It's great that you're taking this step for your mental health! Seeing someone for the first time can feel a little nerve-wracking, but knowing what to expect can make it easier.

• What Happens in a First Appointment?
  Introductions & Getting Comfortable – Your therapist or psychiatrist will likely start by explaining how the process works, including confidentiality and what you can expect from sessions.
• Talking About Why You're There – You don’t need to have all the answers. They may ask open-ended questions like:"What brought you in today?"
  "How have you been feeling lately?"
  "Have you noticed any patterns in your mood or behavior?"
• History & Background – They might ask about your mental health history, any big life events, relationships, work/school stress, sleep, and physical health.
• Setting Goals – If you're comfortable, you can discuss what you hope to get from therapy. If you're not sure, that's okay! They can help you figure it out.
• Next Steps – The therapist might suggest a plan for future sessions, coping strategies, or even recommend a psychiatrist if medication could help.

That’s totally normal. Finding the right therapist can take a little trial and error. If you don’t feel comfortable after a couple of sessions, it’s okay to try someone else. There will be no pressure.

Yes. Everything we talk about is confidential. The only exceptions are rare situations where we are legally required to act to keep you or someone else safe, which we would always discuss with you where possible.

Yes, studies have shown that attending psychology services online is just as effective as seeing someone face-to-face.

Online therapy can be a very effective way of helping most people.

Yes. Our online sessions are private and confidential. We use secure, encrypted telehealth platforms, and everything we discuss is handled with the same professional and legal confidentiality standards as in-person appointments.

Telehealth is generally only available during our business hours. In some cases, sessions outside these hours may be arranged by prior agreement. If you need support outside our operating hours, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or call 000 in an emergency.

If your child is experiencing ongoing changes in behaviour, mood, sleep, school engagement, or emotional regulation, support from a psychologist can help.

We work with families to understand what’s happening and whether therapy is the right next step.

Yes. We take a collaborative approach and involve parents where appropriate. This may include check-ins, guidance strategies, and support at home, while still respecting your child’s privacy and developmental needs.

We create a warm, safe, and age-appropriate environment where children can feel at ease. Sessions are tailored to your child’s age and needs and may include play-based, creative, or practical strategies to help them express themselves and build skills.

We support adolescents with a range of concerns, including anxiety, low mood, stress, emotional regulation, self-esteem, school pressures, social challenges, and family changes.

Adolescents are entitled to confidentiality in therapy. We explain this clearly to both teens and parents at the outset, with the understanding that parents will be involved if there are safety concerns or serious risks.

We take a respectful, collaborative approach and meet adolescents where they are. Building trust is a priority, and sessions are tailored to be practical, relevant, and engaging, helping young people feel heard rather than judged.

We support adults and senior citizens with concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, grief and loss, trauma, chronic health adjustment, life transitions, retirement, and relationship or family changes.

The first session is focused on understanding what’s been happening, your goals, and how we can best support you. It’s also an opportunity to ask questions and ensure the approach feels comfortable and appropriate for your stage of life.

No referral is required to book an appointment. However, if you wish to access Medicare rebates, a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP is needed.

If your family is dealing with ongoing conflict, big changes, stress, or communication breakdowns that feel hard to resolve on your own, family support can help everyone understand each other better and figure out practical ways forward. It’s useful even when the issue seems small—early support can stop things from getting bigger.

Not always. Sessions are tailored to your family’s needs and may involve different combinations of family members at different times, depending on the goals of therapy.

That’s very common. We adapt our approach to suit each family member’s age and role, helping everyone feel heard while working together toward shared goals.

We support active and retired military personnel with concerns including transition to civilian life, trauma, stress, anxiety, mood difficulties, relationship challenges, and adjustment to life after service.

No. Support is available for a wide range of service-related and personal challenges. Whether difficulties stem from operational duties, workplace stress, family impacts, or life transitions, therapy can be helpful.

Yes. Our senior psychologist was in the Air Force for 13 years and was deployed.

We recognise the unique demands, values, and experiences of military life. Our approach is respectful, practical, and informed by an understanding of military culture, while remaining focused on your individual needs.