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Difficulty in Relationships
Failed Relationships Fear of Intimacy & Commitment Issues
Medicare rebateswith a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan
Welcoming new clientsin person and online across Sydney
Counselling and therapy can help
Read more
Emotional intimacy is an essential component of any good relationship. Fear of intimacy and a lack of trust in relationships often derives from the family interactions you witnessed and experienced as a child. Counselling and therapy can help you conquer your fear of emotional closeness and allow you to experience the full value of a positive relationship. Another article offers specific information about sex therapy and sexual issues.
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker & Couple Therapist
West RydeOnline
Jenna is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over 15 years' experience across government health services and private practice. Warm and trauma-informed, Jenna works with individuals and couples to build safety, understanding and stronger connection, and build more secure connections with themselves and others.
Mike has a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and over 20 years experience working with individuals and couples. His success as a counsellor is consistently demonstrated by the deep clinical relationship he has with clients.
Megan is a Registered Counsellor with extensive experience supporting individuals and couples. Warm and empathetic, Megan uses an evidence-based, person-centred approach to help clients gain insight and create meaningful change. She is also an Accredited Mediator.
Neri is a Masters-qualified counsellor and psychotherapist with over 10 years experience working with both individuals and couples. Compassionate and insightful, Neri empowers her clients to transform their lives and relationships.
Individuals ✓Couples ✓After hours ✓Vietnamese ✓
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Naomi
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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.
Individuals ✓Couples ✓Weekends ✓
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Revi
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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 ✓
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Graciela
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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 ✓
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Jennifer
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Jennifer is a Masters-qualified counsellor with many years of experience. Collaborative and process-orientated, Jenny works with both individual and couples clients to develop healthier relationships with themselves and with others.
Individuals ✓Couples ✓After hours ✓
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Atia
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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 ✓
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Christine
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Christine is a tertiary-qualified counsellor with over 20 years experience working with individuals and couples. She emphasises a collaborative approach to therapy, working with the client as an active partner in their treatment.
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Andrea
Psychologist & Couples Counsellor
Chatswood
Andrea is a Registered Psychologist with over 20 years experience working with individuals and couples. Andrea helps her clients process and regulate their emotions, working with mind and body to sustain long-lasting change.
Individuals ✓Couples ✓Weekends ✓German ✓
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Rose
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Sydney CBDOnline
Rose is a Masters-qualified counsellor and Registered Mental Health Social Worker with over 20 years experience. Working with both individuals and couples, Rose empowers her clients to enhance their wellbeing and achieve their goals.
Individuals ✓Couples ✓
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John
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Individuals ✓Couples ✓
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Gaul
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker & Relationship Counsellor
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Laura
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Laura is a Masters-qualified counsellor with extensive experience. Known for her warm and grounded presence, Laura helps individuals, couples and parents to uncover their own capacity for healing and meaningful change.
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Counsellor & Psychotherapist
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Individuals ✓Couples ✓
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Counsellor & Couples Therapist
ParramattaOnline
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Individuals ✓Couples ✓Weekends ✓Arabic ✓
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Individuals ✓Couples ✓Weekends ✓Greek ✓
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Theodora
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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
Fear of intimacy and its affect on your relationships
Deep and emotionally intimate relationships are what many of us desire, but for some people, these types of relationships are fraught with the fear of being hurt or being rejected. Of all of the activities that humans engage in, being in a relationship with another person is probably the hardest thing we ever attempt.
Very often, family history and what we are taught about relationships has a huge impact on how we approach intimacy as we become adults. It is only when we gain self-understanding and learn about the underlying reasons for our fears that we can begin to relax into mutually trusting relationships, reaching emotional depth and satisfaction.
Matthew’s Story
Matthew is an articulate and intelligent man in his early 40s. He is well established in his career and frequently dates, although he never seems to have a steady girlfriend for more than a few months. Although he occasionally wishes that he were married and had a family, he finds that he rarely dates anyone for longer than a few months.
One day Matthew realizes that of all his old school friends, he is the only one without a long-term serious partner. He starts to wonder whether he might be the common problem factor in his string of unsuccessful relationships. He starts to suspect that he might be pushing women away, and sabotaging good relationships, due to a fear of intimacy.
On some level, he suspects he will probably never get married or have children of his own. Yet this knowledge makes Matthew feel sad and lonely. Matthew decides to visit a professional counsellor to talk about what is clearly a pattern of failed, short-term relationships. His counsellor helps him sketch out a personal as well as a family history and in the course of therapy, Matthew is reminded of his poor relationship with his parents growing up.
Although he was never physically or emotionally abused, he did remember that his parents fought a lot while he was growing up. He remembered that he often heard them fighting and blaming each other or their children for their stress and arguments.
Furthermore, with the help of the counsellor, Matthew realised that while he was growing up he craved his parents’ attention but because they both worked long hours, they seldom spent any time with him. Most of the interactions he had with his mother, whilst growing up, had to do with her scolding him for his poor grades in school and she often engaged in negative comparisons between him and his more accomplished siblings.
Through counselling, Matthew realises that he came from a family where his parents constantly fought with each other and had little time to truly engage with him emotionally. He also comes to the realisation that while he loved his entire family, at some level he had sworn to himself that he would never enter into a marriage or allow what happened to him to happen to another child.
Matthew realises that his fear of intimacy and marriage is a fear that in marrying he will find himself trapped in a loveless marriage, making victims of his own children as he was once emotionally neglected in childhood. He realises that he must work on these fears before he is able to move on to establishing a healthy relationship with a long-term partner.
What do our parents teach us about relationships?
Our parents are our first role models in life. They teach us about safety, security and our value as people. They also teach us about relationships -about respect, trust and how to be with another person.
For those of us brought up in families where constant conflict exists, our parents teach us that being married, or being in a committed relationship, means being frequently angry at one another. As children, we do not always understand what parents or adults fight about, but we certainly recognise anger and upset feelings when we are around them.
Children raised in an atmosphere of loud angry voices, recriminations and accusations can grow up to be adults who avoid conflict at any cost. They may be unwilling, or even unable, to voice their own emotions or opinions that are negative or different from that of their partner’s.
Another thing that we learn about as children from our parents is trust. Trust takes many forms. It can be trust that the world is a safe place, where our needs will be met, or trust in the people around us.
Children who are abused, neglected, ignored or regularly criticised, often become adults who have a very difficult time relaxing and trusting that it is okay to let down our emotional guards and to let someone else in.
Even those of us who were not victims of physical or serious emotional abuse as children can still have a difficult time trusting intimate others, if we come from a family that did not value us for simply being who we were as individuals.
Why is trust important in relationships?
Trust is the foundation of all emotionally intimate relationships. The very nature of relationships requires that we trust enough in other people to share our inner feelings and thoughts with them, even though that sharing may make us vulnerable and at risk of being hurt or rejected.
Intimate relationships are not limited to romantic or sexual relationships either, but instead can include almost any type of relationship, including friends, family and even co-workers.
Deep trust is not something that usually happens instantaneously when we meet someone new. Instead it is something that most often develops over time, with each person taking small risks in trusting the other person, by sharing small pieces of information and gauging the reactions to that information.
For example, on a first meeting, we might share what kind of work we do, or our favourite food or the types of movies we enjoy. We probably would not share stories about our first sexual experience or our deepest fears. Not only would this be ill-advised, but it would probably be alarming to the other person because it would be sharing at an inappropriate level for a first meeting.
As a relationship develops, we gradually begin to share thoughts and feelings which further develop trust. In some ways, it is like the children’s game “one for you, one for me.” We share something about ourselves, “I really love the colour of leaves when the seasons change,”, and the other person shares something about themselves at a similar level, “me too, don’t you just love the deep hues of red and gold?”
As time passes, the exchanges become more meaningful as we are able to share without fearing rejection or hurt for what we are sharing, “It really scares me to think about being old and being unable to take care of myself,” “I know, my grandmother suffered from Alzheimer’s before she died and it was awful to watch.”
Intimacy and sex: Are they the same thing?
Very often we hear of a couple being “intimate” and understand that it is a polite way of saying that they have been sexual with each other. However, intimacy can be far more complex and multi-faceted than a sexual relationship.
For many individuals, fear of intimacy and apprehensions about deeply emotional relationships can be roadblocks to truly fulfilling relationships. The reasons for these fears can be substantial and are generally brought about by an overwhelming desire to avoid past hurts. Distinguishing between sex and intimacy may be a foundational step toward establishing a truly fulfilling relationship.
Why is being vulnerable difficult?
For many of us, being vulnerable means that we must trust enough to risk being hurt by the other person. This can be a very scary prospect, especially if past experiences have shown us that trusting and opening up emotionally can leave us hurting and filled with regret and pain.
Another reason that opening up to another person can be so difficult, is that many of us grew up in homes where vulnerability was not valued. It may also be that we witnessed family members getting hurt because of trusting and sharing.
A family history of domestic violence, emotional manipulation or simply being told that our thoughts and feelings are not important, valid, or should not be shared, can also be reason why some people become wary of becoming emotionally vulnerable to another person.
Why am I scared of emotional intimacy and vulnerability?
While coming from a family history of emotional neglect or devaluing can certainly contribute to a reluctance to being emotionally vulnerable, another reason people often become hesitant to get emotionally involved has to do with power dynamics. Often, we are faced with the difficulty that if we open ourselves up emotionally to another person through trust and vulnerability, then we also run the risk of that person having knowledge about us that we might not share with others.
This can be a scary proposition, particularly if what we are sharing is a part of ourselves that we protect and rarely, if ever, reveal to anyone else. If we come from a position of never wanting anyone else to have power over us, then letting our defenses down and becoming vulnerable can be one of the scariest things we ever do.
Casey’s story
Casey was in her mid 30s and had a successful career in advertising. She dated fairly often, but usually within a few months of meeting someone and going out a few times, she found that she had a hard time sharing or even really talking about her feelings with them.
If she was pressed to talk about her past or about what she wanted for the future, she found she would soon break off the relationship. While she felt lonely and knew that she eventually wanted to have a family, she would always find herself feeling afraid of losing her sense of self, if she really allowed herself to enter a long term, committed relationship.
Casey met Jeremy and they hit it off quite quickly. Except Jeremy was different, he didn’t seem to want to be sexual without getting to know her first. He was gentle, but persistent, and began asking Casey why trust was so difficult for her.
Casey began to realise that he had a point, she didn’t really trust him, or anyone else for that matter. When he encouraged her to talk to a counsellor, she found a therapist she eventually began to trust, who helped her come to understand what in her family history and past experiences stood between her and the relationship and family she wanted for herself.
How Can Counselling Help with Fear of Intimacy?
Seeking the help of a professional counsellor, psychologist or therapist can allow you to gain an understanding of your family history and how you developed or failed to develop a sense of trust in other people. Counselling sessions may also be able to help you uncover how your family relationship patterns can be passed down from generation to generation.
Common methods for addressing relationship intimacy issues include:
The Psycho-dynamic approach. This allows the counsellor to work with the client to establish a safe relationship within therapy. Eventually, the client may learn what a safe relationship is and then can hopefully go on to create similar relationships outside of therapy.
Family Genograms or Relationship Pattern Graphs
Talking about Fears
Role Playing
Discussions About Personal Relationship History
Ultimately, working with a counsellor, therapist, or psychologist may help you conquer your fears about trust and emotional closeness so that you can begin to engage in satisfying and mutually beneficial relationships.
If you are struggling with relationship problems and would like to book a consultation with a qualified counsellor, or would like to obtain further advice please contact: Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney
Questions
Questions about relationships
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.
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
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189 Google reviews across our 20 practice listings Counted 7 October 2026. Read them all on Google
My wife wanted to change counsellors but neither of us had the energy to actually spend time looking for a counsellor so it was great when we found Counselling Sydney. They found us plenty of options and we didn’t have to take more than an hour out of our day to explain what we needed. Great Job.
★★★★★
Counselling Sydney’s team went above and beyond for my husband and me and made what could have been an awkward experience, super smooth. One phone call and form later and our first appointment was today. Thanks!.
★★★★★
I have had some bad experiences finding counsellors in the past so I wanted to make sure the counsellor I found for my girlfriend and I was good the first time around. Counsellors Sydney asked a few key questions and was able to find us a suitable candidate that totally fit the bill. Very impressed with the attention to detail of this team.
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Jenna
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker & Couple Therapist
West RydeOnline
Works with most issues
Anxiety
Depression
Grief
Relationship Concerns
Trauma
Addiction
Strong interest in
ADHD
Anxiety (Generalised)
Autism
Depression
Suicidal Thoughts
Grief
Parenting
Childhood Trauma
Trauma and PTSD
Women's Health
Jenna is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Relationship Therapist with over 15 years experience supporting individuals, couples and families. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Melbourne and is endorsed as a Specialist Couple Therapist by Relationships Australia (Victoria).
Jenna's career began in family services, supporting vulnerable children and families across a range of community and health settings. This included developing group programs for mothers experiencing mental health difficulties and social isolation, giving her broad experience across the different stages of family life. She now works in private practice where she works with clients from a broad cross section of the community.
Jenna supports both individuals and couples experiencing a wide range of issues including anxiety and depression, attachment and connection, historical or intergenerational trauma, sexual and intimacy issues, affairs, family conflict and communication difficulties. She has particular experience supporting neurodivergent clients, and holds a special interest in perinatal mental health, including the transition to parenthood, parent-child attachment, and birth trauma.
Jenna draws on a strengths-based, attachment, family-systems and trauma-informed framework, tailoring her approach to the needs of each client. She integrates Internal Family Systems therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Gottman Method couple therapy, and is a qualified Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator, drawing on this when working with parents of young children.
Jenna works with individuals and couples to build an authentic, safe and trusting relationship in which to understand the challenges they face, helping clients build resilience and form deeper, more secure connections with themselves and others.
Working hours
Mondays10:00am to 1:00pm
Tuesdays & Wednesdays4:00pm to 7:00pm
Fees and rebates
Accredited mental health social worker
$200 to $220
fee range, per 55-minute session
Please ask for the exact fee when you call.
Medicare rebates
You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate. Your GP can assess you and write a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Tell us if you already have one when you book, and ask for a psychologist or a registered mental health social worker, because the rebate only covers those. See the full fee table
Mike is registered as a Clinical Psychologist and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society. He works with adults with anxiety disorders, depression, addictions, trauma, relationships and has a special interest in working with LGBTQ+ clients. His therapeutic approach uses CBT, ACT and mindfulness for letting go of unhelpful thoughts, being present with difficult emotions and connecting to your values; the things that really matter to you.
He completed his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2003. His doctoral training included internships in adult mental health, forensics, child & family services, and intellectual disabilities. His post-doctoral training has included skills in ACT, DBT and training in professional supervision.
Mike has worked in sexual health services in London, community mental health services in Auckland, student counselling at the University of Auckland and as a forensic psychologist in Sydney. He is one of our most senior clinicians and has been providing online therapy since 2012.
Working hours
Monday to Friday11:00am to 7:00pm
Fees and rebates
Clinical psychologist
$230 to $245
fee range, per 55-minute session
Please ask for the exact fee when you call.
Medicare rebates
You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate. Your GP can assess you and write a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Tell us if you already have one when you book, and ask for a psychologist or a registered mental health social worker, because the rebate only covers those. See the full fee table
Megan is a Registered Counsellor and member of the Australian Counselling Association. She holds a Diploma of Counselling from the Australian Institute of Counsellors, as well as advanced accreditations in a number of areas including suicide preventation, relationship counselling, conflict resolution, abuse and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture competence.
Throughout her career, Megan has worked extensively with a diverse range of clients in both the private and community health space. Prior to commencing private practice, Megan worked in corporate roles for a number of years, which required the facilitation of training programs and client management, helping her holistic and person-centred approach to counselling today.
In private practice, Megan creates a safe and empathetic atmosphere to facilitate the use of introspection to gain news understandings. Megan uses evidence-based interventions to observe and tailor her therapy to the individuals’ needs, as well as aid those in crisis to develop personalised long-term solutions. Her preferred approaches include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), goal setting and Mindfulness. In her work with couples, Megan favours the Gottman approach
Megan is able to assist clients with a range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, relationships, intimacy, grief and loss, stress, body image, life skills, conflict resolution, as well as more complex mental health such as domestic violence and trauma. In her work with couples, Megan supports her clients to lessen conflict, increase intimacy and affection, remove barriers to feelings of stagnation and increase connection between partners.
Megan is a compassionate and altruistic practitioner focused on helping individuals and couples gain insight into their lives through a warm and empathetic approach. With a focus on building a trusting relationship and open environment in her sessions, Megan helps her clients to overcome life’s difficulties and live happier, more fulfilling lives.
Working hours
Mondays to Wednesdays9:30am to 6:00pm, St Leonards
Thursdays8:00am to 5:15pm, Narrabeen
Fridays8.30am to 2pm, Narrabeen
Fees and rebates
Counsellor
$150 to $220
fee range, per 55-minute session
Please ask for the exact fee when you call.
No referral needed
No referral is needed, so you can start straight away. This fee does not attract a Medicare rebate. See the full fee table
Neri is a Registered Counsellor and Psychotherapist with more than 10 years experience in the mental health field. She holds extensive qualifications relevant to her work, including a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from the University of Sydney, as well as both a Postgraduate Diploma of Counselling and a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Neri is also a clinical member and accredited supervisor of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
Throughout her career, Neri has worked extensively with a diverse range of individuals, couples and families across multiple sectors, including public, private, community and corporate health. Prior to moving into private practice, Neri worked in a hospital setting, providing inpatient support to at-risk patients, using evidence-based mental health assessments to cater for their individual needs. She has also led, supported and supervised a variety of psychologically-based programs aimed at developing employment opportunities for NDIS participants.
In private practice, Neri focuses on empowering her clients using an integrated and person-centred approach, which includes such modalities as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Therapy and Psychodynamic methods. In her sessions, Neri assists her clients with a variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, stress, phobias, body image, harassment, chronic pain, gender issues, grief and loss, religious and identity concerns, as well as more complex mental health such as brain injuries, trauma and PTSD, addiction and dependencies. She has experience working with persons presenting on the autism spectrum or with intellectual disabilities.
In her work with couples, Neri believes in the strength of connectedness, and can assist clients with communication problems, parenting concerns, infidelidity, stagnation and sexual issues.
Neri is a compassionate and insightful counsellor, who aims to transform her clients’ situations through catering to their individual needs. Through creating trusting and safe environments during her sessions, Neri empowers her clients to move towards a happier and healthier life.
Working hours
Mondays to Fridays9:00am to 7:00pm
Fees and rebates
Counsellor
$150 to $220
fee range, per 55-minute session
Please ask for the exact fee when you call.
No referral needed
No referral is needed, so you can start straight away. This fee does not attract a Medicare rebate. See the full fee table
Naomi is a Registered Psychologist with over 20 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology Honours) from Monash University and has been trained in a variety of therapies for individuals, couples, and families.
Having worked in both public settings and private practice, Naomi has the experience and training to assist her clients with a range of concerns, including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, addictions, trauma, stress, self-esteem and relationships. Part of Naomi’s approach is to explore how her clients’ present issues have been influenced by their previous experiences.
When working with couples, Naomi aims to bring her clients into a space in which they can be oriented towards caring for, and empathising with, one another. She draws on Family Systems and Attachment theories to inform her approach, and she has been formally trained in Gottman Therapy.
Naomi also has a particular interest in perinatal mental health. She is a recognised provider of perinatal non-directive counselling, and her training in this area has provided her with the expertise to support individuals experiencing mental health issues before, during and after pregnancy.
Naomi’s personal therapeutic approach is warm, empathic and client-centred. She assists clients by drawing on their strengths and helping them develop the necessary skills required to overcome their difficulties, and improve coping.
Working hours
Mondays9:00am to 7:00pm
Wednesdays9:00am to 3:30pm
Fees and rebates
Psychologist
$200 to $265
fee range, per 55-minute session
Please ask for the exact fee when you call.
Medicare rebates
You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate. Your GP can assess you and write a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Tell us if you already have one when you book, and ask for a psychologist or a registered mental health social worker, because the rebate only covers those. See the full fee table
Howard is a Registered Psychologist with over 25 years experience in the provision of individual, couples and family therapy. He holds a Masters in Psychology from Sydney University and a Masters in Organisational Psychology from the University of New South Wales. He has also studied workplace counselling at the Australian Catholic University and undertaken training in couples and family therapy with Relationships Australia.
Howard has worked extensively in the public health, corporate and military sectors, as well as in the private sector. He has experience in a variety of modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychodrama, Psychoanalysis, Family Systems Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Organisational Change, and works eclectically across all these therapeutic forms to suit the individual needs of his clients.
He has worked successfully with clients presenting with a wide range of challenges including anxiety, workplace stress, depression, drug & alcohol addiction, trauma, anger and relationship problems. He uses a practical but supportive approach, aiming to assist his clients to achieve their goals as quickly as possible.
Howard works with his clients to help them achieve a richer, fuller and more meaningful life.
Working hours
Mondays to Fridays11:00am to 5:45pm
Saturdays11:00am to 2:45pm
Fees and rebates
Psychologist
$200 to $265
fee range, per 55-minute session
Please ask for the exact fee when you call.
Medicare rebates
You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate. Your GP can assess you and write a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Tell us if you already have one when you book, and ask for a psychologist or a registered mental health social worker, because the rebate only covers those. See the full fee table
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.
Working hours
Fridays10:00am to 5:15pm
Saturdays9:00am to 3:00pm
Fees and rebates
Counsellor
$150 to $220
fee range, per 55-minute session
Please ask for the exact fee when you call.
No referral needed
No referral is needed, so you can start straight away. This fee does not attract a Medicare rebate. See the full fee table
Revi is a professional Psychotherapist and Counsellor and an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, with over two decades of experience counselling both individuals and couples. Revi holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and a Masters of Social Work (Counselling).
Revi is experienced in working with a range of presentations including anxiety, stress, trauma, depression, relationship dynamics, conflict resolution and family support. She is an experienced relationship therapist. She also has experience in veteran and family counselling, addressing substance misuse and transition challenges. Additionally, Revi has worked with corporate clients providing workplace mental health support and has experience with critical incident responses and as an EAP provider.
As a counsellor, Revi is compassionate, holistic and client-centred. She utilises various evidence-based approaches including, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, Trauma-Informed care, the Gottman Method of relationship therapy, and Imago.
Revi tailors her services to meet each of her client’s unique needs and works collaboratively to create a supportive and empowering environment during her sessions. Revi is passionate about helping her clients navigate life’s challenges, foster resilience and achieve personal growth.
Working hours
Tuesdays & Thursdays10:30am to 5:00pm
Fees and rebates
Counsellor
$150 to $220
fee range, per 55-minute session
Please ask for the exact fee when you call.
No referral needed
No referral is needed, so you can start straight away. This fee does not attract a Medicare rebate. See the full fee table
Graciela is a Registered Counsellor and couples therapist, with over 15 years experience in the mental health space. She holds both a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Western Sydney, an Advanced Diploma in Individual and Family Counselling, and a Masters in Counselling from Monash University.
Beginning her career in the government sector, Graciela assessed, supervised and treated vulnerable members of the population, developing programs and interventions for at-risk youth and victims of domestic violence. From her time at the Department of Juvenile Justice, Graciela provided individualised counselling to clients from diverse backgrounds, developing her personalised approach to therapy today.
In private practice, Graciela’s approach to therapy is founded in pragmatism, focusing on empowering her clients to achieve their goals, develop resilience and strengthen their emotional and mental health to overcome life’s challenges. Utilising an eclectic mix of modalities, Graciela prioritises approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Trauma Informed Therapy, Systemic Family Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Within her sessions, Graciela can assist clients in a range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, self-esteem, relationship issues, career/transition issues, as well as more complex mental health such as trauma, suicidal ideation and victims of domestic violence.
As a couples and family therapist, Graciela is passionate about seeing relationships develop, often aiding her clients in communication, stagnation, intimacy concerns, arguments and identifying key concerns inhibiting connection.
Graciela is a warm and empathetic practitioner whose gentle and gracious approach encourages clients to feel at ease within her sessions. Through developing her patients’ awareness and understanding of their own circumstances, Graciela enables individuals to explore their presenting concerns and gain control over their life and relationships for the better.
Working hours
Thursdays9:00am to 6:00pm
Fridays3:00pm to 6:00pm
Saturday9:00am to 12:00pm
Fees and rebates
Counsellor
$150 to $220
fee range, per 55-minute session
Please ask for the exact fee when you call.
No referral needed
No referral is needed, so you can start straight away. This fee does not attract a Medicare rebate. See the full fee table
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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.