Counselling & Career Coaching FAQ's
Do I need a referral or mental health care plan?
No. You don’t need a referral or Mental Health Care Plan to book a session.
As a private counsellor and career coach in Sydney, you can book directly whenever you feel ready. Sessions are available in Camden, South West Sydney and online across Australia.
If you’re eligible for Victims Services NSW, approved sessions are covered separately.
Can I claim a Medicare rebate?
Medicare rebates are not available for counselling sessions.
However, I am a registered provider with Bupa, AHM, HCF, ARHG and Medibank. If you have eligible extras cover, you may be able to claim a rebate.
Victims Services NSW clients do not pay out of pocket for approved sessions.
What can I expect in the first session?
Your first session is about understanding what’s been weighing on you. We’ll talk about what brought you in, what’s feeling stuck or heavy and what you’d like to shift. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out.
Whether you’re navigating burnout, career change, returning to work or processing trauma, we start with where you are right now.
Are sessions confidential?
Yes. Counselling sessions are confidential and follow professional ethical guidelines.
The only exceptions relate to safety concerns, which will always be explained clearly if relevant.
Do I need to know what career I want before starting career counselling?
No. Many women come in saying, “I don’t even know what I want anymore.”
Career counselling helps you untangle that. You don’t need a clear goal to get started. We work through the confusion together so you can make decisions that feel steady and realistic.
Can career counselling help if I feel stuck at work but don’t want to quit?
Yes. Sometimes the answer isn’t leaving your job. It might be boundaries, confidence, clarity or understanding why things feel off. We look at what’s underneath the frustration before making big decisions.
What if I want to change careers but I’m scared of getting it wrong?
That fear is common. Career change can feel risky, especially if you’ve built something stable. We move at your pace, explore options practically and reduce the “all or nothing” pressure that often keeps women stuck.
Do you support women returning to work after a career break?
Yes. Whether you’ve taken time off for parenting, caregiving or personal reasons, we work on rebuilding confidence, clarifying direction and preparing you for re-entry in a way that feels manageable.
You find out more about this in Career Change & Transition Support.
What’s the difference between career counselling and career coaching?
Career counselling focuses on exploring the thoughts, emotions and patterns that sit underneath your work and life decisions. It helps you make sense of uncertainty, rebuild confidence, manage stress and understand what’s contributing to feeling stuck or burnt out.
Career coaching is more practical and future focused. It supports you to set goals, explore options and take steps toward work that feels more aligned, whether that’s changing careers, returning to work or growing in your current role.
Most clients benefit from a blend of both because career decisions aren’t just practical, they’re emotional too. We tailor the approach to your situation, pace and what you need most support with.
How long will I need counselling or coaching?
It depends on your goals and situation. Some clients see progress in a few focused sessions, while others prefer ongoing support over several months. We’ll discuss what feels right for you after your first session.
How do I know if I’m burnt out or just stressed?
Stress usually passes once pressure eases.
Burnout feels ongoing. You may feel flat, emotionally drained, disconnected from work or unsure who you are outside of productivity.
If you’re constantly exhausted but still pushing through, burnout may be part of the picture.
Can counselling help with burnout recovery?
Yes. Burnout recovery isn’t just about resting. It’s about understanding what led to exhaustion, over-functioning, people-pleasing, blurred boundaries or unrealistic expectations and changing those patterns in sustainable ways.
Can you help with confidence and self-doubt at work?
Yes. Many of the women I support find themselves second-guessing decisions, overthinking conversations and tying their worth to performance.
If you’ve spent years putting everyone else first, it’s easy to feel disconnected from your own needs and unsure what you actually want.
Together, we work on rebuilding self-trust, clarifying your values and making decisions that feel steady rather than reactive.
Learn more about confidence and career support →
Do you offer online counselling across Australia?
Yes. Online counselling and career coaching sessions are available Australia-wide via secure video call. After booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email with the session link and simple instructions to join.
Do you offer in-person sessions?
Yes. In-person sessions are available in Camden, South West Sydney.
Walk & Talk outdoor sessions are also available locally, including Camden, Leppington and Harrington Park. After booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email with meeting details and anything you need to know beforehand.
How much does career counselling cost in Sydney?
Standard 50-minute sessions are $180.
Extended 90-minute sessions are $250.
Victims Services NSW approved clients do not pay out of pocket.
What is your cancellation policy?
48+ hours notice: no fee
Less than 48 hours: full fee applies
Victims Services clients are not charged but notice is appreciated.
Do you accept Victims Services NSW clients?
Yes. I am an approved Victims Services NSW provider and offer trauma-informed counselling for clients who are applying to or have been approved for support.
Sessions provide a safe, practical space to process your experiences, manage triggers and regain a sense of control at your own pace.
Support may include working through the emotional impact of domestic violence, workplace trauma or other distressing experiences, as well as rebuilding confidence and stability in day to day life.
Sessions are available online across Australia or in-person in Camden, South West Sydney depending on your needs and safety considerations.
What is trauma-informed counselling?
Trauma-informed counselling means we recognise that past experiences, including domestic violence, workplace trauma or earlier life events, can shape how safe you feel in your body, your relationships and your work.
Instead of pushing you to “move on” or talk about things before you’re ready, we go at your pace. We pay attention to how your nervous system responds to stress, how triggers show up and how certain patterns may have helped you survive but no longer feel helpful.
Emotional safety comes first. From there, we gently build steadiness, clarity and a sense of control again.
Can Victims Services cover career counselling?
If trauma has impacted your work, confidence or sense of direction, counselling sessions that address those impacts may be covered under your approval.
Do you support workplace trauma or domestic violence recovery?
Yes. Support is available for clients navigating the emotional impact of domestic violence, workplace bullying or other traumatic experiences.
Sessions can be held online or in-person depending on safety and preference.