What is counselling?
Counselling, or talk therapy, can help you to identify issues and problems that might be impacting your life. The aim is to help you work through them and find a solution that is effective for you. Counselling can help you make sense of things and deal with what you are going through.
At Mountain Talk we will ask directed questions and listen to your thoughts in a way that is non-judgmental, safe, discreet and absolutely confidential (unless there is a risk of harm to you or someone else).
Counselling can be short time or longer term – when and where we start and finish is a joint decision between the counsellor and the client.
What don’t counsellors do?
Counsellors don’t diagnose mental health conditions or provide prescriptions for medications. Counsellors can refer you on for further help if needed. While counsellors can look at and be guided by a Mental Health Care Plan written by your GP, counselling fees are currently not able to be claimed under Medicare. Some clients may be able to claim sessions under a self-managed NDIS plan, and others may be able to claim under private health insurance if their counsellor is registered with that health insurance fund.
How does Mountain Talk do it?
There are a number of different techniques, theories and therapies counsellors use when working with their clients, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), solution focussed therapy (SFT), mindfulness, group therapy, drumming, breathwork and yoga.
At Mountain Talk we like to think there are many different paths to the top of the mountain. We work with you to find right approach for you, because we believe your needs are particular to you. You deserve an approach that will work best in your circumstances to overcome the challenges you are facing. There are many options to explore to manage what’s happening in your life.
Fees and Charges
Mountain Talk fees vary depending on the type of sessions you book into. Group therapy and drumming sessions are typically less than one on one sessions.
- One on One sessions – $165 (incl GST)
- Group Therapy – 8 sessions over 8 weeks – $55 per session or $440 (including GST)
- Drumming – 8 sessions over 8 weeks – $55 per session or $440 (including GST)
Resources and support
If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger of hurting themselves or others, call triple zero (000). For help and support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
- Lifeline — for anyone having a personal crisis, call 13 11 14 or chat online.
- Suicide Call Back Service — for anyone thinking about suicide, call 1300 659 467.
- Beyond Blue — for anyone feeling depressed or anxious, call 1300 22 4636 or chat online.
- SANE Australia — for free counselling services for people with mental illness, call 1800 187 263.
- MensLine Australia — a free telephone and online counselling service, call 1300 78 99 78.
- KidsHelpline — free confidential online and phone counselling services for young people aged 5 to 25 years, call 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
- Medicare Mental Health — for advice and to get connected to local mental health services, call 1800 595 212. Check the operating times.
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.