Welcome to Irene Evangelou Therapy!
I’ve created this blog to provide you with easy access to frequently asked questions, essential policies, and appointment bookings for those considering seeing a Counsellor Online. Whether you are seeking information or ready to schedule your appointment, this blog is designed to make the journey as smooth and convenient as possible.
How can Counselling help you?
Counselling is a process of talking about and working through your personal experiences, issues, problems and concerns. A counsellor supports you in addressing your problems in a helpful way by helping you to clarify the issues, explore options, develop strategies, look at things from new perspectives, increase self-awareness and identify and cultivate your personal strengths and resources.
In our sessions, i use a wide variety of counselling modalities (including ACT, DBT, Positive Psychology, EFIT, Rapid Transformational Therapy, Mindfulness and Person-centred Talk Therapy) and integrate evidence-based tools and strategies from my training to best support every client and their needs in a fun, gentle and intuitive way.
There are lots of different reasons that people may decide to see a counsellor, including;
To develop healthier coping strategies
Personal growth and self-development
To better understand yourself and longstanding patterns in behaviour that may impact important relationships in your life
What Can I Expect In My First Session?
The first counselling session can be daunting for some people. We ease into the session by ensuring you are comfortable and getting to know each other to find out whether we are the right fit. I will then ask some specific questions to get to know you better, understand your needs and goals and go over the intake form you completed before the session. It’s also an opportunity for you to express your concerns, discuss and clarify your expectations from counselling as well as ask any questions you may have.
What to do before your session starts
1. You should set yourself up for the session, 5-minutes before your appointment time
2. You should have a pen and paper handy.
3. You will need a reliable high-speed internet connection, and your webcam setup.
4. Please turn off your mobile phone if not using it and reduce any background noise or distractions
5. It’s also good to have a glass of water and a box of tissues close by
How can I prepare emotionally for my first appointment?
Preparing to attend a counselling appointment can be difficult and stressful sometimes. You may feel embarrassed and hopeless or minimise your need for support. If you are worried about attending your first appointment, it can be helpful to check my website so you know what and who to expect. Rest assured that if you feel that I’m not the right fit, that’s OK; I may be able to provide a referral to a practitioner who might be a better fit. I also want to let you know that it’s OK if you are stressed or anxious during the appointment and that appointments are confidential. I will support you every step of the way.
Who should not consider using online counselling?
This is a question about Online Counselling. The online option may not be suitable for clients suffering from a clinical mental health illness such as serious addiction, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, chronic depression or psychosis. These conditions may require a more traditional (face-to-face) treatment approach compared to only using online options.
What is the Confidentiality policy?
All sessions are completely confidential. We take this very seriously. The only exceptions to this rule are as follows:
The exceptions to this rule are as follows:
If there is any risk of harm to self or others.
If you are involved in a court case and client notes are subpoenaed by a court or disclosure of client notes is otherwise required or authorised by law.
If prior consent has been obtained to correspond with a third party e.g. GP, parent, or lawyer.
How long does counselling go for/ How many sessions do I need?
I believe that counselling should be as unique and individual as you are.
Some people prefer to commit to weekly, fortnightly or even monthly sessions over a longer term depending on their goals, needs and situation. Most women attend 6-8 sessions. Sometimes simple issues can be resolved sooner. At other times, issues are complex and may require more than 8 sessions.
This is something we can discuss and collaborate on together.
Sessions run for 50 minutes.
After-hours and Saturday morning appointments are available at request.
You may feel anxious before your first appointment. This is a common experience. Counselling is confidential and your experiences are met with empathy and without judgement.
Do I need a referral?
No, you do not need a referral to see Irene which means you can access support from a qualified counsellor without long wait periods or needing to see your GP.
You can simply book an appointment once you are ready to get started.
I am on NDIS, what do I do?
Please see whether you are self-managed or able to become self-managed. We don’t deal with third-party providers like NDIS, but if you are self-managed, you can claim back your payments from the NDIS after paying for your sessions privately with us.
What are the fees?
The standard session fee is $150. The after-hours (5 pm to 8 pm) and Saturday mornings (10 am to 2 pm) appointments are available upon request and run for 55-60 minutes ($170). I offer a concession rate that applies to pension cardholders, healthcare cardholders, and university student cardholders at $90 for a standard appointment.
Payment will be taken at the time of the booking to secure your appointment and to ensure as much time as possible is available for your session on the day.
Depending on your chosen coverage, private health insurance may cover the cost of your appointment. Please get in touch with your insurer for further information.
Medicare Rebate or Private Health Insurance
Unfortunately, there are no Medicare or Private Health Insurance Rebates available at this time.
If you are a member of a private health fund, you may be entitled to claim a rebate for counselling services.
The level of rebate will depend on your level of coverage. For more information, we recommend that you contact your private health fund directly.
**I am not panelled with insurance companies. However, I can provide you with a receipt that you may be able to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. It is important to call your insurance company beforehand to see if you are eligible for reimbursement.
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What is the cancellation policy?
If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please get in touch with us at support@ireneevangeloutherapy.com or on 0434 641 232.
The practice has a 24-hour cancellation policy detailed in the patient agreement and will charge a full-service fee for no-show appointments.
A full refund will be provided for appointments cancelled with 24 hours or more notice.
Repeated cancellations or failure to pay the cancellation fee will result in the service being discontinued.
Thank you for your understanding and co-operation.
How do I book an appointment?
If you would like to book an appointment, click here ‘Booking Page’. Upon receipt, I will send you an email with information about my services and an intake form for completion. Please take a moment to review my policies below before booking an appointment.
Do you provide crisis response services?
Please note that I am unable to provide a crisis response. If you are feeling unwell or need urgent assistance, contact Emergency Services (000). The following services may be able to provide after-hours and crisis response:
Crisis Assessment & Treatment Teams (CATT)/ Psychiatric Emergency Teams (PET):
ACT Mental Health Triage Service: 1800 629 354
NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
NT Mental Health Line: 1800 682 288
QLD Specialist Mental Healthcare: 1300 MH CALL (1300 64 22 55)
SA Mental Health Triage Service: 13 14 65
TAS Mental Health Service Helpline: 1800 332 388
VIC: Click the link to find mental health services in your area, or call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24
WA Mental Health Emergency Response Line: 1800 676 822
Phone & Online Counselling:
Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention (24/7)- 13 11 14
Mental health counselling | Suicide Call Back Service (24/7 )- 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800 (24/7) For children and young people between 5 and 25 years old- 1800 55 1800
13YARN - Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (24/7)- 13 92 76
QLife - Support and Referrals (3PM to Midnight daily LGBTQIA+ specific support)- 1800 184 527
Home | 1800RESPECT (24/7 domestic, family or sexual violence support)- 1800 737 732
https://mensline.org.au/phone-and-online-counselling/- 1300 78 99 78
Can you help with Court matters?
I do not conduct appointments for the purpose of medico-legal reports (Court reports), to meet any mandated legal obligations or third-party funding such as TAC or Workcover.
Do you have more Questions about Counselling at Irene Evangelou Therapy?
Apply for a 30-minute FREE Anxiety Relief Call to explore working with me as a private client https://www.ireneevangeloutherapy.com/free-anxiety-relief-call
If you are an Australian resident, I provide online counselling for Anxiety, Stress, Perfectionism, People-pleasing, Self-esteem, and Self-image. Explore your thoughts, understand your feelings, and talk about your struggles in a safe, non-judgmental space, and receive support and guidance to navigate life’s challenges so that you can live your most fulfilling life with peace and confidence. Book your first session by clicking the link below.
All content here is for informational purposes only. This content does not replace the professional judgment of your own mental health provider. Please consult a licensed mental health professional for all individual questions and issues.
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