What is counselling?

Counselling is the process of talking to a qualified person about your issues and challenges.

What are your qualifications?

* Bachelor of Social Work - University of Queensland

* Graduate Diploma Infant Mental Health - University of Melbourne

* Masters of Art Therapy - La Trobe University

* Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers, with a Medicare Provider Number able to offer rebates. 

How can I see you?

You can either access counselling via Telehealth - zoom, phone, or face to face. In person sessions are held in my rooms in Footscray - 68 Victoria Street, Footscray.

Online bookings are available for exisiting clients only. Please contact me via email or phone if you would like to arrange an appointment.

Once you have had your first appointment, you will be able to schedule future appointments online.

Do I need a referral to see you?

A referral is a Mental Health Care Plan that is provided by your GP for patients experiencing mental health issues.

You will require one if you want to claim Medicare rebates for your sessions but it is not essential. If you do have a referral, please ask the GP clinic to fax it to me on 8799 2329 or email to info@themindatheart.com prior to your session. If this hasn’t occurred, please bring it to your first appointment.

Can I claim medicare rebates and how do I do it?

Yes. You can claim medicare rebates of $82.30 per session if you can access a Mental Health Care Plan via your General Practitioner. I can put through this claim on your behalf and the money is usually deposited within 1-3 days into your bank account that you have provided to Medicare (provided that you have given me your current Medicare card details). If you have reached your medicare threshold for the year, you may be entitled to a larger rebate per session. You can track this via the mygov app.

Do you see children?

I only see adults and older teenagers 15 years + for individual therapy. I see parents in relation to their children and will work with children when interviewing for Family Court reports or for Child Inclusive Mediation sessions.

Babies are welcome during sessions if parents feel comfortable. The clinic is pram friendly.

How many sessions will I need?

Sometimes only one session is required to resolve difficulties whilst other issues are more complex and require several sessions. Short to mid-term counselling is suitable for most people and some like to come back for top up sessions every few months to check that things are ok with them and their relationships. After our first session I can give you an indication of how many sessions may be needed but ultimately you determine this depending on how you feel.

Can I to talk to you before hand to get a feel about how we connect?

Yes. Finding the right fit with a therapist is very important. I am able to have a brief phone conversation with you to assess whether we could work successfully together.

What if I feel that we are not the right fit?

Finding the right fit of therapist is very important for you to feel comfortable and commit to your sessions. It’s possible that we may not be the right fit in personality or perhaps you are looking for a different style of therapy. If this is the case, please speak to me about it as early as possible and I can provide recommendations for other therapists who may better suit your needs.

Do you offer 3rd party payments for sessions?

Yes. I am registered as a provider with VOCAT, Worksafe and TAC. I have also carried out work with DHHS and NDIS.

Are these sessions confidential?

I am legally bound to keep your information confidential and not disclose it to others. There are certain situations however where I may have to share your information so you need to be mindful of this when telling me things during our sessions. Information will not remain confidential if:

• Failure to disclose the information would put you or another person at risk

• It is requested by a court

• You have given me prior approval to speak to other professionals such as a GP or lawyer

• You have consented for me to discuss your information with another person such as your partner, parent or friend

How long are the sessions?

Session are 60 minutes long. Some couples and family sessions may be longer as pre-arranged with Renee.

Do you work under a Code of Ethics?

Yes. As a social worker, I am also bound by the code of ethics of the Australian Association of Social Workers,  which ensures I act in an ethically accountable way.

I also comply with the Health Complaints Act 2016 (Vic) Code of Conduct.

What happens in a therapy session?

I will use the first session to understand what you see the problems to be and take a psychosocial history to better appreciate what factors may be impacting on you. Together we identify what you would like to improve and how.

The sessions are active and goal orientated and require some commitment from you during the process.

How much does it cost?

$190 for an individual 60 minute session. Discounts available for students and holders of health care cards. Payment is made via credit/debit card at the end of each session via my online clinical system called Halaxy. I will process the medicare rebates on your behalf.

$220 for a 50 minute couples session 

$180 for Clinical Supervision

$250+ for Family Court related counselling

Family report fees - please contact

Child Inclusive Mediation - please contact for package options

How do I see other clinicians working out of The Mind at Heart co-working space?

The clinicians who utilise The Mind at Heart space all operate their own businesses. They are a mixture of psychologists, mental health social workers and counsellors. Each clinician has their own website and individual contact details.

If you would like to find out more about the other clinicians who work at The Mind at Heart, please contact me.

Is the building accessible?

The building is on the ground floor and there are two steps at the entrance. The first step is 9cms high and 81.5cms deep. The second step (which meets the front door) is 10cms high. The building says “The Mind at Heart” on the outside.