Our Locations
We have locations throughout Sydney and its surrounds. You can also access counselling through Zoom and Skype.
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St Leonards
Suite 3, Level 4/66 Pacific Highway
St Leonards NSW 2065
T:(02) 8004 9966 View details
Ryde
Suite 7, 117 North Road
Ryde NSW 2112
T:(02) 8004 9966 View details
West Ryde
79 Ryedale Rd
West Ryde NSW 2114
T:(02) 8004 9966 View details
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T:(02) 8205 0566 View details
Cronulla
Level 1, 26-32 Ewos Parade
Cronulla NSW 2230
T:(02) 8004 9961 View details
Earlwood
Boomerang Ave
Earlwood NSW 2206
T:(02) 8004 9969 View details
Glebe
1 Arundel St
Glebe NSW 2037
T:(02) 8094 1796 View details
Elizabeth Street
411/185 Elizabeth St
Sydney NSW 2000
T:(02) 8205 0566 View details
Miranda
29 Kiora Road
Miranda NSW 2228
T:(02) 8004 9960 View details
Surry Hills
302/88 Foveaux St
Surry Hills NSW 2010
T:(02) 8094 1790 View details
Bondi Junction
404/332 Oxford Street
Bondi Junction NSW 2022
T:(02) 8094 1792 View details
Parramatta
26 Marion Street
Parramatta NSW 2150
T:(02) 8897 0803 View details
Castle Hill
Suite 14, 15-17 Terminus St
Castle Hill NSW 2154
T:(02) 8090 0817 View details
Caringbah
Level 1, 418 Kingsway
Caringbah NSW 2229
T:(02) 8094 1799 View details
Erina Central Coast
Suite 10, 166A The Entrance Rd
Erina NSW 2250
T:(02) 8004 5170 View details
Dapto
Laver Road
Dapto NSW 2530
T:(02) 4210 6170 View details
Wollongong
81 Keira St
Wollongong NSW 2500
T:(02) 4210 6170 View details
Macquarie Street
504/135-137 Macquarie St
Sydney NSW 2000
T:(02) 8205 0566 View details
Cabramatta

Cabramatta West NSW 2166
T:(02) 8897 0803 View details
Campbelltown
3/167 Queen St
Campbelltown NSW 2650
T:(02) 8897 0811 View details
Dulwich Hill
Challis Ave
Dulwich Hill NSW 2203
T:02 8004 9963 View details
Lilyfield
1/358 Catherine St
Lilyfield, NSW 2040
T:(02) 8007 7337 View details
North Strathfield
Level 1/5 George St
North Strathfield NSW 2137
T:(02) 8004 9964 View details
Norwest
Suite 20/1 Maitland Place
Norwest NSW 2153
T:(02) 8820 0717 View details
Stanhope Gardens
1 View St
Stanhope Gardens NSW 2768
T:(02) 8820 0717 View details
Beecroft
Karril Ave
Beecroft NSW 2119
T:(02) 8820 0717 View details
Bella Vista
Q Central Building, Suite 208A, 10 Norbrik Drive
Bella Vista NSW 2153
T:(02) 8820 0717 View details
Hornsby
202/16 Hunter St
Hornsby NSW 2077
T:(02) 8004 9965 View details
Northbridge
343 Sailors Bay Rd
Northbridge NSW 2063
T:(02) 8094 1793 View details
Chatswood
54/47 Neridah St
Chatswood NSW 2067
T:(02) 8004 8510 View details
Mosman
The Cottage, 44 Avenue Road
Mosman NSW 2088
T:(02) 8897 0810 View details
Cremorne
4/350 Military Rd
Cremorne NSW 2090
T:(02) 8897 0810 View details
Lane Cove
Room 3, 67 Burns Bay Rd
Lane Cove NSW 2066
T:(02) 8002 1201 View details
Narrabeen
9/12 Rickard Rd
North Narrabeen NSW 2101
T:(02) 8404 0622 View details
Dee Why (Narraweena)
Mundara Place
Narraweena NSW 2099
T:(02) 8404 0622 View details
Kogarah
Suite 5.01, Level 5, 15 Kensington Street
Kogarah NSW 2217
T:(02) 8897 0806 View details
Gosford
54 Hills St
North Gosford NSW 2250
T:(02) 8094 1785 View details
(02) 8205 0566
Mon-Fri: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Booking Request
We'll be in touch the same business day with some great options.


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    We have received your enquiry.

    We will call you today to discuss your enquiry. normally within 2 hours.

    We offer each caller a personalised service to help you to make an informed choice about counselling. Part of our service is to take the time to answer your important questions and to help you decide on the practitioner who is best suited to your needs.

    On busier days there may be a delay. Please wait as we will call you and intend to offer you our full attention and assistance within 24 hours.

    With ‘Associated Counsellors’ you are in good hands assured that your therapist is professionally registered and bound by a code of professional ethics and conduct.

    relationship and marriage counselling
    Grief Bereavement

    Counselling for Complex Grief

    Counselling, in person or online.

    CALL 02 8205 0566Weekdays 9am to 6pm, a person answers
    REQUEST A CALLBACKAfter hours, or any time
    • A grief counsellor can help you to move through your loss when you feel like you have become stuck in the grieving process.
    • Normal grief follows a series of stages that move from shock to remembrance and onward toward eventual acceptance.
    • Abnormal grief (known as Complex or Pathological Grief) is diagnosed when a person fails to reach the stage of acceptance and finds themselves unable to get on with their life.

    Complex Grief

    Grief is an emotional state that is the result of a loss. The loss can be due to the death of a loved one, a pet or a job, or something else we deem important. Everyone experiences loss at some point in their life, and how they work through the stages of grief can have a tremendous impact on how well they adjust to life after loss.

    specialist couples and marriage counselling sydney

    Clinicians offering grief counselling

    Neera

    Neera

    Registered Psychotherapist

    Surry Hills

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

    Individuals ✓

    Phone bookings weekdays 9am-6pm02 8205 0566
    Book with Neera
    Atia

    Atia

    Counsellor & Relationship Therapist

    GlebeOnline

    Atia is a degree-qualified counsellor with over 15 years experience working with individuals and couples. Compassionate and supportive, Atia supports her clients to develop self-awareness, empowering them to improve their wellbeing.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓Weekends ✓Czech ✓

    Phone bookings weekdays 9am-6pm02 8205 0566
    Book with Atia
    Paul

    Paul

    Registered Psychologist

    St LeonardsOnline

    Paul is a Registered Psychologist and SIRA-accredited practitioner with a background in the corporate space. Empathetic and personable, Paul is dedicated to supporting meaningful change in the lives of his clients.

    Individuals ✓After hours ✓

    Phone bookings weekdays 9am-6pm02 8205 0566
    Book with Paul
    Sue

    Sue

    Registered Counsellor

    Surry Hills

    Sue is a Masters-qualified counsellor. Compassionate and authentic, Sue supports individuals to better understand the interplay between their internal world and their external relationships.

    Individuals ✓After hours ✓

    Dinah

    Dinah

    Registered Counsellor

    Sydney CBDOnline

    Dinah is a degree-qualified counsellor with almost 10 years experience. Empathetic and optimistic, Dinah works in partnership with her clients, empowering them to bring about positive change and feel happier in their lives.

    Individuals ✓After hours ✓

    Revi

    Revi

    Counsellor & Relationship Therapist

    Bondi JunctionOnline

    Revi holds a Master of Social Work (Counselling) and has over 20 years experience counselling both individuals and couples. Compassionate and client-centred, Revi is passionate about helping her clients navigate life’s challenges.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓After hours ✓Hebrew ✓

    Howard

    Howard

    Registered Psychologist

    NarraweenaOnline

    Howard is a Registered Psychologist with over 25 years experience working with individuals, couples and families. He uses a practical but supportive approach, aiming to assist his clients to achieve their goals as quickly as possible.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓Weekends ✓

    Wade

    Wade

    Counsellor & Psychotherapist

    CaringbahOnline

    Wade is a tertiary-qualified Registered Counsellor with almost a decade of experience across hospital, community and private-practice settings. Warm and grounded, Wade works with individuals, creating a trusting space to allow for deep reflection.

    Individuals ✓After hours ✓

    Graciela

    Graciela

    Counsellor & Relationship Therapist

    DaptoOnline

    Graciela is a Masters-qualified counsellor with over 15 years experience working with individuals and couples. With a gentle approach, Graciela helps her clients develop awareness and gain control of their lives and relationships.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓Weekends ✓Spanish ✓

    See all our clinicians

    Not sure who to choose?

    Call 02 8205 0566

    Weekdays 9am to 6pm, a person answers

    Request a callback

    After hours, or any time

    Why people choose us

    How we help you find the right clinician

    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

    A person answers the phone

    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

    We match you to a clinician

    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

    Your booking is scheduled

    We confirm your booking in writing so that you know when and where you’ll be meeting your new therapist.

    The guide

    Normal Grief

    Normal grief follows a period of days, weeks or months and every person has their own rate of processing the loss. For some people, grief may last for several days or weeks and they may be finished with the process, for others the grief can be experienced for a significantly longer period of time.

    The duration of grief will also depend on the nature of the loss. Grief is different to depression. You can read more about depression here.

    Mental health practitioners indicate that there are four broad stages for grief.

    We can label the first stage of grief as the “Outcry.” This is when the initial impact of the loss is felt. People in this stage often react physically by crying, sobbing or tearing their clothes. This stage does not often last for a long period of time.

    The second stage is referred to as a stage of “Denial and Intrusion.” During this period, normal life goes on and the individual may forget their grief for short periods of time, then the impact of the loss will reappear and the feelings of grief may re-emerge, only to subside again.

    The third stage of grief is often referred to as a period of “Working Through.” During this stage, the individual is working toward acceptance of the loss. Memories of who or what has been lost become less intense and the grief becomes a dull ache, rather than an intense stab of surprise and pain.

    The fourth and final stage of grief is sometimes referred to as a stage of “Completion.” In this final stage of grief, the individual experiences full acceptance of the loss and moves on with life.

    If the loss is due to the death of a loved one, then the individual is able to think about them and have memories of them without falling apart or feeling intense pain and loss. (This article is electronically protected, Copyright © Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney PTY LTD)

    Most of us do not follow a linear process as we go through these stages of grief, instead we go back and forth between “denial and intrusion” and working our way through the loss, until we are ready to reach “completion.” However, for some people, the process becomes stuck and the intense feelings of grief do not recede over time. Psychologists refer to this as Complex Grief or Pathological Grief.

    What is complex or pathological Grief?

    Abnormal grief, also known as complex grief or pathological loss, is when the feelings of grief and loss begin to interfere with our ability to return to regular life after a reasonable period of mourning. Although everyone experiences grief in their own fashion, continued feelings of depression, the inability to sleep and eat, and denial of feelings of grief will interfere with a person’s capacity to live life.

    For individuals who experience this form of grief, counselling with a professional counsellor, therapist or psychologist can be helpful. In extreme forms, complex grief, or pathological loss, can include psychosis, including hallucinations (e.g. in the situation where loss is experienced through death, that the deceased person is talking to you or delusions that you are dying of the same thing).

    People experiencing complex grief often suffer from feelings of guilt about possible actions that they could have taken to change the situation and prevent loss. Complex grief can also be accompanied by suicidal thoughts, a preoccupation with feelings of worthlessness and prolonged functional impairment.

    One distinguishing aspect of complex grief, and one which might help you to recognise the symptoms, is the reactions of those around a grieving individual. Normal grief elicits sympathy, support and consolation from those around you.

    In contrast, a person who is experiencing abnormal grief will often start to notice that the response from their family and friends has turned from sympathy to annoyance and irritation. (This article is electronically protected, Copyright © Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney PTY LTD)

    Counselling and therapy for complex grief

    Prolonged grief is very disruptive to a person’s life and in many ways resembles major depression. The individual may have difficulty sleeping or may be sleeping a great deal; they may avoid situations in which they need to expend a great deal of energy and they may feel lethargic or fatigued much of the time. They may also have difficulty eating.

    Working with a professional counsellor, therapist or psychologist can help a person who is coping with abnormal or prolonged bereavement. A counsellor will help you understand why you are feeling so badly about the loss of your loved one or the situation at hand.

    In many instances, a counsellor, psychologist or therapist will help you work your way through the stages of grief, listening to your memories of your loved one and encouraging you to find a balance for continuing everyday normal activities.

    In some instances, a professional counsellor or psychologist may recommend that you visit a psychiatrist for medication. In some circumstances, antidepressants will be prescribed for grief-induced depression where Complex Grief is present.

    Whilst medication alone is rarely effective in treating grief or depression, it can help with cognitive impairment and improves the ability to think clearly. Once this is established, it can become easier to integrate the concepts and ideas that counselling provides. (This article is electronically protected, Copyright © Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney PTY LTD)

    Seeking help for complex and prolonged grief

    If you or someone you care about is experiencing abnormal or prolonged grief after a major loss, you or they may benefit from talking with a professional, qualified counsellor, therapist or psychologist. If you would like more information or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney.

    If you would like further information you may also like to read a story of someone who overcame their loss with grief counselling.

    Questions

    Questions about grief

    Before you book

    Do I need a referral?

    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.

    How soon can I get an appointment?

    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.

    Can I see someone in person or online?

    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.

    What happens in the first session?

    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.

    What are the fees, and can I claim Medicare?

    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.

    Fees & rebates

    Clear fees, no surprises

    Counsellors

    From $150per 55-minute session
    No referral needed · start straight away

    Social workers

    From $200per 55-minute session
    Medicare rebate may apply, please speak to our staff

    Psychologists

    From $200per 55-minute session
    Medicare rebate may apply, please speak to our staff

    Clinical psychologists

    From $230per 55-minute session
    Medicare rebate may apply, please speak to our staff

    Every clinician is fully registered and insured, and bound by their professional association's Code of Ethics, as our counsellor guarantee sets out.

    How to get started, and how Medicare can help
    Pathway A · Start now
    Book directly
    • No referral needed, so you can start straight away.
    • No Medicare rebate on this path.
    • You can still get a plan from your GP later and start claiming Medicare then. If a rebate matters, ask for a psychologist.
    Pathway B · With Medicare
    See your GP
    • Your GP assesses you. If you are eligible you get a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
    • The plan lets you claim Medicare rebates.
    • Tell us you have a plan and ask for a psychologist or registered mental health social worker when you book.
    • The rebate only applies to services provided by psychologists or registered mental health social workers.

    Not sure which suits you? Speak to our team about your options.

    Getting started

    From first call to first session

    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.

    Call us, or ask us to call youMon to Fri 9am to 6pm a live intake specialist answers. No referral needed.
    We listen and matchBy concern, therapy style, gender, language and location across our practices and telehealth.
    Your first sessionIn person at a practice near you or by video, with evening and weekend times available.
    Review the fitIf it doesn't feel right, tell us, we'll rematch you quickly.
    Reviews

    What clients say about getting matched

    4.8
    186 Google reviews across our 19 practice listings
    Counted 1 October 2026. Read them all on Google
    ★★★★★

    My therapist retired I was very scared I wouldn’t pick the right new one. These guys are really understanding of your individual needs and made sure I was shown all the best options before I got to choose. My previous psychologist was a man, so I wanted another man and in the end, I was provided with a choice of 3, the first of whom I am chatting with online tomorrow.

    Phillip A · April 2022
    ★★★★★

    I’ve received therapy on and off since my childhood, and every time I move, I have to find another therapist. The time and energy it takes me are just too much, which is where Associated Counsellors Sydney was great. It’s such a quick and easy process and they found me a suitable therapist on the first try!

    Terry O · April 2022
    ★★★★★

    Friendly team, fast process, and overall really handy service to have. As it turned out, I did not gel well with the psychologist provided, but they did arrange a replacement very quickly.

    Lyle S · April 2022

    Reviews are shown as written, about our booking and matching service.

    We are not a crisis service. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000. For 24/7 support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
    Request a Booking