Frequently Asked Questions

This is a big question and has its own page.

Choosing to see a counsellor can be a transformative move toward improving your mental and emotional well-being and thriving in you life. Life can be overwhelming at times, and a counsellor such as Robyn, provides a safe, supportive space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and challenges without any judgment in a confidential space. Robyn can help you gain clarity, develop healthier coping strategies, and improve communication and relationships. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, grief, or major life changes, counselling offers personalised tools and guidance to help you navigate difficult situations. It can take some courage, but taking this step demonstrates strength and self-care, empowering you to create a more balanced and fulfilling life. description

Yes, any session can be carried out online if it suits your needs. Simply choose telehealth or tell Robyn when you book in. Telehealth can apply to any session time.

Telehealth requires a couple of things. Firstly, privacy. For effective counselling and safety, you will need to be alone and fully engaged with your counsellor through your device. You will also need zoom installed on your device. You will need to have no distractions. With these detail in place, online counseling is as effective as face-to-face.

You certainly can and I would be keep to speak by phone or hear from you by email. That can help you to have a better feel for what counselling might be like. Here are my contact details. admin@robynbowmancounselling.com.au 0494129364

Not at all. Robyn welcomes people of any faith or no faith to counselling. No matter who you are, you will be repected and valued. Your wellbeing is my first priority.

Robyn is a Masters Qualified counsellor who uses a Person Centred approach which takes principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Creative Therapies. Listening to you is Robyn’s number one therapeutic method but she will recommend appropriate strategies and work if you wish.

I was asked this recently, and I am going to write a detailed blog on this somewhat complex topic.

The short answer is that you should choose whichever health professional 1) most suits your current needs and 2) has a style of connection with you that helps you to feel most comfortable, valued, heard, understood and optimistic. (There is scientific evidence for a swap of 1 and 2) . If you feel a strong connection with your chosen therapist, your recovery is significantly enhanced.

There is great confusion, even amongst therapists, about the work done by others. Some confusion is due to international differences. Others is due to political factors and misinformation, as well as the lack of regulation in the counselling profession. You can, however, look for a counsellor who has the lnvel of qualification you respect, as well as the skills and particular focus you require.

There will be more in my blog. It will be as clear as it can be, but also in lude generalisations. Your own experience will be the best way ot answering the question for you. Anyway, when the blog is written, I will add a link and also post it on Facebook. Stay tuned.

Master of Counselling (Excelsia College)

Diploma of Ministry (Mary Andrews College)

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology/Diploma of Education. (Macquarie University)

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ABN 82 101 193 115

Additional Counselling training to keep skills current is required and completed each year.

Robyn is a registered clinical member of PACFA, the Psychotherapy and Counsellors Federation of Australia.

Robyn is also a registered clinical member of CCAA, the Christian Counsellors Association Australia.

PACFA - Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia is a peak body for Member Associations which meet the standards developed as appropriate for professional practitioners within the disciplines of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

CCAA - Christian Counsellors Association of Australia provides professional registration for counsellors at Graduate and Clinical levels. It also provides networking and a range of professional development programs including state and national conferences.

Yes, some companies provide a rebate for counselling if you have the correct level of cover. More information about companies is available at my Private Health Rebates page, but I recommend you also check your policy. Private Health Insurance claims are now available through Robyn Bowman Counselling. I do not offer the HICAPPS swipe convenience unfortunately, so you will still need to use my receipt after paying for your session, to claim back your rebate. Let me know if you need a receipt and I will send you one everytime your session payment comes through.

Generally, clients attend counselling weekly for the first week, then fortnightly for several months. After that, if required, fortnightly or monthly counselling ma be recommended.

This is actually a huge question and there is much overlap between each of these. Counsellors are said to use talking therapy, and yet all three would talk through problems with their clients. Psychologists are said to use CBT and concentrate on behaviour and yet all three will do that. Psychiatrists use a medical model and can prescribe. Counsellors are not requered to hold qualifications and yet most wil have at least a diploma or degree, and many also have a Masters and/or Phd. Counsellors are the only ones who cannot bill Medicare for your consultation but their fees rre often lower than the gap you pay a psychologist of a psychiatrist. and they do not use a medical model in their practice. Nevertheless, qualified counsellors will use evidence based strategies in a person centred approach to help you talk through your struggles, as well as advise you on additional strategies, and these are many including mindfulness and much more.

No, the purpose of counselling at Robyn Bowman Counselling is for you to become stronger and more resilient, so that you can enjoy great mental health and really thrive, living your life in a way that resonates with your deeply held values. I use only evidence based psychological therapies. Of course, if spiritual issues are raised, we can discuss them. (see What is Christian Counselling)

Yes, legally, I must have one. www.robynbowmancounselling.com.au/confidentiality-and-privacy

Click here for more information about confidentiality www.robynbowmancounselling.com.au/privacy

Yes, I have professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance. These are good common sense as well as being required by my professional associations. Please ask if you would like more details.

Yes. According to PACFA, only 24 percent of counsellors charge less than $100 per session and you can expect to pay betwee $60 and $180 for counselling. My Health Care Card rate is $60 and my regular consultation fee of $100 is at the low end of the scale. (If you see a psychologist instead, you can expect to pay at least $110 after the medicare rebate for limited sessions, as long as you have a mental health plan your GP.)