Our Approach

For Under 16:

• Phone Call: After initial contact, we will have a brief phone call to discuss how we can help. 

 

• Initial Session: We start with a meeting to gauge your needs and concerns from your perspective. We ensure your voice is heard and your input shapes the support plan.


• Follow-up Sessions: You attend sessions in a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment. We collaborate to decide the number and frequency of sessions, ensuring everyone is comfortable with the plan. Engaging in counselling services is confidential inline with our counselling conract you may download below.

Counselling Contract

• For 16 and Over:
• Independent Counselling: As legal adults, clients over 16 can engage in counselling independently. During the initial session, we discuss their goals, concerns, and preferences to create a personalised support plan. Sessions are fully confidential unless there is a risk of harm, in which case necessary measures will be taken to ensure safety.

Areas of Focus At Barossa Valley Counselling, we specialise in a solution-focused approach to help people navigate the complexities of adolescence and adulthood. Our services support challenges such as:

• Building Confidence & Resilience: Developing coping skills such as mindfulness and journaling, self-awareness (the Ability to recognise and understand one's thoughts and behaviours and how these elements influence one's actions and interactions with others), and emotional strength to handle life’s ups and downs.

 

• Emotional & Behavioural Challenges: Addressing issues like anger, punching walls, impulsivity, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and risk-taking such as taking drugs and alcohol.

 

• Managing Anxiety & Stress: Providing practical strategies (e.g., being active outside, having a healthy lifestyle, talking it out) to manage overwhelming feelings.

 

• Coping with Low Mood & Depression: Offering a safe space to discuss feelings of sadness, loneliness, or hopelessness and providing tools to improve well-being.

 

• School & Academic Challenges: Supporting students with school pressure, study struggles, motivation, and time management.

 

• Friendships & Relationships: Helping young people build strong, healthy connections with friends, family, and peers.

 

• Big Life Changes & Transitions: Guiding young people through significant milestones such as graduation, moving out, or making career choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Counselling? Counselling involves working with trained professionals to explore feelings, overcome challenges, and develop effective coping strategies.

 

• What is Solution-Focused Counselling? This approach focuses on finding practical solutions to current problems and helping individuals develop strategies for moving forward.

 

• What Can I Expect? Expect a warm, non-judgmental environment where your concerns are heard. Sessions are tailored to your needs, helping you set goals and develop a plan for emotional well-being. Our sessions can be in my office if you prefer a more traditional counselling style with a controlled, comfortable environment. If the thought of being outside in nature with the proven benefits of reduced stress and boosted mood sounds good, we can go outside. This can involve walking in the park or sitting in my garden.

 

• Rates & Fees: A brief initial phone call is free. Individual sessions (60 minutes) are $150. For your convenience, we offer telehealth sessions.

 

• Outdoor Experiences (180 minutes) are $ 380. An opportunity to get outdoors. Outdoor therapy offers a range of mental health benefits: reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood, increased focus and attention, boosted creativity, enhanced self-esteem, better social interaction, and a greater sense of well-being, all stemming from the restorative effects of spending time in natural environments.  Hiking, fishing, canoeing, and walking in the park are just some of the activities we can do.

 

• Medicare Rebate: Not available. Counselling services provided by non-medical professionals are not covered by Medicare

 

• Private Health Insurance: Direct claims through private health insurers are not offered, but you may submit our invoice to your insurer for a rebate. Check with your health fund for details on coverage.

Cancellation Policy

• A full fee is charged for no-shows or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the scheduled session.