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It is really important to check that the counsellor has either ACA or PACFA membership. Counsellors can only become members of these organisations when they have finalised an accredited training course recognised by these associations. Once a member, counsellors need to also provide evidence of their ongoing professional development and supervision, and abide by a code of professional practice to remain an active member. When counsellors advertise that they hold membership, they should inform you what level they are. The level of membership will demonstrate the training course completed and counselling experience going from lowest to highest (1 - 4).

Once you have determined the membership and level, you want to consider what is a good fit for you. Some of the things to consider are the therapies that the counsellor uses, the availability and their location (with online sessions though, you can be anywhere!). Sometimes though it is difficult to know whether this will be a good fit until you meet with a counsellor! You may want to have a phone chat in the first instance, where you can ask questions and get a feel for the counsellor before committing to a session. An effective and professional counsellor will always check in with you at the end of the session about whether this will work for you, or whether you need to keep looking.

Thea has Level 4 ACA Membership which is the highest level available. This means that she has completed both a Bachelor degree in counselling and Graduate Diploma in Relationship Counselling, and has many years of experience working with clients and receiving supervision and professional development (27 years). Thea is also an eclectic counsellor - this means that she has an expert skill base spanning many different therapies. So is able to use the therapies that are just right for the client(s) in front of her. Thea understands that it is imperative for the client(s) to feel  comfortable with their counsellor so that they can fully explore the issues that they wish to work on whilst receiving unconditional, genuine support.

No, you can only get this rebate if you see a registered psychologist or social worker. 

Things you may wish to consider though :

• You don't need a referral to see a counsellor - just make the appointment yourself
• Counsellors will usually charge  fees that are significantly less that psychologists. The Australian Psychological Society (APS) recommended fee is currently set at $285 for a 40 - 60 minute session. Medicare rebates will partially cover psychologist's fees - the client pays the gap -  and this amount will vary depending on the psychologist seen
• If you see a counsellor, you are not limited to 10 sessions
• Certain counsellors can obtain a provider number, so that if you are in a private health fund, you may be eligible for a rebate on your counselling session. Thea has a provider number for various private health funds. Just make an inquiry about your health fund when making an appointment

Through our lives we experience highs and lows, celebrations and devastation, love and loss, connection and isolation and everything in between - all a part of life. A lot of the time we can work out how we feel about something and what we need to do. Sometimes we lean on our friendships for guidance and advice.

We also though, live in a world that is very busy and we are often preoccupied with our own stories and all the things that now distract us (phones for example) to take the time to sit and 'listen with our whole selves' to another person's pain. The result of this is there are a lot of people in the world that do not feel truly acknowledged, seen or understood. When we are grappling with a life problem, grief or trauma, these feelings of disconnection are heightened, and we can feel that there is no one we can honestly talk to about it to help us find the answer that is right for us. 

Counsellors are trained to offer genuine support. They are trained in active listening which means that they are listening to really understand to what the client is sharing and what this means to them. Counsellors follow the principle that the client is the expert of their life - and they provide a safe space and use a number of therapies to assist the client to find their own answers and create their own life goals.

Too often in her counselling practice, Thea has heard the phrase from many clients - 'I've never told this to anyone before' We often bury old pain and stories because we are unable to find a trusting space to share and release this pain. But when we do find this space, and we are met with complete acceptance, the pain loses its hold - and we have the chance to become 'who we truly are' and live the life that we deserve. 

If you have a current NDIS plan with approved funding for 'improved daily living' under your capacity building supports category, you may be eligible to use this to receive counselling. 

Counselling is a capacity-building support that can improve the quality of life for both those living with a disability and their family members. Counselling for family members (such as parents) can also be accessed through a child's NDIS plan. Counselling is not limited to your child if counselling for family members will improve your child's overall emotional health and wellbeing.