FAQ

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialised in psychiatry. They treat mental illnesses, and usually prescribe medication as part of their treatment.
Counsellors/psychotherapists can have a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. Their job is not to diagnose mental illnesses, but to utilize each person’s strengths and inner abilities to reach their goals. They work together with psychologists and psychiatrists, and they use a series of therapies to help people with emotional and behavioural problems, stress, anxiety, phobias, life transitions. They can’t prescribe medication.
Psychologists can have a master’s or doctorate in psychology. Psychologists conduct assessments to diagnose psychological disorders and use various therapies to treat disorders. They can’t prescribe medication.
Stage hypnosis utilizes short-term hypnosis for entertainment purposes. Stage hypnotists usually don’t have training in counselling or psychotherapy. Clinical hypnotherapy is used for therapeutical benefits.
Clinical hypno-therapy is hypnosis utilised in a medical way to treat psychological stressors as well as medical conditions. Unlike stage hypnosis, clinical hypnosis is used for a therapeutical benefit of the patient, to change unwanted behaviour, hurtful thinking and reactions to anxiety and stress, among others. A certified clinical hypnotherapist utilizes hypnosis for long-term changes towards personal development. Clinical hypnotherapy must be administered by a trained professional. It is usually used to help with smoking habits, weight management, stress, anxiety, depression, building self-esteem, managing chronic pain, and side effects of cancer diagnose/treatment.
No. Hypnotherapy does not exclude other forms of therapy. Hypnotherapy is a complementary therapy which magnifies and accelerates the application of other therapies.
Noone can control your mind, ever. All hypnosis is self- hypnosis, meaning you are always in control of your experience. During the session you can allow your mind to take you where you mind needs to go, making the experience very unique.
Hypnosis is a state of focused relaxation. Everyone who can focus can benefit from the experience to achieve change.
No, you do not need a referral to see me.
Counsellors/psychotherapists don’t have a Medicare provider number, which means you don’t need to get a doctor’s referral to see me. This facilitates the quick booking process. There’s no waiting list.
Often the rebate from Medicare still leaves a significant gap after paying a Psychiatrist/Psychologist account, and I have found that the net out of pocket is almost the same as my fees.
I still communicate with your GP and other practitioners to update them about your progress.
There are no side effects to hypnotherapy. If in doubt, I always ask your GP if it is ok for us to start working together.
You need to check with your PHF to see if they cover counselling. I am registered with Medibank Private, BUPA, AHM, Doctors’ Health Fund, Teachers Health and Police Health