Frequently Asked Questions

Your privacy is of utmost importance and I am bound by law to keep what we talk about during your session confidential however there are three key areas where confidentiality can be overridden. 

Safety

It is important to know that your confidentiality can be legally broken when you or somebody else is likely to be facing serious safety issues that cannot be reduced or resolved in the session. In some cases I am mandated to report concerns.

Subpoenas

I am required by law to provide your files to the law courts if a subpoena is issued however the rules vary depending on individual or relationship counselling. If you are doing couple counselling and your files are subpoenaed there is law that can often protect your files from being used. Your file will still be handed over to the courts but if you speak to lawyer, depending on your individual situation, they may be able to block your files from being used. 

Professional Supervision 

Professional supervision is something that all therapists and counsellors should undertake as best practice. It is also a strict requirement of professional registration designed to keep a therapists conduct accountable. I discuss my work with my supervisor who is also required by law to keep what I talk about confidential. To respect your privacy, even though I trust my supervisor totally, I never use surnames and generally do not provide names when discussing my work.

If you have questions about confidentiality or its limits, I am happy to answer them. 

Individual counselling 

• sessions go for 50 minutes.

Family and couple counselling

•  sessions vary with first sessions being 80 minutes in duration 
• most follow up sessions for couples go for 50 minutes*
• families sessions vary between 50 minutes and 80 minutes depending on number of attendees 

* sometimes in couples therapy there is a specific issue that may require an 80 minute session but this will be discussed and planned. 

Regular Fees:

• $263 per 50 minute session 
• $394.50 per 80 minute session

Concession Fees:

• $203.00  per 50 minute session
• $304.50 per 80 minute session

Fees are kept below the APS National Schedule of Fees 2024-2025 which recommends the standard 46 to 60-minute consultation fee at $311, a 46 to 60 minute couples consultation fee of $312 or a 76-90 minute extended couples consultation of $450.

Financial Hardship:

• Every effort is made to accomodate people where financial hardship is a key barrier to ongoing therapy. Please discuss with Wendy Schembri to negotiate either a tailored fee for a period of time,  or provide a referral to an alternative service if there is a known one at the time you raise the issue. 

All fees are to be paid on the day.

Cancellation Policy and Health Insurance Rebates

Cancellations:

• 24 hours notice is required. A fee of $90.00 will apply for not attending a booked appointment without 24 hours notification. This fee can be waived under exceptional circumstances.

Health Insurances:

• Medicare rebates are not available.

• Private health insurance policies vary. Please consult your provider to ascertain if they provide a rebate for clinical family therapists. My titles/qualifications are: 

- Clinical family therapist registered with the Australian Association of Family Therapy

- Bachelor of psychological science

- Graduate diploma of psychology 

- Masters of social science (family therapy)

The frequency of counselling sessions will depend on your individual needs and goals. After your assessment you will be provided with a recommendation based on your therapy needs. 

Some people prefer to come in weekly while others prefer bi-weekly or monthly sessions. Some people have busy schedules, or a specific budgets so we consider your therapeutic needs, the pathway to meet counselling goals, and individual circumstances to negotiate what suits you best. 

Some people have things that may be very difficult to talk about and they are afraid of the consequences of telling their partner or family. 

If your counselling is relationship counselling it is my job to help you navigate the relationship problems so I cannot hold secrets. Therapy would become biased and I would be colluding with part of the problem and unable to help. 

It is best to talk about this in individual therapy where you can explore what it means to you.