FAQ

Many people find counselling extremely helpful as they deal with various issues and transitions that impact their day-to-day lives. Counselling can help you move forward. You may find counselling helpful if you:

• are having difficulty finding a solution to a reoccurring problem
• are being overwhelmed and may be experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress
• need an objective third party who can listen to your struggles
• have relationships, work, or studies that are being negatively impacted by events in your past or present
• are finding your goals difficult to attain

The short answer is the amount of experience.  Both are qualified to practice counselling.  By the time a student reaches the Internship unit of study they have attained a high standard of both academic theory and practice of counselling.  All clinicians and interns meet the required supervision hours for their level of experience to ensure a continued high level of professionalism.

There are a range of fees available. Individual counsellors will advise you of their fee-scales when you enquire. As a general guideline, counsellors at Ezra will charge between $60-$140, and interns will charge up to a maximum of $15.

Counsellors are trained to facilitate a deeply transformative interpersonal process grounded in a safe, secure therapeutic relationship utilising evidence-based interventions that will support clients to identify and explore a wide range of personal and relational issues impacting their mental health and wellbeing; helping to bring about insight, transformation and change.

Psychologists are specifically trained in diagnosable mental health illnesses and to perform assessments and psychological testing for children and adults.

The Ezra Institute has three locations:

• Morling College, 122 Herring Rd Macquarie Park
• Gordon Baptist Church, 20 – 22 Park Avenue, Gordon
• Mortdale/Oatley Baptist Church, 1 – 5 Woronora Parade, Oatley

A standard individual counselling session is between 50 and 60 minutes.

There is no set number of sessions that you have to attend and no time limit on therapy.

For a confidential enquiry regarding your needs please contact us. We will then refer you to a suitable clinician who will contact you.

At this time, Medicare rebates include services provided by a psychologist, social worker or mental health nurse and do not include services provided by a counsellor. Medicare rebates are given for diagnosable mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety and require a referral from a GP, valid for 6 sessions, up to the limit of 10 sessions per calendar year. There are certain services that are not covered by Medicare, such as relationship and family counselling, and furthermore, a diagnosable mental illness on an individual’s health record may affect the insurance premiums and ability to obtain insurance for those that are self-employed.

At Ezra we currently do not have psychologists as part of our team, however we do have highly experienced, professionally trained, and accredited counsellors who are ready to assist you. Lastly, it is important to consider the overall out-of-pocket expense by taking rebates into account in comparison to the session fee, as well as the length of time you may choose to see a counsellor. Please contact us for further information.

The clinicians working at the Ezra Centre use various modalities of counselling including integrative approaches, emotionally focused therapy, person-centred therapy, relationship therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, attachment theory and more.

If that means nothing to you, you just need to know that our counsellors will listen to you, they will hear you, and they will be a safe place to explore your problem and find some answers.

If you are looking for a specific type or modality of counselling, please contact us and ask.

Supervision is a fundamental element of professional development, professional standards, and professional practice in the workplace. The supervision process provides the supervisee with a safe place to reflect on their professional work and on the impact of their work on their personal and professional life. It is a place for supervisees to receive feedback on their work from a more experienced practitioner and to ensure safe and quality work is provided to clients. Supervision is provided by qualified and accredited supervisors who are experienced in their field of practice.

Engaging in supervision ensures you are equipped to provide the best possible service to your clients. Supervision is a forum for reflection and for accountability. During supervision supervisee’s present their work with clients and engage with their supervisor in a process of reflecting on and reviewing their work so that learning and growth can occur. Supervision keeps practitioners accountable in relation to legal, ethical, and professional issues. Supervision is also supervisee focused and is a critical self-care strategy in the prevention of burnout and compassion fatigue.

Everyone who is engaged in any form of helping profession should be receiving professional supervision from an accredited supervisor. Supervision is central to the health and wellbeing of counsellors, chaplains, pastors, pastoral care workers, community service workers, case managers and all other human services professionals.

The short answer is ‘yes’.  The longer answer is that there are ethical and legal guidelines that state disclosure is necessary in the following circumstances:

1. If your counsellor believes there is a potential for harm either to yourself or another person.
2. If your case file is subpoenaed by a court of law

Please contact us directly if you would like to discuss this further.

We understand that occasionally illness and other events occur that make it difficult for you to keep your appointment.  Where at all possible please give your therapist at least 24 hours’ notice.  Individual therapists may charge if an appropriate amount of notice is not given.

A clinician’s membership in one of the various professional associations ensures a high level of accountability within the helping profession.  In order to practice at Ezra our clinicians are all required to be members of a professional association.

Your first appointment will involve meeting with your counsellor and initially completing an intake form.  In this session you will also have the opportunity to talk about your circumstances and reasons for seeking counselling.  Your counsellor will also discuss the possible direction of future counselling.