Watkins Therapy Group
Finding help shouldn't be a hassle.Your questions answered
This page should help to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about Counselling and Coaching. If you can’t find an answer to your question here reach out to our team via the Contact Us page will be happy to help.
What does Counselling entail?
In its essence, counselling involves engaging in dialogue about personal challenges with a skilled professional who guides you towards positive resolutions and empowers you to develop effective strategies for overcoming hurdles.
According to the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), psychotherapy and counselling are professional practices centred on fostering interpersonal connections to facilitate self-awareness and transformative change in individuals’ lives.
A Counsellor, equipped with training and expertise, aids individuals in gaining deeper self-insight and imparts therapeutic techniques to navigate personal, interpersonal, and internal conflicts.
All of our Counsellors are fully qualified, registered and insured to ensure you get the highest level of support.
To learn more about how Watkins Therapy Group counselling can help you click here.
What is Coaching?
Coaching is geared towards enhancing an individual’s performance across various aspects of their life. Within a coaching session, your Coach creates a supportive environment to aid you in unleashing your potential and progressing towards your desired goals, both in the present and for the future.
Through thought-provoking inquiries and motivational guidance, your Coach will equip you with tools to maintain focus and momentum. By exploring these questions, you often unearth insights and solutions crucial for taking decisive actions and achieving your objectives.
While coaching primarily focuses on empowerment rather than therapy, there’s potential for overlap with counselling. Our certified Coaches seamlessly integrate counselling when necessary to address deeper issues alongside coaching sessions.
To find out how our Watkins Therapy Group Coaches can help you
Coaching is geared towards enhancing an individual’s performance across various aspects of their life. Within a coaching session, your Coach creates a supportive environment to aid you in unleashing your potential and progressing towards your desired goals, both in the present and for the future.
Through thought-provoking inquiries and motivational guidance, your Coach will equip you with tools to maintain focus and momentum. By exploring these questions, you often unearth insights and solutions crucial for taking decisive actions and achieving your objectives.
While coaching primarily focuses on empowerment rather than therapy, there’s potential for overlap with counselling. Our certified Coaches seamlessly integrate counselling when necessary to address deeper issues alongside coaching sessions.
To find out how our Watkins Therapy Group Coaches can help you click here..
What to seek in an exceptional Counsellor or Coach?
With a plethora of professionals available through a simple online search, discerning between dedicated experts and less qualified individuals is crucial. Ensuring that your chosen Counselor or Coach possesses the necessary qualifications is paramount. A swift verification on the Psychotherapy & Counseling Federation of Australia (PACFA) or Australian Counselling Association (ACA) websites can confirm their credentials.
A Counsellor should establish a secure, welcoming, and confidential space, instilling a sense of comfort and ease from the initial meeting.
A remarkable Coach invests time in understanding your unique needs and tailors sessions accordingly, demonstrating empathy, compassion, and genuine concern for your welfare.
Feeling truly heard and understood, free from judgement, is essential. Moreover, you should feel encouraged and supported to embark on the potentially challenging journey toward your goals.
How to determine if Counselling or Coaching are suitable for you?
Your mental well-being and overall satisfaction with life profoundly impact various aspects, including eating, sleeping, working, and socialising. If you sense that you’re not managing as effectively as you’d like or not living in alignment with your desires, then counselling and/or coaching could be beneficial.
Individuals often develop coping mechanisms to navigate challenging circumstances or trauma. However, some coping strategies may become counterproductive over time. Having someone to confide in and a support system is vital for personal growth and resilience.
Counselling orn coaching sessions are beneficial for anyone grappling with destructive behaviour patterns, personal concerns, or seeking assistance in achieving their goals.
Is a referral required to see a Counsellor or Coach?
No, you don’t require a referral or a Mental Health Care Plan from a healthcare provider to schedule an appointment with our counsellors or coaches. The majority of our clients are either referred through word-of-mouth or seek assistance independently. Additionally, other counsellors may suggest one of our counsellors or coaches if they believe they are better suited to address the individual’s specific concerns.
Booking online is a breeze, ensuring convenience for your schedule. Click here to access the available appointment times and secure your booking swiftly.
What are the fees for Counselling & Coaching?
Please note that fees are subject to updates, so we recommend clicking on the booking link provided to confirm the current rates.
Counselling and coaching sessions are available both in-person and via telehealth, fee types start from –
- Individual counselling (50 minutes): From $145*, inclusive of GST**
- Couples counselling (50 minutes): From $175*, inclusive of GST**
- For coaching, team, group, and corporate services, please contact us directly to discuss fees.
Telehealth sessions require payment via credit card or bank transfer before the session. In-person sessions can be settled with cash or card on the day of the appointment.
For those covered by NDIS, service agreements are available, and invoices can be provided. For further clarification on details, please contact us directly.
*Please note – individual therapists fees may vary and fees for specific service types are different. Please check the booking page for accurate fees for these services.
**GST may or may no applicible.
Is Medicare or Private Health Insurance coverage applicable?
In Australia, Registered Counsellors do not fall under the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS), hence, Medicare rebates are not applicable.
A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) or GP Referral is not required for our consultations nor can it be used for rebateable sessions with a Counsellor.
A MHCP may offer Medicare rebates for appointments with a registered Psychologist or Psychiatrist, to which our Counsellors can offer referrals to these allied health professionals if necessary.
Feel free to contact us for further guidance.
*Private health insurance rebates may be available with specific Counsellors.
What is the cancellation policy?
Given the high demand for appointment slots, we kindly ask for 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Cancellations or rescheduling requests made within 48 hours of your appointment time will incur a cancellation fee of $105. This fee will be deducted from your card if the booking was made online, or it will be payable within 24 hours of the original appointment time.
Cancellations on the day of appointment or failure to attend your scheduled appointment will result in being charged the full rate.
Changes made to appointments prior to the 48-hour window will not incur any fees.
How do I choose the right appointment?
Individual Counselling:
If you’re grappling with feelings of sadness, overwhelm, anxiety, isolation, or struggling to manage your emotions, we recommend booking an individual counselling session. Additionally, if you’re interested in exploring an anger management program or navigating through a life transition like a relationship breakdown, counselling can be invaluable.
Individual Coaching:
Seeking to unlock your untapped potential for optimal daily performance? Individual Performance Coaching sessions are tailored to help you discover your life’s purpose, excel in relationships, achieve financial success, surpass athletic goals, and much more.
Couples Counselling:
Watkins Therapy Group offers counselling for couples in need of support to rebuild trust, enhance communication, and foster emotional connection.
Couples counselling offers a transformative journey towards understanding the dynamics at play within your relationship.
We are committed to meeting you where you are, offering unwavering support during difficult times, and celebrating your victories. Your journey is embraced with empathy, free from judgment, and shrouded in complete confidentiality.
Team, Group & Corporate Coaching:
Our Director, Benjamin Watkins, specialises in Team, Group & Corporate Performance Coaching, fostering cohesive and motivated teams in both professional and sporting environments. Through strategic communication techniques and tools, Benjamin facilitates defining roles, establishing mutual purpose, agreeing on a unified vision, and taking positive steps towards shared goals.
Benjamin excels at motivating individuals to collaborate efficiently, improve communication, and cultivate a successful environment. Schedule an intro call with Benjamin today to elevate your team’s performance.
What to expect at your initial appointment?
Attending your first session with a new Counsellor and/or Coach can understandably feel overwhelming. At Watkins Therapy Group, we prioritise creating a comfortable atmosphere to ease any apprehensions. Typically Counsellors/Coaches initiate the session with a casual conversation to help you feel more at ease. If you’re ready to delve into your concerns, your Counsellor/Coach will pose questions aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of your background and needs. Importantly, they allocate time for you to inquire about their therapeutic approach, ensuring that you’re comfortable with the process and feel confident about working together.
Some questions you may be asked include:
- What prompted you to seek counselling or coaching?
- Are you currently experiencing symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, or stress?
- Have you attempted any other methods to address your issues?
- Do you have a support system in place?
- What are your objectives for counselling and/or coaching?
- How do you envision a successful outcome?
Additionally, your Counsellor/Coach may provide insights into the counselling and coaching techniques and methodologies they intend to employ to assist you in achieving your goals. By the conclusion of your initial session, you can expect to have a plan in place for subsequent sessions and a clearer understanding of how your Counsellor/Coach can support you in reaching your full potential.
How to determine the number of Counselling or Coaching sessions required?
While we aim to provide an estimate of the number of counselling or coaching sessions you may require during your initial or second appointment, it’s essential to acknowledge that every individual and circumstance is unique. Therefore, any estimation provided serves only as a guideline.
Some individuals may achieve their objectives within a few sessions and may opt for occasional reinforcement sessions on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. Conversely, others may prefer weekly sessions over several months to address and fully resolve their concerns. You and your Counsellor and/or Coach will collaborate to explore these possibilities and devise a personalised plan that aligns with your needs and preferences.
Is Counselling & Coaching confidential?
Absolutely!
All our Counsellors and Coaches are qualified and are members of the Psychotherapy and Counseling Federation of Australia (PACFA) or Australian Counselling Association (ACA), which upholds a stringent commitment to client confidentiality, adhering to a rigorous code of ethics.
However, there are exceptions. A Counsellor or Coach is legally obligated to report anything that poses a threat to your well-being or that of others, or if confidential notes are subpoenaed by the courts, confidentiality may be breached.
Additionally, Counsellors engage in supervision, where they may seek advice from other therapists. While case details may be discussed, client identities remain safeguarded.