Frequently Asked Questions

 Counselling, therapy and psychosocial support is available for the following concerns that may be impacting negatively on your mental well-being:

LGBTQA+ identity · Depression · Anxiety · Low Mood · Stress · Grief and Loss (including death by suicide) · Addictive Behaviours (including alcohol, food, gambling) · Self-Identity · Feelings of being Stuck · Low Self-Esteem · Minority stress · Internalised Shame · Suicide Ideation · Questioning, exploring, concealing or disclosing authentic diverse sexual-orientation and or gender · Click the message icon to enquire.

 IF LIFE IS IMMEDIATE DANGER OF HARM CALL  000 (triple zero)

• Lifeline 13 11 14

• QLife 1800 184 527 

(for the LGBTQ+ communities between 3pm and midnight)

• 13YARN - 13 92 76 - for our First Nations communities 

• Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36

• Mens Line Australia 1300 78 99 78

• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

• DV Connect 1800 811 811

•  Carolyn works exclusively with LGBTQA+ individuals 18+ experiencing concerns which are impacting on their mental and emotional well-being, relationships and day-to-day life, including navigating the cisgender heteronormative world we live in. Click the message icon to enquire.

• Yes, we are a fee-for-service private practice. No payment, No session. Please see the fee tab for more information. Fees must be paid in full prior to your appointment and received 24 hours prior to your scheduled time by bank transfer, see TC&Ps page for more information. Please Note: Medicare rebates are NOT available. 

• NO! We are a small private practice with our own bills to pay. If you ask for a 'cheaper price' for my professional services, then please do not be offended when I say no. Please be respectful of my experience, ongoing professional development and overheads to be able to make my services available for you. 
• We recognise that finances are tight in the current climate, but do you ask your doctor, dentist or hairdresser for a discount?
• I understand that you may put your mental health wellbeing on the backburner whilst things are financially strained, however investing and supporting your mental wellbeing now will potentially save money in the future. 

• No. You do not need a referral, you can self-refer and book an appointment directly with Carolyn. This allows you autonomy over your mental health care, and maintains your privacy and confidentiality*. Click the message icon to enquire.

• The answer is NO. Mental Health Treatment/Care Plans (MHTP) are NOT accepted at Obsidian. 
• MHTPs are required and used to access subsidised services through the Better Access Scheme and Medicare. A MHTP requires you to have diagnosis of mental illness, and treatment information is shared back to your GP. Certified Practicing Counsellors are not part of this scheme. Please note MHTP were formerly known as Mental Health Care Plans MHCP .
• You do not need a 'diagnosis' to speak with a Certified Practising Counsellor. I do not provide information back to your GP, this is up to you to inform your GP about we what we discuss. We will work together privately and confidentially* on your concerns.
• Please Note: Not everything that impacts negatively on your mental wellbeing requires a diagnosis, you can access support for mental health well-being without a 'diagnosis'

•  NO. Obsidian does not operate within the 'Medicare Model', therefore we do not and cannot give rebates or bulk bill. 

• Yes, you can book an appointment at Obsidian. The Productivity Commissions Report into Mental Health (2020) states that consumers have the right to choose which Allied Mental Health Care Professional they see.

• Yes. We are NOT a crisis mental health or counselling service and appointments must be booked at least 12 days in advance if a time is available. Click the message icon to enquire.

• What you discuss with a Certified Practising Counsellor will remain private and confidential* within guidelines set-out by their code of ethics and further government legislation. 
• No one will know you have spoken with a Certified Practising Counsellor unless you choose to tell them. 
• The exception of this is if required by law or if the Certified Practising Counsellor feels you are at significant risk of harm to yourself and or to others.

• Most sessions are typically 60 minutes. However sometimes you may wish to book a longer session this would be discussed and arranged with your Certified Practising Counsellor prior. 
• Extra charges will apply for longer sessions on an hourly pro rata rate. 

• Yes we do 0424 850 453. 
• Please note the number is not monitored 24/7 and calls and messages will NOT be answered or responded to in a timely manner.  
• The quickest way to contact is via email carolyn@obsidian-counselling.au 

• There is no minimum or maximum number of sessions, this will depend upon yourself. 
• You may only need a few sessions or you may need longer. 
• There is no limit on the number of sessions you can have with a Certified Practising Counsellor. 
• You can attend weekly, fortnightly or monthly, the closer together sessions are, the more progress that will potentially be made, however we understand that not everyone can afford to attend weekly. 
• Most people typically have around 6 to 10 sessions, that's a minimum investment of approximately $720 - $1200 on your mental health wellbeing.

• A Certified Practising Counsellor (CPC) is a university educated Counsellor specifically trained in counselling skills and therapeutic modalities. 
• To qualify to use the title the completed training must meet the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) rigorous training standards.
•  CPCs must complete ongoing professional development, supervision and follow a Code of Ethics, to maintain their registration. 
• Carolyn has completed both a Master of Counselling and Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) to meet the PACFA standards.

•  Yes. Certified Practising Counsellor follow the Code of Ethics set-out by their regulatory organisation. 
• Carolyn follows the Code of Ethics and guidelines set by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). 
• Carolyn also follows further government guidelines. 

•  YES. All appointments are online. Appointments can be booked here and are available Monday, and Saturday Please see TC&Ps.

•  YES. We work with self and plan managed NDIS participants who have psychosocial supports and capacity building included in their plan. 
• All appointments are online via Zoom. 
• Appointments can be booked here and are available Monday, and Saturday Please see TC&Ps.

• We currently use Zoom to conduct all sessions. 
• There are limits to confidentiality and privacy when using any online services. 
• It is the clients responsibility to understand their internet or phone providers privacy and confidentiality policies. 
• Further information is contained in the Informed Consent form you will be emailed before starting sessions. 

• We have a focus on the mental health well-being of the LGBTQA+ communities including:· Self-Identity...Who Am I? · Questioning and or Exploring your sexual-orientation or gender identity, including later in life · Minority Stress · Becoming your Authentic Self · Major Life Change including Disclosing to Self and others and or Inviting In your sexual-orientation or gender identity to others · and more

•  At this time my knowledge and experience of working with and the needs of Intersex individuals is limited and as such I do not wish to falsely advertise that I work with this client group. 
• I am an ally of the Intersex communities, their fight for basic human rights, and to stop unnecessary surgeries on non-consenting babies/children to conform to societies gender norm expectations of a male female binary. 
• For more information on Intersex individuals and communities please see the Intersex Human Rights Australia website. For specialised counselling services please see the InterLink website.