Our Locations
We have practices across Sydney, the coast and the Illawarra, and online. You can also access counselling through Zoom, Teams or Meet.
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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
Online
Teams - Zoom - Meet
Online
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
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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.

    Trauma Counselling Sydney
    Trauma

    Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) & Trauma Counselling

    Counselling, in person or online.

    PTSD Trauma

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, also commonly known as PTSD is characterised by a set of distressing symptoms which set in following a terrifying event or series of events. Psychologists and victims alike describe the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, as falling into two broad classes.

    Read more

    Firstly, people often re-live repeated memories of the actual event that terrorised them. Second, they may feel a series of symptoms associated with a sense of denial; an experience of numbing or ‘not being quite there’. Usually these types of symptoms (intrusion and denial) are experienced in cycles, often moving rapidly from one to another.

    Signs to notice

    Is this you?

    • Recurring and intrusive upsetting recollections of the traumatic event
    • Recurring distressing dreams or nightmares of the trauma
    • Behaving or feeling as if the trauma was recurring in the moment
    • Severe distress at being exposed to internal cues
    • Avoid any reminders of the event

    Clinicians offering trauma counselling

    Jonathan

    Jonathan

    Registered Counsellor

    NorwestOnline

    Jonathan is a tertiary-qualified counsellor with over 10 years experience working with adults and adolescents. Authentic and compassionate, Jonathan provides practical support, equipping clients with the skills and capacity to be their best.

    Individuals ✓Weekends ✓

    Phone bookings weekdays 9am-6pm02 8205 0566
    Book with Jonathan
    Petra

    Petra

    Registered Counsellor

    RydeOnline

    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.

    Individuals ✓After hours ✓

    Phone bookings weekdays 9am-6pm02 8205 0566
    Book with Petra
    Jenna

    Jenna

    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.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓After hours ✓

    Phone bookings weekdays 9am-6pm02 8205 0566
    Book with Jenna
    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 ✓

    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 ✓

    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 ✓

    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 ✓

    Neri

    Neri

    Counsellor & Relationship Therapist

    CabramattaOnline

    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 ✓

    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 ✓

    Rose

    Rose

    Counsellor & Couple Therapist

    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 ✓

    Silvia

    Silvia

    Registered Counsellor

    MosmanOnline

    Silvia is a Registered Counsellor & Psychotherapist with qualifications in counselling, psychology and Somatic Experiencing®. Compassionate and supportive, Silvia works with individuals to manage life’s challenges.

    Individuals ✓After hours ✓

    Daniela

    Daniela

    Registered Psychologist

    BeecroftOnline

    Daniela is a Registered Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience. Warm, empathetic and deeply humanistic, she creates a space where clients feel genuinely heard, challenged and empowered to make meaningful change.

    Individuals ✓Weekends ✓Portuguese ✓

    Andrea

    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 ✓

    Di

    Di

    Counsellor & Psychotherapist

    Online

    Di is a Counsellor and Psychotherapist with over 10 years private practice experience, treating anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma and addictions. She meets her clients with an empathic and collaborative approach.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓

    Ali

    Counsellor & Couples Therapist

    ParramattaOnline

    Ali is a Registered Counsellor and Couples Therapist with over 15 years of experience, and he has spent much of it supporting refugees and veterans through trauma. He works with anxiety, low mood, post-traumatic stress, anger and addiction, and he sees couples using the Gottman approach, in English or in Arabic.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓Weekends ✓Arabic ✓

    Theodora

    Psychologist & Relationship Counsellor

    Dulwich HillOnline

    Theodora is a Registered Psychologist with over 10 years of experience and a special interest in trauma. She also counsels couples, after seven years doing that work for Relationships Australia, and she sees clients in Greek as well as in English.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓Weekends ✓Greek ✓

    Alexandra

    Counsellor & Relationship Counsellor

    EarlwoodOnline

    Alexandra is a Registered Counsellor and Relationship Counsellor with 15 years of experience across government and not-for-profit services. She works with both individuals and couples, in English or in Greek, and she asks her clients to come as they are.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓Weekends ✓Greek ✓

    Claire

    Claire

    Counsellor & Relationship Therapist

    Sydney CBDOnline

    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 ✓

    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 ✓

    Naomi

    Naomi

    Psychologist & Couples Counsellor

    Bondi JunctionOnline

    Naomi is a Registered Psychologist with over 20 years experience. Warm, empathetic and client-centred, Naomi works with individuals and couples to draw on their strengths to overcome difficulties. She is Gottman certified.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓

    Jennifer

    Jennifer

    Counsellor & Relationship Therapist

    Castle HillOnline

    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 ✓

    David

    David

    Clinical Psychologist

    Stanhope GardensOnline

    David is a Masters-qualified Clinical Psychologist. Warm, authentic and non-judgemental, David supports his clients by carefully attuning to their needs, and imparting practical skills to build emotional insight and wellbeing.

    Individuals ✓After hours ✓

    Mike

    Mike

    Clinical Psychologist & Couple Counsellor

    Online

    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.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓After hours ✓

    Megan

    Megan

    Counsellor & Relationship Therapist

    St LeonardsNarrabeenOnline

    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.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓After hours ✓

    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 ✓

    Christine

    Christine

    Counsellor & Relationship Therapist

    Lane Cove

    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.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓Weekends ✓

    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 ✓

    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 ✓

    Laura

    Laura

    Counsellor & Relationship Therapist

    CronullaOnline

    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.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓Weekends ✓

    Gaul

    Gaul

    Accredited Mental Health Social Worker & Relationship Counsellor

    CampbelltownOnline

    Gaul is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over 17 years experience supporting individuals, couples and families, in hospital settings and private practice. Transparent, curious and collaborative, he works in partnership with his clients.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓

    John

    John

    Counsellor & Relationship Therapist

    Online

    John is a tertiary-qualified counsellor and one of our most experienced therapists. John works with individuals and couples to build awareness of the patterns behind their decisions and lead more empowered and fulfilling lives. He is Gottman qualified.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓

    Chris

    Chris

    Counsellor & Psychotherapist

    Surry HillsOnline

    Chris is a qualified Counsellor and Psychotherapist. He has experience working with individuals, couples, families and groups across a broad spectrum of issues, including relationships, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and addictions.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓After hours ✓

    Sharon

    Registered Psychologist

    HornsbyOnline

    Sharon is a Registered Psychologist who works with individuals, couples and families of every age. She sees people about anxiety, low mood, difficult past experiences, addiction, anger and pressure at school or at work, and she looks for what sits underneath the distress rather than settling on a label.

    Individuals ✓After hours ✓

    David

    Psychologist & Executive Coach

    Surry HillsOnline

    David is a Registered Psychologist and executive coach with more than 20 years of experience working with leaders and the organisations they run. In private practice he works with anxiety, low mood, stress at work, addiction and difficult past experiences, and he pays close attention to a person's sense of purpose and belonging.

    Individuals ✓Weekends ✓

    Daniel

    Registered Counsellor

    Bondi JunctionOnline

    Daniel is a Registered Counsellor with over 10 years of experience, and he works with both individuals and couples. Easy to talk to and quick to build trust, he draws on solution-focused, narrative and interpersonal therapy for anxiety, low mood, anger and addiction.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓After hours ✓

    Pauline

    Registered Counsellor

    ErinaOnline

    Pauline is a Registered Counsellor with almost 20 years of experience with individuals, couples and families in both New Zealand and Australia. Warm and caring, she works particularly with relationships, family and sexuality, and she also counsels in sexual health for NSW Health.

    Individuals ✓Couples ✓Weekends ✓

    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

    Living with PTSD & counselling

    If you have experienced serious trauma or have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), you may be familiar with these feelings that can arise in the aftermath. For some people, these symptoms take a hold of their psyche over time, leaving them vulnerable to periods of frightening thoughts which intrude on them, and often periods where they might lose their sense of themselves; a feeling of numbing.

    Trauma counselling by Counsellors and Psychologists who familiar with these symptoms can assist victims of trauma to recover from the impact of their ordeal. (This article is electronically protected, Copyright © Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney PTY LTD)

    The history of PTSD & traumatic events

    PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder first came to the attention of psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors when war veterans returning from active service showed these symptoms. Previously referred to as shell shock, it was thought to be related to war trauma exclusively. It quickly became evident that any number of life threatening ordeals could bring on the same set of symptoms.

    For example, common triggers for PTSD include car accidents, being a victims of an armed robbery, being mugged or assaulted, raped or tortured, to being a victim in a natural disaster including flooding, landslides, tsunami and so on. So long as your life is threatened or someone you love is at risk you may become subject to symptoms which can later lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

    The real life experience of PTSD

    The real life experience of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be devastating for its sufferers. Psychologists and counsellors often hear the symptoms described as living in a nightmare; and it is often quite literally the case.
    People experience gruesome recollections during the day, often occurring when they are feeling otherwise relaxed.

    For the sufferer, it feels as if the trauma was happening again right here and now. Many people describe being able to smell or hear or see things from the original trauma in their re-experience of the event.

    Flashback episodes can last from seconds, to minutes and in some cases hours. People may react in ways that they are not conscious of; for instance, a war trauma survivor might flee and drive off in a hurry at the sound of a helicopter overhead. Hours later the victim may find themselves in another location, having ‘lost time’.

    Some sufferers experience nightmares which wake them from sleep. This can lead to a fear of going to bed at night, feeling depressed, easily startled or shocked and increasingly numb the rest of the time. Many people try and avoid any reminders of the event. Moreover, the anniversary of trauma can bring on a set of intrusive symptoms.

    The impact of ongoing PTSD

    Living with such burdensome symptoms puts many people on edge; they may find it hard to maintain their loving relationships, may become agitated and aggressive, untrusting and angry and they may begin to isolate themselves. Many people turn to alcohol or drugs for relief. Offcourse these avoidance behaviours do not help the symptoms, and usually make people feel much worse, especially in the long run.

    It is often the case that such avoidance behaviours block people’s natural process in coming to terms with the event. If you are trying to cope using these behaviours and feel you cannot manage without them, you should contact a qualified counsellor or psychologist as soon as possible.

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder  (PTSD) can begin at any time from childhood onwards. There are many complexities that go into whether a person who experiences a trauma begins to suffer symptoms.

    It is thought that whether or not a person’s actions contributed to the event that brought about the trauma may be a factor in the onset of symptoms afterwards. For instance, making one decision over another which then leads to an accident, or an assault.

    It is important to note, that trauma doesn’t necessarily lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder  (PTSD). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is only diagnosed if persons experience symptoms for a month or more. Also, it is usually diagnosed only three months after the traumatic event which triggered the symptoms.

    Another condition, called Acute Stress Response may be diagnosed if a victim is showing symptoms sometime within the first three months after a trauma. If these symptoms continue to develop, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder may be diagnosed.
    (This article is electronically protected, Copyright © Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney PTY LTD)

    The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder - PTSD:

    Whilst you should avoid self-diagnosis, the following symptoms can be useful in beginning a discussion with a professional counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist.

    The person has been involved in or witnessed a traumatic event in which involved a death or a threat of death or serious injury to themselves or others and the person experienced intense fear, horror or helplessnes. The trauma is then persistently re-experienced including one or more of the following symptoms (intrusive symptoms):

    • recurring and intrusive upsetting recollections of the traumatic event, including images, thoughts, or perceptions.
    • recurring distressing dreams or nightmares of the trauma.
    • behaving or feeling as if the trauma was recurring in the moment (which may include a re-living of the event, experiencing illusions, hallucinations, and dissociative flashbacks).
    • severe distress at being exposed to internal cues (eg memories) or external cues that resemble an aspect of the trauma

    The person also avoids any of the cues or resemblances associated with the original trauma and there is a numbing of one’s general response (which was not there before the trauma), including three or more of these symptoms (avoidance or numbing symptoms):

    • making an effort to avoid thoughts, feelings, or topics associated with the trauma
    • making efforts to avoid activities, places, or people that lead to memories of the trauma
    • not being able to remember an important aspect of the event
    • having a decreased interest or involvement in significant activities
    • feeling detached or disconnected from others
    • ‘feeling-less-able-to-feel-things’, like loving someone having a sense that one’s future is foreshortened And, the person has continued symptoms of increased arousal  as indicated by two or more of these symptoms:
    • trouble falling or staying asleep
    • feeling irritable or having angry outbursts
    • trouble concentrating
    • hypervigilance (being one the look out)
    • being easily startled

    These symptoms taken together must have lasted for at least a month, and interfered with your normal social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

    Contact Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney for further information on trauma counselling for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

    References:

    American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

    National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH Publication No. 95-3879 (1995)

    Questions

    Questions about trauma

    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
    189 Google reviews across our 20 practice listings
    Counted 7 October 2026. Read them all on Google
    ★★★★★

    Nice people. friendly service, happy with the counsellor I was provided. I’ll be recommending this service In the future for sure!

    Sandra Q · April 2022
    ★★★★★

    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

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