Online Counsellors & Psychologists Australia

Yes. Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as face to face therapy. People are sometimes hesitant to try therapy by video at first, but studies show that in most cases the results, the improvement in symptoms and how satisfied clients feel are the same online as they are in person ².

Therapy by video has been used to treat insomnia ³, as well as depression, anxiety, stress and social anxiety, and to improve overall wellbeing ⁴.

An online session works the same way as a session in our rooms. You see and hear your counsellor or psychologist by video for the full length of the session, and they work with you just as they would if you were sitting across the room from them.

Our online clinicians are qualified counsellors and psychologists, and most of them also see clients in person at one of our practices. If you think online counselling might suit you, call us. Our intake team will answer your questions and help you work out whether what you are going through is suited to online sessions.

Once your appointment is booked, we email you clear instructions for joining the session, along with how to pay.

Online therapy is a convenient and safe option for most people. It is especially useful if getting to appointments is hard because of distance, living in a regional or remote area, mobility problems, childcare, or a busy work and travel schedule.

It also suits people who feel more at ease talking from home, and people who have moved away from Sydney but want to keep working with a clinician they know. Because sessions are by video, you can see one of our clinicians from anywhere in Australia.

Common concerns such as depression, worry, anxiety (including agoraphobia), stress, grief, life direction, relationship issues, pain management and anger management all work well in online sessions.

Research has found that some people feel less inhibited and speak more openly online, so online sessions can be especially useful when shame or embarrassment makes it hard to sit in a consulting room ¹. Concerns about sexuality, such as sexual orientation, compulsive sexual behaviour or sexual difficulties, are one example. Many people also find it easier online to talk about experiences or thoughts that feel awkward or that they feel ashamed of.

Online sessions can suit agoraphobia, a fear of open or public places, because for many people the journey to an appointment is the hardest part. Couples counselling works online too, and anyone seeing a counsellor on their own is welcome to talk about their relationship.

Online counselling is generally not appropriate when someone’s life may be in danger through self harm, when there is a risk of harm to others, or when there are concerns about the wellbeing of a child under 16.

Severe and ongoing psychiatric conditions that need a team of health professionals are also not suited to online counselling. Examples are psychosis, bipolar disorder that is not being treated with medication, and an eating disorder where the person’s life may be at risk. Bipolar disorder can be worked with online only when the person is also seeing a psychiatrist and taking their medication as prescribed.

If you are not sure whether online sessions are right for you, call us and we will talk it through. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000.

You need a computer, tablet or smartphone with a camera, a microphone and sound, and a strong, reliable internet connection. Most parts of Australia now have a good enough connection.

You also need a private space where you will not be disturbed for the whole session. Our clinicians use video services such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, and yours will tell you which one they use.

If you are not comfortable with video, you can arrange a telephone session instead and simply take a call from your therapist.

After you book, we email you a link to your session with clear instructions. At the time of your appointment, click the link. If the app is already on your device the session opens straight away. If it is not, you will be asked to download it, which only takes a few minutes, so it is worth clicking the link a little early the first time.

All you need on the day is your device, a reliable internet connection and a private space where you will not be interrupted.

In some cases, yes. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, a Medicare rebate may apply to online sessions with a psychologist or a registered mental health social worker, just as it does in person. You need to see your GP for the plan before your sessions start, and you should tell us you have one when you book.

Counselling sessions do not attract a Medicare rebate, but no referral is needed, so you can start straight away. Some private health funds pay a rebate for psychology or counselling, depending on your level of cover, so it is worth checking with your fund.

Payment instructions come with your booking confirmation. Most of our clinicians take payment by direct deposit through internet banking, and some take a credit card over the phone. Our fees are set out in the fees section above, and our team can tell you the fee for the clinician you choose before you book.

More than 30 of our counsellors and psychologists see clients online, and our intake team can help you choose between them with a single call. Tell them what is going on, the kind of approach you would like and anything else that matters to you, such as gender or language, and they will suggest clinicians who fit.

Weekdays 9am to 6pm a person answers the phone, and after hours you can request a callback. If the first match does not feel right, tell us and we will help you find a better one.