Currumbin Alley
Frequently Asked Questions
Appointment Info:
What is Availability Like?
While many psychologists have longing wait list right now (due to the demand doubling during covid and causing a back-log), counsellors and coaches may not. Also, not many psychologist bulk bill therapy anymore, so there is usually a gap fee anyway. Often this gap fee is the same as what counsellors charge. At Ghita Therapy you can book online with two hours notice if there is availability. Importantly, because we work from home - rather than a clinic, we also offer after-hours and weekend appointments.
Accepting New Clients
Yes, we are accepting new clients in our Currumbin and Ormeau rooms.
How Much Are The Fees?
It depends on the type of service and length of time: Counselling fees at Ghita Therapy are substantially lower than psychological fees: Fees and Payments
How Do I Pay For My Appointment?
To ensure as much time as possible is available for your appointment, payment is processed at the time of your booking. Also, sometimes clients can feel emotional during a session, or in the case of hypnotherapy, clients may have trouble concentrating straight afterwards, so it is not a good time to ask for payment. We hope you understand.
However, if you are booking a session with Kathie or prefer to pay via Paypal, bank transfer or cash, please call us for a phone booking.
While many psychologists have longing wait list right now (due to the demand doubling during covid and causing a back-log), counsellors and coaches may not. Also, not many psychologist bulk bill therapy anymore, so there is usually a gap fee anyway. Often this gap fee is the same as what counsellors charge. At Ghita Therapy you can book online with two hours notice if there is availability. Importantly, because we work from home - rather than a clinic, we also offer after-hours and weekend appointments.
Accepting New Clients
Yes, we are accepting new clients in our Currumbin and Ormeau rooms.
How Much Are The Fees?
It depends on the type of service and length of time: Counselling fees at Ghita Therapy are substantially lower than psychological fees: Fees and Payments
How Do I Pay For My Appointment?
To ensure as much time as possible is available for your appointment, payment is processed at the time of your booking. Also, sometimes clients can feel emotional during a session, or in the case of hypnotherapy, clients may have trouble concentrating straight afterwards, so it is not a good time to ask for payment. We hope you understand.
However, if you are booking a session with Kathie or prefer to pay via Paypal, bank transfer or cash, please call us for a phone booking.
Session Times:
Sessions are either 60, 90, 120 or 180 minutes. If unspecified, you will be booked in for one hour. Note: Please consider Daylight Savings does not apply in Qld if you book from NSW. We are an hour behind.
How Often Should I Book Appointments?
Most clients book in weekly or fortnightly until they resolve their concern.
Locations:
Ghita Andersen - Currumbin Beach - All Services: Online Bookings.
Mondays by arrangement
Tuesday - Friday: 10am - 8pm; Saturday: 10am - 2.30pm
Address: Private Residence - address will appear on your booking text and email
Kathie Halse - Ormeau: Phone Booking: Individual Counselling Only
Friday: 9am - 5pm
Address: Private Residence - address will appear on your booking text and email
Cancellations and Refunds:
Cancellation Policies 2024- 2025
Health Funds:
All online bookings receive an automatic email invoice/ receipt so that you don't have to ask for one.
Whether your health fund rebates counselling is up to them. Your Private Health provider is the best place to seek this information, as it depends both on your exact policy type and the Health Fund themselves.
Rebates may be available for members of Medibank, Bupa, Police Health, St Luke’s, CUA Health, Phoenix Health Fund and Emergency Services. However, as things change so often please check with your provider before booking. We no longer have any particular registrations with health Funds.
Some private funds rebate Couples Counselling (Item #300) List. Therefore it is worth checking with your provider. You can ask us for a specific type of invoice.
Preparation: What Do I Bring?
How Long Does Counselling (Healing) Take in General?
Individuals: The time period for therapy depends on the complexity of an issue. An issue can be worked through in one session, or it may take several sessions. Some client's require occasional top-up sessions to stay on track, or when new issues arise. If you are trying NLP, Time Line Therapy, and other techniques, you can expect at least one session for info (story) gathering first, so that your therapist can work out the best method to use.
Couples: For couples experiencing relationship problems (not including infidelity, addiction or trauma), the average length of sessions is between 4 and 12. After multiple sessions you should see significant results, resulting in a happier, secure and more fulfilling relationship.
*Please note, medicare does not provide a rebate for couples counselling in Australia. However, some Health Funds will reimburse couples counselling.
What Do Counsellors Not Treat?
We do not take clients with severe mental health issues. For a diagnosis or treatment for a more serious mental health issue please see your local GP, Psychologist or Psychiatrist.
Is Counselling Confidential?
It is. Nothing said will be revealed unless permission (client consent) has been given and any notes taken are kept secure. However, exceptions may occur: A client may give consent to the counsellor when they attend as a couple or do additional individual counselling. Another exception to this rule is when clients are at risk of self-harm or harming others. Client Confidentiality
Can I Book a Session For My Partner, Friend or Teenager?
Yes, however bookings made for a third party (other than couples counselling), must be made online with their details, not yours. This is because the system will reject two clients with the same phone number.
Can I Sit in on a Friend's/ Partner's Individual Session?
No: Unless you are in Family Counselling or Couples' Counselling you cannot sit in on another person's session. Reasons: 1) Counsellors Confidentiality Rules. 2) No signed Intake Form (We are not treating you). 3) Non clients are not covered by public liability insurance. 4) And it can be very distracting for the therapist to have another person there and this person may try to interject their opinions, body language, story etc. It can prohibit a client from fully revealing their thoughts and emotions. The only therapists that might allow this are psychiatrists.
Can I Have My Appointment via Telehealth or Phone?
If your appointment is with Ghita Andersen and you do not have to be face to face, you can select Skype, Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger and Phone sessions.
NLP, Time Line Therapy, Anger Management, Art Therapy, EMDR, Hypnotherapy and Couples Counselling are best in person.
Sessions are either 60, 90, 120 or 180 minutes. If unspecified, you will be booked in for one hour. Note: Please consider Daylight Savings does not apply in Qld if you book from NSW. We are an hour behind.
How Often Should I Book Appointments?
Most clients book in weekly or fortnightly until they resolve their concern.
Locations:
Ghita Andersen - Currumbin Beach - All Services: Online Bookings.
Mondays by arrangement
Tuesday - Friday: 10am - 8pm; Saturday: 10am - 2.30pm
Address: Private Residence - address will appear on your booking text and email
Kathie Halse - Ormeau: Phone Booking: Individual Counselling Only
Friday: 9am - 5pm
Address: Private Residence - address will appear on your booking text and email
Cancellations and Refunds:
Cancellation Policies 2024- 2025
Health Funds:
All online bookings receive an automatic email invoice/ receipt so that you don't have to ask for one.
Whether your health fund rebates counselling is up to them. Your Private Health provider is the best place to seek this information, as it depends both on your exact policy type and the Health Fund themselves.
Rebates may be available for members of Medibank, Bupa, Police Health, St Luke’s, CUA Health, Phoenix Health Fund and Emergency Services. However, as things change so often please check with your provider before booking. We no longer have any particular registrations with health Funds.
Some private funds rebate Couples Counselling (Item #300) List. Therefore it is worth checking with your provider. You can ask us for a specific type of invoice.
Preparation: What Do I Bring?
- Bring any notes you have written about the issues you wish to talk about
- Completing your online form or via paper form will save a few minutes in your session Paper Intake Forms
- GP Referral letter (Not required unless you ask for a concession for individual counselling)
How Long Does Counselling (Healing) Take in General?
Individuals: The time period for therapy depends on the complexity of an issue. An issue can be worked through in one session, or it may take several sessions. Some client's require occasional top-up sessions to stay on track, or when new issues arise. If you are trying NLP, Time Line Therapy, and other techniques, you can expect at least one session for info (story) gathering first, so that your therapist can work out the best method to use.
Couples: For couples experiencing relationship problems (not including infidelity, addiction or trauma), the average length of sessions is between 4 and 12. After multiple sessions you should see significant results, resulting in a happier, secure and more fulfilling relationship.
*Please note, medicare does not provide a rebate for couples counselling in Australia. However, some Health Funds will reimburse couples counselling.
What Do Counsellors Not Treat?
We do not take clients with severe mental health issues. For a diagnosis or treatment for a more serious mental health issue please see your local GP, Psychologist or Psychiatrist.
Is Counselling Confidential?
It is. Nothing said will be revealed unless permission (client consent) has been given and any notes taken are kept secure. However, exceptions may occur: A client may give consent to the counsellor when they attend as a couple or do additional individual counselling. Another exception to this rule is when clients are at risk of self-harm or harming others. Client Confidentiality
Can I Book a Session For My Partner, Friend or Teenager?
Yes, however bookings made for a third party (other than couples counselling), must be made online with their details, not yours. This is because the system will reject two clients with the same phone number.
Can I Sit in on a Friend's/ Partner's Individual Session?
No: Unless you are in Family Counselling or Couples' Counselling you cannot sit in on another person's session. Reasons: 1) Counsellors Confidentiality Rules. 2) No signed Intake Form (We are not treating you). 3) Non clients are not covered by public liability insurance. 4) And it can be very distracting for the therapist to have another person there and this person may try to interject their opinions, body language, story etc. It can prohibit a client from fully revealing their thoughts and emotions. The only therapists that might allow this are psychiatrists.
Can I Have My Appointment via Telehealth or Phone?
If your appointment is with Ghita Andersen and you do not have to be face to face, you can select Skype, Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger and Phone sessions.
NLP, Time Line Therapy, Anger Management, Art Therapy, EMDR, Hypnotherapy and Couples Counselling are best in person.
Concessions:
Can I use a Mental Health Care Plan?
At present we do not have any psychologists at Ghita Therapy. A Medicare rebate is not available to counsellors for Individual Counselling - however Ghita does offer some concessions. See Concessions page under Fees,
Does Medicare Rebate Relationship or Couples Counselling?:
No. Medicare does not subsidise relationship counselling in Australia, so neither do we. We do not offer discounts for GP referrals for individuals who want to attend couples therapy. If a psychologist (who accepts MHCP's) does this they are breaking government rules - may be audited by Medicare and de-registered.
What is the Difference Between a Psychologist and a Counsellor?
Both professionals often have the same degrees. However, a Psychologist concentrates on diagnosing and assessing mental illness and tends to support people with more severe mental health problems. They usually requires a doctor's referral for a full assessment which goes on your mental health record.
Psychotherapists and Counsellors on the other hand are experts in 'Talk Therapy' and listening. They are trained in multiple methods of Therapy and help to clarify issues, explore options and develop strategies. They don't tend to diagnose or do assessments, but they will support people with mild to moderate symptoms of mental illness. Counsellors and therapists adopt a more person-centred approach and practice modalities that psychologists do not; such as Psychotherapy, Couples Counselling, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Gestalt Therapy, Family Dispute Mediation and Hypnotherapy. These methods are not covered under medicare. Counsellors and Therapists also will not break client confidentiality, so there is no public mental health record.
To be precise, a Psychologist diagnoses, tests and treats more acute mental illness and a Psychotherapist/ Counsellor listens to understand and give strategies for life's everyday problems.
At present we do not have any psychologists at Ghita Therapy. A Medicare rebate is not available to counsellors for Individual Counselling - however Ghita does offer some concessions. See Concessions page under Fees,
Does Medicare Rebate Relationship or Couples Counselling?:
No. Medicare does not subsidise relationship counselling in Australia, so neither do we. We do not offer discounts for GP referrals for individuals who want to attend couples therapy. If a psychologist (who accepts MHCP's) does this they are breaking government rules - may be audited by Medicare and de-registered.
What is the Difference Between a Psychologist and a Counsellor?
Both professionals often have the same degrees. However, a Psychologist concentrates on diagnosing and assessing mental illness and tends to support people with more severe mental health problems. They usually requires a doctor's referral for a full assessment which goes on your mental health record.
Psychotherapists and Counsellors on the other hand are experts in 'Talk Therapy' and listening. They are trained in multiple methods of Therapy and help to clarify issues, explore options and develop strategies. They don't tend to diagnose or do assessments, but they will support people with mild to moderate symptoms of mental illness. Counsellors and therapists adopt a more person-centred approach and practice modalities that psychologists do not; such as Psychotherapy, Couples Counselling, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Gestalt Therapy, Family Dispute Mediation and Hypnotherapy. These methods are not covered under medicare. Counsellors and Therapists also will not break client confidentiality, so there is no public mental health record.
To be precise, a Psychologist diagnoses, tests and treats more acute mental illness and a Psychotherapist/ Counsellor listens to understand and give strategies for life's everyday problems.
Invoicing (EAP and Health Funds):
ALL BOOKINGS ONLINE RECEIVE AN INVOICE/ RECEIPT EMAILED
Do Health Funds Rebate Counselling or Couples Counselling?
Some do. Rebates may be available for members of Medibank, Bupa, Police Health, St Luke’s, CUA Health, Phoenix Health Fund and Emergency Services. However, we do not have any particular registrations with health Funds because there are so many. It is your responsibility to check before booking. Your online booking will automatically send you an emailed invoice receipt which you can submit if your provider will refund you. Invoices do not carry an item number. Please check with your provider before booking.
Do Health Funds Rebate Hypnotherapy?
Yes, some do. If your Health Fund accepts the service, you can use the invoice/ receipt we emailed you upon online booking. *Please check with you health fund before booking. We cannot guarantee that your health fund will reimburse you for hypnotherapy. Please note that we have no particular registrations.
Do Health Funds Rebate Counselling or Couples Counselling?
Some do. Rebates may be available for members of Medibank, Bupa, Police Health, St Luke’s, CUA Health, Phoenix Health Fund and Emergency Services. However, we do not have any particular registrations with health Funds because there are so many. It is your responsibility to check before booking. Your online booking will automatically send you an emailed invoice receipt which you can submit if your provider will refund you. Invoices do not carry an item number. Please check with your provider before booking.
Do Health Funds Rebate Hypnotherapy?
Yes, some do. If your Health Fund accepts the service, you can use the invoice/ receipt we emailed you upon online booking. *Please check with you health fund before booking. We cannot guarantee that your health fund will reimburse you for hypnotherapy. Please note that we have no particular registrations.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Appointment:
TIPS FOR NEW CLIENTS:
Messages: You will receive
All Clients:
Messages: You will receive
- A booking SMS or Email (the day you book)
- An SMS reminder before your appointment to say we are looking forward to seeing you
All Clients:
- Filling out the online intake form will save 10 minutes of your first session. Currumbin clients receive a link to an online form. Ormeau clients fill out forms in session. Alternatively, you can also print out the form on the forms page.
- Please arrive at your scheduled time, but not early. Clients may be back to back and there is no waiting reception in these private homes
- Free parking is available on the street
- Consider whether Couples Counselling is the best course of action: Family Violence Screening: Couples Counselling is not appropriate for abusive relationships: If there is any history of domestic violence - including chronic verbal abuse, emotional, physical, financial or sexual abuse, past or present DVO's, we ask you to book in for Individual Counselling. Couples Counselling requires calmness, commitment and cooperation. Ghita will not accept clients with a history of domestic violence. See page: Will Couples Counselling Help Toxic Relationships?
- Each partner should read 'Preparing for Couples Counselling' to see if counselling is appropriate for your situation and that you both understand the process.
- Note About Children: Please understand that professional therapists DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN IN SESSIONS for the reasons of disruption to the therapeutic process, damage to persons and property, public liability insurance limitations and second floor locations. Please secure a babysitter well in advance. If you do bring children/ babies with you your appointment may be cancelled and charged for.
- Defensiveness: If One Party Starts to Blame the Counsellor: If one person is triggered by the therapist probing into the relationship, or is upset by questions asking them to reveal their thoughts and motives (which are necessary), and turns on the therapist, the session is over. Counsellors deserve to work in a safe environment. Any intimidation, bullying, anger or put-downs aimed at the counsellor will end the session and you will be black listed.
- Keep your emailed invoice if you have Private Health Fund. Some health funds rebate couples counselling.
- A thank you email the day after
- A 2 month hello email to check on you and see how you are travelling
- A 6 month hello email to check on you and see how you are doing and to see if you need a quick call
- An annual hello check-in care email
End of Therapy:
Client Notes After Termination:
No clients notes will be shared or divulged unless a court order requires it and only specific information relevant to a case will be allowed, unless client gives consent.
Termination of Services:
Ghita Therapy holds the right to suspend treatment and refuse further services if:
*Time Line Therapy® is the registered Trade Mark of Tad James Company USA.
No clients notes will be shared or divulged unless a court order requires it and only specific information relevant to a case will be allowed, unless client gives consent.
Termination of Services:
Ghita Therapy holds the right to suspend treatment and refuse further services if:
- Client lies about level of family violence
- Client becomes abusive to counsellor (including texts)
- Client attends intoxicated
- Client continues to postpone or cancel appointments
- Client is a 'No Show' (no notice of failure to appear)
- Client has not fulfilled financial obligations. Eg: Does not pay for therapy or late cancellations
*Time Line Therapy® is the registered Trade Mark of Tad James Company USA.
If a Person is Feeling Suicidal:
What if I can't wait, or I am feeling like harming myself?
- Call Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14 – www.lifeline.org.au Lifeline provides free, 24-hour telephone crisis support with access to suicide prevention services, mental health support and emotional assistance
- Call 000 and ask for an ambulance to take you to a mental health care hospital
Copyright 2024 Ghita Andersen