Therapy FAQ
Psychotherapy & Counselling
What to expect in therapy
I do...
Encourage human-ness (being messy, curse-words and imperfection are welcome)
Work with approaches that focus on both brain and body
Use a trauma-informed approach that focuses on you feeling safe
Speak with authenticity & share my experience
Believe in collaboration and working together
Offer In-person & online sessions & work with people all over the globe
Support diversity & inclusion
Continually update my skills
I don't...
Take notes while you are speaking to me
Force you to do anything you don't want to do
Focus on labels or pathologising you. You are not just a set of symptoms to be diagnosed or a conditinon to be fixed.
Tell you what you 'should' be doing
Belive in quick-fix band-aid approaches
Come from the expert model of thinking where the therapist is the person who holds the power for change or ‘cure’. I believe with support everyone is capable of growth and change.
I work with adults and children, including members of the general population and those within the sporting industry.
Before commencing therapy, I offer a brief pre-consultation to ensure we’re a good fit and that this space will meet your needs.
Each therapy session is 50 minutes.
Individual Sessions
Standard sessions are $160 (including GST) per session (dur 50 mins).
Introductory Intensive Package
For clients seeking focused support over a short period, I offer a 6–12-week intensive program of six sessions at a reduced rate of $145 per session (sessions scheduled no more than two weeks apart).
Athlete & Team Support
I also provide specialised support for athletes, including assistance around sporting events and team-based group processes. Please contact me directly for more information about fees or tailored packages for teams or individual athletes on tour.Unfortunately, psychotherapists and counsellors are not eligible for Medicare rebates, so we don’t take Mental Health Care Plans from your GP. You don’t need a GP referral and can access counselling simply by booking your session online via the work with me page or sending me an email to be added to my waitlist.
Many people find it helpful to talk to someone who’s not a family member or friend. A therapist can provide neutral and non-judgmental support, guiding you through gentle evidence-based strategies. A therapist can also help you develop self-awareness, get clarity on your challenges, and illuminate potential blind spots as well as different perspectives.
A therapist will also support you in achieving the outcomes you want by helping you to create a conscious change. Therapy is also supportive because it represents a rare experience in today’s world: A space to be heard, a space without expectation, a space where we can fully explore who we are in the world and get in touch with our deeper thoughts, emotions and beliefs. Being able to mindfully examine and explore our thoughts, emotions and challenges is priceless. It’s from this place that we can create conscious change and we can choose to act differently.
As a therapist, I’m focused on:
• Ensuring you feel seen, heard and validated.
• Creating safety, so you can be your authentic self.
• Holding a non-judgmental space, free of shame or blame.
• Centering your process and needs. (I won’t carry an agenda as to how you ”should” be healing or growing)
Research shows when there is a good match between therapist and client, sustainable and meaningful change can occur.
Generally, my work with clients tends to be longer-term as we work to understand and process developmental trauma, belief systems and patterns of relating that may have become part of your procedural learning.
The therapy journey is like any journey of transformation: At times, it’s painful, there are many challenges as we look into the face of adversity, and it’s beautiful, awe inspiring, nurturing and joyful.
As part of a good working relationship, I speak openly about the fact that ruptures or moments where I ‘get it wrong’ or misunderstand you are likely to happen. Conflict, ruptures, and mistakes are a normal part of what it means to be human. They’re also bound to happen in the therapy process.
These moments give us an opportunity to understand how we react and respond in relationship and work through the challenges (rather than avoiding difference or leaving therapy prematurely). In this way, they can also be profound catalysts for transformational healing and growth.
It’s normal to have a range of feelings when coming to therapy. Whether it’s your first-ever session or you have been to therapy before, feelings of nervousness, excitement or apprehension are all normal and expected! When you arrive, I’ll greet you and invite you in. You’ll be given a form to fill out with your details. We’ll have a relaxed, down to earth conversation about what has brought you to therapy, and what you might like to work on.
The first session is an opportunity to get to know one another. You’ll be able to share your story and experiences with me, as well as ask questions. My role is to hold the space for you and really get an understanding of your thoughts, feelings and perspectives. In this session, you can also get a feel for my therapy space and what therapy will be like.
Together, we’ll decide if we would be a good fit to work together. We know that the biggest predictor of success in therapy is the relationship between therapist and client, so it’s essential you feel that my approach resonates with you and is suited to your individual needs.
During your first session, you may wish to ask questions relating to what to expect, and how I can best support you.
The amount of therapy sessions you may need will vary depending on your goals. Healing is often not a linear process. I believe that long-term sustainable change and transformation is a process that does not involve a ‘quick fix’.
Some people come to therapy for a few sessions to address their current goals or life challenges. Others come looking to do deeper work around trauma, which may span over a few months to a year. Many people return to therapy from time to time as needed or to take the next step in their personal growth journey.
Counselling and psychotherapy are most effective when it is regular and consistent. Generally, sessions occur weekly or fortnightly to begin, but this also depends on what works for you. Together, we’ll assess your needs and what is going to work best for you. We’ll continue to check in and discuss our work together as we go.
Choice is an important part of therapy. This means you can end the therapeutic relationship with me at any time, take a break, or alter the frequency of our sessions.
Yes I do! I offer secure sessions online via zoom.
Yes. The information you share with me is confidential. I also work to maintain confidentiality at all times in the collection, recording, storage, dissemination and disposal of my notes and any information I collect.
The only exception to confidentiality is my legal requirement to disclose information about you in certain circumstances, including if:
• You disclose that a child, minor or vulnerable adult is at risk of harm
• You plan to harm yourself or others, or I have a reason to believe that you pose an immediate risk to harming yourself or others
• I am legally subpoenaed to provide the release of my notes and your records.
These situations are rare, however in the case any of these things arise in our work together I will always make every reasonable effort to speak with you before taking any required action.
I do not work with:
• Court-Mandated Therapy
• Crisis Response/24-Hour Services; and
• People who actively have suicidal and homicidal intents and plans.
I also would not be a good fit if you need a higher level of care such as a:
• A partial Hospitalization Program: A therapeutic program with a level of care that’s set at a minimum of five hours a day, five days a week for a duration of two weeks to a whole month.
• An Intensive Outpatient Program: A therapeutic program with a level of care set at a minimum of three hours a day, three days a week for a duration of up to two months.
Both of these types of treatments are for individuals who need to see a clinician and medical provider more than once a week for their mental health, physical health, and substance use issues (e.g., addiction, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, self-harm) and find these issues severely impact their ability to function on a day-to-day basis such that work needs to be put on hold for a period of time.
I am unavailable after opening hours and Rikki-May Nielsen Psychotherapy & Counselling is not an emergency service. If you require immediate support, contact emergency services immediately:
• Police, Fire or Ambulance - 000
• Lifeline - 13 11 14
• Blue Knot Helpline - 1300 657 380
• Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
• Domestic Violence Hotline (QLD) 1800 811 811• Domestic Violence Hotline (NSW) 1800RESPECT
Frequently asked questions