FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Guiding:

"To guide, to lead an exploration of matters of behaviour and belief, to influence the development of new behaviour, to provide information, and to help make decisions."

Mind(s):

"The element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, feel, reason, and remember, the faculty of a person's consciousness and thought, a person's mental processes."

Counselling and Psychotherapy sessions involve the therapist and client collaboratively working together towards the clients mental health goals. It involves exploring a clients mental state (trauma, triggers, values, beliefs, and morals), challenging negative thoughts, and creating positive change, through trial and error of different strategies and techniques, finding what works best for each individual person.

Both Psychotherapy and Counselling assist people with their mental health, and these terms are often used interchangeably, but they do have subtle differences.

Counselling is typically shorter term, in relation to a current concerning situation or behaviour, and more solutions focussed. 

Psychotherapy is typically longer term, in relation to a reoccurring concern or pattern, and delves deeper into a person’s past, exploring a person's trauma, triggers, values, beliefs, and morals. Psychotherapy provides clients with deeper awareness and insight about themselves. 

Please note that a trained Counsellor often lacks Psychotherapy training. Whereas, a trained Psychotherapist will often be trained in Counselling. 

Our resident therapist, Hayley Hrvojevic, is trained in both Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Tele-Health refers to On-Line appointments. This means that appointments are done via video chat, from the comfort of your own home. All you need for a Tele-Health appointment is a device that has the internet and a camera, like a phone or laptop.  

A link to your Tele-Health (online) meeting will be emailed to you prior to your appointment. Using your phone or laptop, simply click on the link and follow the prompts.

Counselling is available for anyone experiencing any of the following:

· Life's normal ups and downs:

Counselling is not just for the mentally ill. Counselling can assist people experiencing any of life's difficult and confusing circumstances. This includes change, self-image, direction, friendships, relationships, employment, careers, education, university studies, physical health, moving house, loss, pandemics, and more.

· Unhealthy thought patterns, stress, sadness, and change:

Many of us have developed unhealthy thinking patterns over our life time, which can make us over-react or react 'badly' to things. We are often 'triggered' by the unknown. We may have intrusive and negative thoughts, and not know how to deal with the stress we feel. And a lot of us feel sad sometimes and can't figure out why. Counselling can assist you to develop a deeper self-awareness and understanding of yourself, your thought patterns, and your triggers.  It can help you to challenge negative thoughts, create healthy patterns of behaviour, and relieve stress. 

· Mental Health Issues:

Unfortunately, mental illnesses are common. It can take time to find the right doctor, the right medication, the right therapy, and implement helpful lifestyle changes.  However, it is absolutely do-able with the right assistance. Our Counsellors here at Guiding Minds are here to help you through your mental health journey and be by your side during difficult times.

The terms 'Counsellor' and 'Psychotherapist' are unregulated in Australia, meaning that anyone can call themselves a Counsellor or Psychotherapist. 

Therefore, when you are choosing a mental health professional, please ensure they have high level qualifications in Mental Health, Counselling, Psychotherapy, Psychology, or similar. 

The qualification levels are as follows (with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest):

Level 1-4 - Certificate (1-4)

Level 5 - Diploma

Level 6 - Advanced Diploma

Level 7 - Bachelor

Level 8 - Honours

Level 9 - Masters

Level 10 - Doctorate

Our resident Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, Hayley Hrvojevic, has a Masters Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Level 9), and a Bachelor Degree in Psychology (Level 7).

Go to our Contact page and fill out our enquiry form.

Go to our Contact page and fill out our contact form.

A consent form will be emailed to you once an appointment date has been confirmed. This must be filled in and returned via email prior to your appointment.

No. You don't need a referral or mental health care plan to access this counselling service. Simply send an enquiry to get started right away.

We'll start with one and see how you feel.  Some issues may require one or two appointments only, and others may require more. Some on-going issues may require on-going appointments. It is entirely up to you.

After your appointment you will receive an invoice with the Guiding Minds bank details. Simply use mobile or internet banking to transfer the funds immediately after your appointment. Save our details for easy payments for future appointments.