of privacy that may occur if you choose not to use an encrypted email account.

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.