Please get in touch with us here via the Contact Us button, or simply send an e-mail to info@compassionatelotus.com with a brief description of your current situation and needs. We will endeavour to get in touch with you as soon as possible.

In Australia, “therapist” or “counsellor” is not a regulated/protected title, and can be used by people/health professionals with various levels of training/experience.

The title of “Psychologist” in Australia is regulated/protected. This means all psychologists hold general registration (which requires minimum 4 years of study in human behaviour and mental health) and are registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Agency (AHPRA) - similar to how GPs and other doctors are registered with the medical board. Additionally, all psychologists are required to practice according to the psychology code of conduct and complete continuing professional development hours every year in order to retain registration as psychologists.

Clinical Psychologists are required to have completed a specific, qualification pathway that requires a minimum of 6 years of tertiary study (Minimum Master level degree) followed by two years of supervised ‘Registrar’ training (on-the-job clinical training with supervision from a registered senior, qualified supervising psychologist), which equates to a minimum of 8 years of training, before obtaining endorsement and being able to use the title “Clinical Psychologist”.

There are other types of psychologists who have done additional training to obtain endorsement in other specific areas, following general registration; and have specialties in specific practice areas (e.g. Educational and Developmental Psychologists, Health Psychologists, Forensic Psychologists, Neuropsychologists etc.).

The Medicare Benefits system also only recognise certain health professionals as “eligible” to provide services under a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP).

Knowing these details may help you to choose the therapist that is best for your needs.

Whether you are experiencing a new stressor in life, or if you have been living with mental health difficulties for years, people typically fall within 2 groups when they are seeking therapy (or grow into a combination of both as they go along on their journey).

• Symptom reduction and supporting daily functioning: This involves shorter-term, specifically focused support on a target issue. Therapy will involve evidence-based techniques and strategies as a way to support management of the issue. For example, someone who experiences anxiety and would like to work on strategies to regulate anxiety to support functioning in daily living.

• Deepening an understanding of the self, leading to longer lasting change: This typically involves longer term, regular, and consistent commitment to therapy which covers the above, but dives deeper into the journey of understanding conscious and unconscious patterns. This paves the pathway to getting closer to identifying where certain patterns began, and what contributes to them being triggered in the present and future; leading to identification of ways to impact change on patterns which may no longer serve you.

People usually decide on which group they fall into based on different considerations such as financial situation, stage of readiness for deeper forms of therapy, and other practical/personal reasons.

While my therapeutic approach leans more towards longer-term therapeutic alliances, I also provide shorter-term, focused therapy.

Therapy is often misunderstood as a place where you simply "get advice." In reality, it is a collaborative, evidence-based process of self-discovery.

Growth isn't always linear. Some sessions will feel like a profound breakthrough; others might feel heavy as we sit with difficult emotions. This is a normal and necessary part of the process.

Early sessions will focus more on building a sense of trust and safety in the therapeutic alliance/space and understanding what has brought you to therapy and what you are hoping to achieve.

After a safe ground for work has been established, we will begin a more in depth exploration of your experiences which may include things like:

• Identify and unpack narratives & patterns: Examining your thoughts, feelings, or beliefs, and the way you relate to yourself and others; including ways you may or may not be aware of.

• Identify and Process Emotion: Observing emotions/feelings that may arise out of certain patterns/narratives, and allowing yourself to feel and move through pain rather than suppressing it.

• Develop Coping Skills: Learning practical ways to stay grounded as we work together, or for when the waters get choppy in daily life.

• Develop in depth understanding, contributing to longer lasting change (long-term therapy): As we start to see our patterns/narratives more clearly, we can then explore where they stem from and why they may repeat themselves. This opens up avenues for us to be able to impact change more effectively (targeting the source rather than the symptoms).

As therapy progresses, you’ll start to notice shifts in your daily life. You might find you're reacting to stress with more grace, setting healthier boundaries, or feeling a renewed sense of purpose. This is the "unfolding"—the result of the steady work you’ve done beneath the surface.

A Few Realities of Therapy

• It’s a "No-Judgment" Zone: You can say the things here that you can’t say anywhere else. Your vulnerability is treated with the utmost sanctity.

• Consistency is the Sunlight: Just as a flower needs steady light to grow, therapy works best when sessions are regular and you are committed to the "between-session" reflections.

• You Set the Pace: We will never push you faster than you are ready to go. You hold the map; we provide the lantern.

Your mental health is a living thing. Like any living thing, it requires patience, the right conditions, and a little bit of help to reach its full potential.

I currently offer 50-minute individual therapy, and individual supervision sessions within Australia.

At the current stage, all sessions are offered at a Telehealth Only capacity. Medicare rebates (currently $145.25 for clinical psychology) are available for individual therapy clients only.

• For new clients, I offer a free 15 minute telephone consultation to determine if I can be of assistance to you.

• Existing clients may contact me to book in directly.

I am currently not taking any couples therapy clients. Although this therapy option may be offered in the future.

Compassionate Lotus Psychology accepts clients paying privately, as well as those claiming rebates through:

• Medicare. Please obtain your MHTP, including the referral letter, from your GP and send this through to us prior to your appointment.

• Private Health Insurance. Please note that certain private health insurances require your psychologist to be registered with them before you can claim a rebate, please check with your insurer and let us know if registration is required on our part.

• NDIS referrals will be accepted for Self-managed clients only. Please note that we take upfront payment for the full session fee and clients will have to arrange for reimbursement with NDIS themselves.

Unfortunately, we do not currently accept TAC or WorkCover referrals.