Service Scope:

I am an Australian Counselling Association (ACA) registered counsellor with a Master of Counselling and additional training in trauma-informed practice, somatic approaches, trauma-sensitive yoga, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and evidence-informed therapeutic approaches.

My work is grounded in compassion, collaboration, respect, and an understanding of the impact that stress, trauma, relationships, and life experiences can have on wellbeing.

Depending on your goals and preferences, sessions may incorporate:

• Talk-based counselling

• Somatic (body-based) awareness

• Mindfulness and grounding practices

• Nervous system regulation strategies

• Psychoeducation

There is no expectation that you participate in any particular exercise or approach. You are free to pause, decline, modify, or stop any activity at any time.

Participation is always voluntary. Your comfort, consent, and sense of safety are prioritised

Services Offered:

I provide individual counselling for adults experiencing concerns such as:

• Trauma and complex trauma

• Anxiety and stress

• Emotional regulation difficulties

• Life transitions and identity exploration

• Relationship challenges

• Grief and loss

• Burnout and nervous system dysregulation

• Personal growth and self-understanding

Professional Scope and Limitations

Counselling can support emotional wellbeing, self-awareness and personal growth. However, counselling is not a substitute for medical, psychiatric, legal or emergency services.

I do not:

• Prescribe medication

• Provide medical treatment

• Conduct psychiatric assessments

• Prepare forensic or court reports

• Deliver return to work/work cover services

• Provide emergency crisis services

Where your needs fall outside my training, competence or scope of practice, I may recommend referral to another appropriately qualified service or practitioner. This is part of my ethical responsibility as a counsellor.

At Purnam Therapy, I aim to provide a safe, respectful and inclusive space where you can explore your experiences at your own pace. Therapy is a collaborative process, and you remain the expert in your own life. I believe that healing is supported through choice, transparency and empowerment. You are encouraged to ask questions, discuss concerns and make informed decisions about your care throughout the counselling process.

Purnam Therapy is committed to providing trauma-informed, ethical and culturally responsive care that honours your autonomy, safety and lived experience.

You have the right to:

• Be treated with dignity, respect and compassion

• Participate actively in decisions about your care

• Ask questions about therapy and counselling approaches

• Seek a second opinion or end counselling at any time

• Know how your information is collected and used

• Request access to your personal information

• Request correction of inaccurate information

• Raise concerns or make a complaint without fear of discrimination

Potential Benefits and Challenges of Therapy:

Many clients experience benefits such as:

• Increased self-awareness

• Improved emotional regulation

• Greater self-compassion

• Enhanced relationships

• Improved coping skills

At times, therapy may involve discussing difficult emotions, memories or experiences. This can feel uncomfortable and may temporarily increase distress before improvement occurs.

Somatic and Body-Based Practice

• Some sessions may include invitations to explore body awareness, breath, grounding exercises, movement, mindfulness or nervous system regulation strategies.

• Participation in any body-based practice is always your choice. You may pause, modify or decline any exercise at any time without judgement or impact on your access to therapy.

• It is the client's responsibility to confirm suitability or risks of engaging in body movement with a suitable medical professional.

You are encouraged to communicate openly about your experience so we can work safely and collaboratively.

Fees

Individual Telehealth Counselling 50-minute session: $150 AUD

Payment is required at the time of booking or on the day of your appointment via the payment methods provided.

Cancellation Policy

Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you. To support the sustainability of the practice and allow other clients the opportunity to access appointments, the following cancellation policy applies:

• More than 24 hours' notice: No cancellation fee applies.

• 12 to 24 hours' notice: 50% of the session fee will be charged ($75).

• Less than 12 hours' notice: 100% of the session fee will be charged ($150).

• Missed appointments (no-show): The full session fee ($150) will be charged.

If unforeseen circumstances arise, please contact me as soon as possible. I understand that emergencies can occur and will consider exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

You don't need a referral to access counselling at Purnam Therapy.

Simply book an appointment online or get in touch to arrange an initial session. As a registered ACA counsellor, I welcome self-referrals from adults seeking support for trauma, anxiety, life transitions, relationships, emotional wellbeing, and personal growth.

If another health professional such as your GP, psychologist, psychiatrist, or allied health practitioner has recommended counselling, they are welcome to provide relevant information, but a referral is not required.

Purnam Therapy does not offer crisis or after-hours support.

I care about your safety and wellbeing. Due to the limited hours of my service delivery and working in private practice, I do not have the resources or capacity to support you if you are managing crisis and concerns for safety.

I understand the nuanced nature of mental health recovery and distress, especially for people who have developmental trauma, neurodiversity, experiences of discrimination, or negative service experiences in the past.

If you require urgent support now to manage the safety of yourself or someone else, please see my resources section for service information.

If you are engaged with an existing care team and want to explore involving Purnam Therapy as a part of your these supports, please reach out to discuss.

If you require further information and supports to exercise your rights whilst engaging with services:

• Health Direct provides 24/7 health advice 1800 022 222 as well as a number of directories if you are wishing to access support in your area, for example: patient advocacy and liaison , mental health crisis assessment and treatment

• You can search for independent Disability Advocacy supports in your state here, or by calling the Disability Gateway on 1800 643 787

• More information about your mental health rights, quality standards, and laws in Australia and by state can be found here

Psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists and social workers are all therapists who offer mental health support. In therapy, the differences can often feel subtle, and more dependent on the therapeutic relationship, or specific practitioners’ expertise and skills. One of the clearest differences relates to legal governance, assumed education and training, as well as cost and available Medicare rebates.

Counselling:

·       Because counselling is not currently a regulated/legal term in Australia, people can call themselves counsellors freely regardless of their education, training, ongoing professional development, or alignment with best practice frameworks. This is why it is important to confirm that your counsellor is registered with a governing body that ensures high levels of qualifications and expertise.

·       The counselling governing bodies in Australia include the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). If your counsellor is registered with these bodies, it confirms they have had minimum formal education, comply with ethical and practice standards, including ongoing training and supervision.

·       Counsellors and psychotherapists are not currently able to provide Medicare rebates for therapy.

·       Checking your counsellors’ registration with ACA or PACFA is one way to ensure they have foundational knowledge, skills, and experience to practice competently, safely and lawfully.

Psychology:

·       In Australia, the practice of psychology is regulated by APHRA, while counselling is not. This is one of the reasons why the cost of psychologists can often be claimed by Medicare.

·       Minimum formal education of registered psychologists in Australia can be assumed, due to the regulation of this profession ensuring a minimum of six years university study and one to two years of supervised clinical practice.

Social Work

·       Social Workers are regulated by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) which requires 4 or 5 years of university study and considerable supervised practical experience.  

·       Social workers provide a diverse range of supportive roles in the community, but some focus specifically on counselling and mental health. If counselling is their primary role, they are required to also be members of ACA or PACFA

·       Social Workers undertake a range of roles within the community, some also focus specifically on counselling and mental health, providing similar services to psychologists and other counsellors.

·       Accredited Mental Health Social Workers have completed additional study, supervised clinical practice which allows them to be registered with Medicare for rebates, similarly to a Psychologist.