
Neera is a Masters-qualified psychotherapist. Empathetic, thoughtful and intuitive, Neera works with individuals to strengthen their identity and reshape patterns.

Counselling for bipolar disorder, in person or online.
Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic depression, is a psychiatric illness which affects up to 1 in 50 Australians.
Bipolar disorder is characterised by extreme mood swings, a person might experience feelings of euphoria or irritability for a period of time (mania), followed by periods of deep sadness and profound depression.
The cycle of mania and depression experienced by a person with bipolar disorder can vary in intensity, and in time, each state of mania or depression might last a day, a week or for many months, and there might be periods of relative calm and normality in between. Some people with bipolar disorder experience more highs than lows, whilst others find that they are generally more depressed than manic.
The degree to which a person experiences mania goes to making a diagnosis of either Bipolar Type 1, for more severe mania and Bipolar Type 2, for persons with a lesser degree of mania (called hypomania). You can read articles on each of these disorders in the subsections to this article. (This article is electronically protected, Copyright © Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney PTY LTD)
We see people at our Surry Hills, Bondi Junction, Miranda, Campbelltown and Dee Why practices, and online.


Neera is a Masters-qualified psychotherapist. Empathetic, thoughtful and intuitive, Neera works with individuals to strengthen their identity and reshape patterns.

Claire is a Masters-qualified Registered Counsellor and Psychotherapist working with individuals and couples on relationships, attachment and emotional wellbeing. Warm and collaborative, she creates a supportive space for clients to work through what feels difficult, at their own pace.

Petra is a highly skilled, tertiary-qualified counsellor with almost 10 years experience supporting clients' mental health. Insightful and altruistic, Petra creates a safe space to support her clients to lead more fulfilling lives.
Not sure who to choose?
Weekdays 9am to 6pm, a person answers
After hours, or any time
We have practices across Sydney, the coast and the Illawarra, and a full telehealth team. Our intake specialists know who works with what, and they will point you to the right person, whether that is near home, near work or online.
Step 1
Call us weekdays between 9am and 6pm and one of our intake team picks up. They will ask what is going on and talk you through the options before you commit to anything.
Step 2
The fit between you and your therapist is the strongest thing we know of for making therapy work. We match on what you are facing, the approach you prefer, gender, language and how far you can travel.
Step 3
We confirm your booking in writing so that you know when and where you’ll be meeting your new therapist.
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is not known, although it would seem that genetics does play a large role. One theory proposed by psychiatrists and psychologists is that the illness might be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.
It is thought that, in patients with bipolar disorder, the chemicals in the brain which help regulate mood (known as norepinephrine and serotonin) are easily skewed. Most people affected by bipolar disorder are in their 20s when they are first diagnosed.
Aspects of Bipolar Disorder represent a type of psychosis, which means that a person with bipolar has an altered perception of reality, they are generally unable to understand that their behaviour is inappropriate or irrational; this is particularly the case when the person is feeling manic.
When diagnosing manic behaviour, psychiatrists and psychologists look out for the following symptoms:
• Feeling over-excited and extremely energetic
• Thinking and speaking quickly
• Imagining that they are more important or influential than they are in real life (grandiosity)
• Going without sleep
• Acting in a reckless or uncharacteristically risky way
• Engaging in extreme sexual behaviour
• Aggressive behaviour
• Irritability
• Making unrealistic plans
When diagnosing depression, psychiatrists and psychologists look out for:
- Feelings of overwhelming sadness
, Feelings of helpless and hopelessness
, Lack of appetite
, Difficulty making decisions
, Difficulty concentrating
, Abandoning hobbies and withdrawing from friends
, Suicidal thoughts or behaviour
However, it is the incidence of episodes of both mania and depression which indicates that a person might be bipolar. Diagnosis would generally be by a psychiatrist.
Treatment for bipolar disorder depends on the severity of the manic and depressed feelings, however people often require medication to help stabilise their moods. Medication for psychiatric illness is best prescribed by a psychiatrist (a psychiatrist is a medical doctor specialised in mental illness).
People with bipolar disorder can also benefit from counselling or therapy with a professional counsellor or psychologist to help them understand and better handle their illness. Psychologists or counsellors will work with clients to better recognise the onset of a particular phase and will often look for triggers as well developing management plans for the onset of manic or depressive symptoms.
Counsellors and psychologists will often work in partnership with a treating psychiatrist to manage the care of a person with bipolar disorder. This is especially important if the person is taking medication to help control their manic or depressive episodes.
People with bipolar disorder can experience acute or heightened episodes of mania or depression, which can lead to dangerous behaviour (particularly if the person is acting delusional or suicidal).
If you are concerned that someone you know might be experiencing an acute episode of either mania or depression, they may require immediate care and treatment. Contact a psychiatric hospital or the emergency department of your local hospital for advice about where to go.
To enquire about professional counselling by qualified Counsellors & Psychologists for the ongoing psychological management of Bipolar Disorder in Sydney call Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney. We welcome your enquiry.
Disclaimer
All health information provided on counsellingsydney.com.au is general in nature and is provided for information purposes only. The information contained on this site should not be used to diagnose or treat psychological conditions, nor should it be used as an alternative to obtaining counselling or psychological advice from a qualified counsellor, psychologist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist or medical practitioner. Please consult a counselling professional or a health care provider about any health concerns you might have about yourself or others. Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney Pty. Ltd does not accept liability for any loss or damage associated with the use of this site.
This site may contain links to third party sites including sites on counselling, psychologist services, mental health and other unrelated material.
The existence of these links is not to be construed as an endorsement by Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney Pty. Ltd as to the accuracy or quality of the information or services provided by these third party sites and we do not accept liability for any loss or damaged associated with the use of these third party sites.
This page is electronically copyright protected, do not copy, Copyright © Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney PTY LTD
No referral is needed to start. For Medicare rebates, ask your GP about a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Please speak to our team about your options.
Most new clients are seen within days, sooner by telehealth. Many of our practices offer early morning, evening and weekend appointments, and our intake team will find the times that suit you.
Yes, you can choose either. You can see a clinician at one of our practices across Sydney, the coast and the Illawarra, or by video from anywhere in Australia, and many clients switch between the two.
Your clinician listens to what’s brought you in, asks about your goals, and agrees to a plan with you. There is never any pressure to share more than you’re ready to.
Sessions run for 55 minutes, and the fee depends on who you see. Counsellors start from $150, social workers and psychologists from $200, and clinical psychologists from $230. With a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, a Medicare rebate may apply to sessions with a psychologist or a registered mental health social worker, so please speak to our staff about your options.
These are the things people come to us for.

Worry you cannot switch off, or panic that arrives out of nowhere.

Flat and exhausted, with no interest in things you used to enjoy.

Arguments that go round in circles, or drifting apart and not knowing how to talk about it.

We’ll help you spot triggers, slow the surge, and choose what happens next.

Drinking, drugs, gambling or porn that has got out of hand.

Days that feel chaotic, with everyday tasks harder than they should be.

Things that happened years ago that still affect how you feel now.

Compulsive sex or pornography use, and the issues that trigger it.

After a death, a diagnosis, or the end of something that mattered.

Food, weight and eating taking up more of the day than they should.

The full list of things our clinicians work with, across every practice and online.
Every clinician is fully registered and insured, and bound by their professional association's Code of Ethics, as our counsellor guarantee sets out.
Not sure which suits you? Speak to our team about your options.
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Registered Psychotherapist
Neera is a registered counsellor, psychotherapist, accredited professional coach, facilitator and educator with over 25 years of experience in the wellbeing space. As an experienced personal and professional development practitioner, she has more recently integrated her knowledge and formal qualifications in mindfulness, wellbeing and executive coaching into her role as a professional counsellor. Neera holds a Masters of Counselling & Psychotherapy and a Graduate Diploma in Counselling from Australian College of Applied Professions and a Graduate Certificate in Organisational Coaching & Leadership from Charles Sturt University.
Neera’s experience includes working in private psychiatric hospital settings, corporate settings, and now private practice. Her approach is also informed by a long term meditation practice and Jungian Analysis experience. As such, her approach to her work as a counsellor is trauma sensitive and attachment based, employing mindfulness, dream work and somatic (body based) awareness, where appropriate. Drawing on these skills, Neera is able to assist clients through a range of concerns, including life transition and change, grief and loss, attachment disorders, identity and personality issues, relationship issues and substance abuse, as well as anxiety, depression, stress and work-related concerns.
Neera has a warm, intuitive style and integrative counselling approach, drawing on decades of working with people. Neera works with clients by helping people make sense of their story and by grounding their sense of self in core values and purpose.
Counsellor
$150 to $220
fee range, per 55-minute session
Please ask for the exact fee when you call.
No referral is needed, so you can start straight away. This fee does not attract a Medicare rebate. See the full fee table

Counsellor & Relationship Therapist
Claire is a Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Relationship Counsellor. She holds a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (ACAP) and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science, majoring in Psychology, from the University of Sydney. She is a Professional Member of the Australian Counselling Association, a Certified Practising Registrant with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, and a member of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Prior to training as a counsellor, Claire spent several years working in client-facing roles across the health technology and corporate sectors, including account management, client support and office administration, both in Australia and the UK. This experience gave her a solid grounding in listening closely to people and understanding what they need, something she draws on in her work with clients today.
As a counsellor in private practice, Claire works with both individuals and couples, supporting them with a range of concerns including anxiety, depression, grief, low self-worth, past trauma and interpersonal conflict. She has a particular interest in relationships, attachment and emotional connection.
Claire’s approach draws primarily on Emotionally Focused Therapy and EFIT, integrating psychodynamic, person-centred, trauma-informed and Gottman Method techniques. She describes her style as warm, collaborative and paced to the client, creating a space to explore what can be difficult to put into words, without judgement or pressure. Claire supports her clients toward greater self-understanding, emotional safety and healthier ways of relating over time.
Counsellor
$150 to $220
fee range, per 55-minute session
Please ask for the exact fee when you call.
No referral is needed, so you can start straight away. This fee does not attract a Medicare rebate. See the full fee table

Registered Counsellor
Petra is a Registered Counsellor and member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) with experience in various roles across the healthcare industry. She holds a Diploma from the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors and a Graduate Diploma in Relationship Counselling, as well as advanced accreditations in grief & loss, addiction, abuse and eating disorders.
Petra has worked extensively with a diverse range of individuals across multiple organisations in both the aged care, clinical and charity sectors. Through her time at the Butterfly Foundation, Petra empowered her clients through evidence-based therapy to help them overcome negative eating patterns. Petra also has specific experience treating complex mental health in elderly clients, supporting them through issues such as trauma, grief and cognitive decline. Prior to her commencing a career in counselling, Petra worked in various roles within the corporate space, collaborating and liaising with an assortment of professionals, helping shape the person-centred approach she utlises in therapy today.
In private practice, Petra’s focus is to meet and understand where individuals are at in their lives, and best support them using a variety of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solutions Focused Therapy, ACT, Strengths Based Therapy and Narrative Therapy. In her sessions, Petra assists her clients in a range of concerns, including anger management, depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, grief & loss, self-esteem issues, workplace stress, as well as more complex mental health including eating disorders and addiction.
Petra is an insightful and altruistic counsellor, who believes everyone is unique in their counselling needs and, as such, aims to personalise each session to the individual. Creating safe, supportive and confidential spaces for people to engage, Petra uses empathy and understanding to support her clients in their mental health journey and onto more fulfilling lives.
Counsellor
$150 to $220
fee range, per 55-minute session
Please ask for the exact fee when you call.
No referral is needed, so you can start straight away. This fee does not attract a Medicare rebate. See the full fee table