Have More Questions about Amber Rose Counselling?
FAQs
How do I know you are a qualified and registered counsellor?
I am an accredited counsellor, and registered with the largest Australian counselling body, the Australian Counselling Association (membership number 16985). You can view my registration with them here. I got my Masters of Counselling and Graduate Diploma of Counselling qualifications from the University of Southern Queensland. Fun fact, you can read about my UniSQ journey on their website here.
How do I book a session with you?
Use the client portal to schedule your session. Find a time that suits you.
Do I need a GP letter or Mental Health Care Plan to book with you?
No I do not require you to have a MHCP or a doctor’s referral. You can self-refer to me by going to my calendar and booking a session or else contact me via email, phone or my website’s contact form.
Will I get a Medicare rebate when I book with you?
No. At this time, counsellors are not part of the Australian Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Each practitioner and business is unique, but generally speaking a counsellor’s fee will be around the same amount you will pay out of pocket after receiving your rebate with many psychologists.
What do I get if I sign up to your email community newsletter?
My email community newsletter is a no spam zone. You will receive the occasional email (certainly not daily or weekly - nobody wants their inbox that busy!). This email will be packed with mental health tips, short-but-sweet writing’s on women’s mental health, practical strategies and freebies. I will also do my best to always include info on free and community based resources out there for you. I connect with a lot of cool people and organisations who provide amazing mental health and lifetyle supports, so I want to share those goodies with you too.
Where are you located?
My private practice is online. I offer telehealth and email therapy. I am based in Brisbane, Australia, but see clients Australia-wide and can also see you if you are international (just make note of the time zone difference).
Can you Bulk Bill or take private insurance?
No.
How do I pay you?
When you make a booking online here you will enter your card details to pay. Easy! You can also make a direct bank deposit. I expect payment the day of or before your session, as I am sure you can understand.
Can I have an in-person session with you?
I see my private practice clients online only, with telehealth (video) and email therapy. Telehealth and email therapy is effective, convenient and allows you the ability to receive mental health support from the comfort of your own home.
What kind of therapy approaches do you use?
I am what we call an ‘integrative’ counsellor. I believe whole-heartedly that therapy should not be some cookie-cutter, one size fits all thing. You are unique, and so we will find the right strategies to suit you. The approaches I do use often include: cognitive-behavioural-therapy, somatic (body) therapy, solutions-focused-therapy, internal-systems-therapy, motivational interviewing and narrative therapy. These therapies work well for changing our narrative, breaking old cycles and working through issues like trauma and identity issues. My feminist therapy/social justice lens also helps you to understand how the environment you’re in impacts your mental health and wellbeing too. You can read more about general therapy approaches here if this interests you.
How are a counsellor and a psychologist different?
A counsellor and a psychologist are similar in many ways. At university we are trained in similar ways of doing therapy and using psychological theories. A psychologist will be able to give you a diagnosis, and they can perform assessments that counsellors can’t (such as for ADHD, ASD and cognitive conditions). A psychologist in Australia registers with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is able to deliver Medicare rebates under the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS). A counsellor can register with Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation Australia (PACFA), and is not eligible for Medicare rebates in the MBS at the moment. Both counsellors ate psychologists are required to do ongoing professional development and undertake regular supervision.
A counsellor uses evidence-based therapeutic treatments and interventions to help you process, navigate and work through issues. There is a misconception that counsellors keep things ‘light’ and help solve problems. We do this, but we do so much more. We work with relationship issues and specific life problems, but also help you with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic-stress, mood disorder management, grief and loss, addiction, mental illness, childhood traumas, family issues and more. We help you get to the root cause of the issue and build new skills. We spend time getting to know your story and helping you to write a new one.
Can you write me a letter for court, doctors, school, Centrelink?
I can provide letters of attendance and support when appropriate. These are simple letters that state that you attended sessions with me and engaged in therapeutic treatment. There are certain types of letters that I cannot provide such as letters for insurance companies where you need a medical practitioner’s (i.e. a psychiatrist) statement.
I’m a professional and want to connect with or refer to you. How can I do that?
Great! I am always excited to meet other professionals. You can refer a client to me here or else call or email me directly. If you’re wanting to discuss something else, email me and we can arrange a time to chat.
Do you only see women clients?
My private practice is targeted towards women, but I welcome all adults who contact me for a session. My approach will and does benefit men. I work with men in my other roles outside of private practice.
Who don’t you work with?
I do not work with couples or families, only individuals. There are many services around that do work with couples/families. If you are after a couples or family counsellor I recommend using the Psychology Today online directory to find one that suits you. I only work with people who are aged 18+.
How many sessions do I get?
As many as you want/need. I have had clients who only desire 1-3 sessions to work through a very specific issue, others who have 6-12 sessions, and others who have long-term, ongoing sessions. Sometimes a client will finish their counselling and return later on as needed.