F A Q
Here are some of the common questions we get asked.
How do I know if I should see a counsellor?
Do you feel out of sorts? Worried? Confused? Not yourself? Lost? Wishing things could be different, but not sure how? Arise counsellors can help you find your way.
Arise Counselling provides a neutral and safe space for you to:
gain tools to understand your situation
discover your strengths, skills and resources
and with tailored Arise support find hope in your present
Arise Counselling + Consultancy will help you to step into the future you desire, equipped with the necessary tools and resources to shape your reality and determine your future.
How can I take care of my mental health?
Mental health is more than just your thoughts and feelings. It’s a combination of factors including your work/vocation, social, physical and spiritual health. Counselling is a great way to look after you, providing you with a safe space to nurture and care for these different aspects of you, seeing you as a whole person.
Arise counsellors will work together with you, helping you to talk about and understand what’s happening for you, whilst equipping you with insights and the necessary tools you need to become the expert of your life. This often involves helping you to create a tailored self-care plan that you can adjust and take with you. This empowers you to be in control of your mental health, helping you to be healthy and thriving.
What type of counsellor should I see?
This will depend on the struggle/s you are experiencing. There are counsellors that only specialise in certain areas (i.e. addiction, trauma), and counsellors that work generally covering surface aspects of most struggles, but aren’t able to assist you with the expertise necessary to get to the core of the struggle and find a sustainable resolve.
At Arise Counselling + Consultancy you can be assured that you are receiving highly specialised expert care that efficiently addresses and helps you resolve a multitude of issues. Check out our counselling section to see some of the struggles we can help you with.
What is the best way to recommend counselling to a friend?
Compassion is key. Listen to your friend’s struggle and acknowledge the impacts this is having on them. Share your positive experiences of counselling (if you have these). Otherwise talk about how you (or someone you know) have found it helpful to be able to talk to a neutral trained person about life challenges, who keeps them confidential and offers caring and practical assistance. You can offer to help them find a counsellor, or perhaps accompany them to their GP to discuss getting a referral to counselling via a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). This MHCP will enable your friend to receive a Medicare rebate, making counselling more affordable if that is a concern for them. Arise Counselling + Consultancy can provide clients with Medicare rebates should they have a MHCP.
What does it cost to see a counsellor?
Counselling fees can vary, often depending on the level of qualifications and expertise you are receiving. You can expect to pay anywhere between $180-$240 per session. Medicare rebates for eligible individuals can help reduce these costs.
Arise Counselling + Consultancy offers eligible individuals $85.20 back from Medicare.
How long will it take to notice progress with my counselling?
Counselling experiences are subjective and it can take time to see progress; however, while you can’t expect to accomplish all your counselling goals overnight, you can expect to see some level of progress within three to four sessions.
Where is Arise Counselling + Consultancy located?
Arise Counselling + Consultancy is based in our clinic in North Perth, Western Australia. However, we are also able to provide online and phone consultations if this is more suited to your needs.
How long is a session with a counsellor?
Counselling sessions are often 50 minutes long.
How do I know that I’m seeing a reputable and qualified counsellor?
This is an important question to ask. To ensure that you are seeing a reputable counsellor it is important to ask them for their qualifications (i.e. Social Work, Counselling, Psychology) and where they attained these from. You want these to be from known Universities (i.e. Curtin University, Murdoch University, UWA). Reputable Counsellors will also be registered with a regulating body, satisfying their strict requirements and rules.
Arise Counsellor Lipika Ghose holds a Bachelor of Social Work, a Masters of Counselling and is an accredited Mental Health Social Worker. This means she is a highly trained and educated mental health professional who has met some of the highest standards of professional regulation in Australia, and thus received accreditation and endorsement with the Australian Association of Social Work.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist and counsellor?
A psychiatrist, psychologist and counsellor can all provide counselling to varying levels. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in psychiatry, this means they can provide specialist diagnosis, prescribe medication and offer some counselling. A psychologist works with the mind and behaviour, treating emotional and behaviour disorders; they are able to provide a mental health diagnosis and counselling, however, cannot prescribe medication. A counsellor has a broad range of therapy skills to assist clients in working through their struggles and finding solutions together; they do not prescribe medication.
At Arise Counselling + Consultancy our counsellors are also Mental Health Social Workers which means they can provide specific and targeted psychological interventions, whilst using a broad set of counselling therapies and seeing you as a whole person.
How long do most people get counselling for?
The length of therapy for any individual/couple is very much dependent upon their present circumstances, personal history, current resources, and their willingness to commit to therapy. For some people this can be a few sessions, for other people this can be a few years. What is important however, is the benefit you gain from counselling. If you feel it is benefiting you, then it is worth the investment. After all, you are investing in you, and therefore are guaranteed to win.
Is there anything I can’t tell a counsellor?
This is one of the great benefits of counselling, you can tell your counsellor anything. A good counsellor is a neutral non-judgemental person, who offers you compassion, care, insight, expertise and tools.
Arise Counsellors help you to feel comfortable and safe to discuss things you perhaps wouldn’t speak to anyone else about. They help you gain perspective, understanding, awareness, and equip you with necessary tools to help you along your journey. They work hard to remain a safe and trusted space for you, a sanctuary and retreat.
Is it best to see a counsellor of my same gender?
This is a personal choice and it depends on who you feel most comfortable talking with. The right counsellor for you will help you feel calm, connected, heard, and understood regardless of their gender. The counsellors at Arise Counselling + Consultancy are highly experienced in working with people of all genders.
What if I can’t afford counselling?
Counselling can seem expensive, but you are investing in yourself. Emotional wellness is just as important as your physical health. Arise Counselling + Consultancy offers a Medicare rebate for clients who have a Mental Health Care Plan (via their GP/psychiatrist) which currently entitles them to 10 discounted sessions per calendar year. Should counselling still be a financial barrier for you please discuss with your Arise counsellor.
How often should I attend counselling?
This is something you and your counsellor decide together. People who feel they need more support may attend weekly, while others may attend fortnightly or even monthly depending on their personal circumstances.
