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

Counselling, in person or online.
Type 1 Info & Treatment
Type 1 bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is frequently upsetting and disturbing to family members and to individuals who suffer from this illness. While it is treatable, the challenges of bipolar 1 disorder can make treatment difficult and frustrating, but with help and continued treatment successful outcomes are possible.
• What is Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder in which an individual experiences mood swings that shift between periods of mania and depression.
• What Does a Manic Episode Look Like, A manic episode is characterized by symptoms that include rapid speech, flight of ideas, extreme grandiosity and excessive energy.
• What Does a Depressive Episode Look Like, A depressive episode is the polar opposite of a manic episode and is characterized by excessive sleep, feelings of worthlessness, lack of interest in enjoyable activities, thoughts of death including suicide.
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.

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.

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.
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.
Among the mood disorders, bipolar disorders are among the most challenge to treat and can be among the most disturbing for the individuals who have the illness. Bipolar disorder is divided into two separate disorders, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is often the diagnosis if there is an intense manic episode.
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder where an individual cycles between periods of depression and mania. Type 1 bipolar disorder is what most of us recognize as “manic-depressive” disorder. Type 1 bipolar disorder may consist of a single episode of mania or repeated episodes in which a person experiences periods of mania at the end of a depressive episode.
A person who is experiencing a manic episode for the first time may not realize what is happening to them. They may exhibit the following behaviours, although most people do not show all of these activities:
• Pressured or fast speech patterns
• Feelings of excessive or extreme creativity
• Inflated self esteem or grandiosity
• Decreased need for sleep, they may feel rested after only a few hours of sleep, for example.
• Racing thoughts
• Easily distracted by minor or irrelevant ideas or details
• Hyper-sexuality or promiscuity
• Extremely goal oriented, may start a great many projects, although may not finish them
• Buying sprees
• Excessive gambling
Usually these symptoms of mania are strong enough so that the person is having difficulty functioning in their regular, everyday life.
Many of us are familiar with depression. For an individual with Type 1 bipolar disorder, an episode of depression can be an extreme experience compared to the average person. Depression for a person with bipolar 1 can feel like bottoming out emotionally, particularly if it is following a manic episode. Common symptoms of a depressive episode include:
• Excessive sleeping
• Persistently down mood
• Poor concentration
• Irritability
• Lack of desire to participate in previously enjoyable activities
• Low sexual desire
• Poor or little appetite
• Little energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive and inappropriate guilt
• Thoughts about death
• Suicidal thoughts
For individuals who swing back and forth between manic and depressive states, the dramatic differences between moods can be extremely distressing. Some individuals with bipolar disorders swing or cycle quickly between the two moods, while others may have long periods between dramatic mood swings.
Type 1 bipolar disorder is usually treated with a combination of medication and counselling therapy. Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is the result of a disorder of the biochemistry of the brain and while medication is helpful, often it can have uncomfortable side effects that make it difficult and challenging for individuals to stay in treatment. Common medications include Abilify, Depakote, Zyprexa, Lamictal and Tegretol among many others.
Counselling helps individuals with bipolar disorder understand the way in which their illness affects their life and relationships and helps them develop coping skills to recognize when they are becoming manic or depressed. Counsellors and Psychologists also help keep the perspective that it is important to maintain their medications and remain in treatment.
If you or someone you know is struggling with Type 1 bipolar disorder the first step is to ensure that the person has been assessed and treated by a Psychiatrist. Without proper medication persons can be at real risk. Once medication is commenced, if you would like to book a consultation with a qualified counsellor, psychologist or therapist or if would like to obtain further advice please contact:
Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney
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.
Book with Sydney’s most trusted network
With a wealth of experience and a board of certified professionals, you know you’re in safe hands.
★★★★★I have a very full schedule and wanted to find a therapist close to both where I work and where I live but I’ve found it harder than expected. I have had counselling before, but was not happy with my counsellor. Just not a great fit, and I was looking for a better one. Google, led me to stumble upon the great team at Counsellors Sydney; they’re professional, efficient, and really nice to speak to on the phone. I am sure they will provide me with some great options for who my new therapist will be.
★★★★★Mental health has never been a priority in my family and so when it came time to find myself some support, I didn’t have anyone to get some guidance on where to start. Counsellors Sydney was able to find me some matches really quickly and their helpful team enabled me to trust they know what they were doing. If I ever need to find therapy in Sydney again, I know where I’m heading first :) .
★★★★★I found Counsellors Sydney via google and I'm very happy with their help. They only got the required information from me, kept it light, and were very time efficient. Sadly, I did not feel comfortable with the assigned counsellor, but within 2 days of raising my concerns, I was speaking with a new one, so I was glad to have the help of a service rather than having to do the shopping around myself.
Reviews are shown as written, about our booking and matching service.
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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

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

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