Counselling used to be regarded as something that only 'weak' or 'needy' people sought.  There was a general community suspicion about both counsellors and those who sought their services.  The character, Mick Dundee, when confronted with the idea of people seeing a psychiatrist asked, "Don't (these) people have mates?"

Of course, that has all changed quite dramatically over the past 25 years.  Counselling is becoming more and more accepted and is performed by all manner of people (counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, pastors and social workers).

Once upon a time people sought help, guidance, direction and emotional support primarily from family members, or the priest or minister in their community, and later the list expanded to include medical doctors.

However, in our busy technological world many this role has become increasingly professionalized hence the explosion in all the different kinds of counsellors with all manner of different orientations.

The bottom line though is that human beings appear to need to speak in depth to others about their deepest concerns and struggles. We need to talk in depth with someone whom we can trust, has some wisdom and who will preserve our confidentiality.  The subjects I find people want to talk about include relationships, loneliness, sadness, grief, fear, confusion, life transitions, before marriage, during marriage, when marriages breakdown, and the list goes on. In short, there are times during our lives when we need someone trustworthy to talk to.

The counselling I do as a psychologist is absolutely confidential, respectful, compassionate and always practical.  In the midst of a busy and confusing life people trust me with aspects of their lives hoping to figure out what to do now about their particular problem.  Usually the process is less than 10 weeks, and people recover their sense of direction and confidence in a surprisingly short time.  Occasionally the problems are more complex and the period of time required is longer.

I think the decision to seek counselling is a sign of strength, not of weakness.  It is a courageous woman who decides that she is not coping with something, and seeks professional help to walk with her for the next few weeks or months.  It is a brave man who decides that he just doesn't know what to do in a particular situation, and then chooses to talk with a psychologist or counsellor.

I am a psychologist who specializes in generalist counselling - I work with people who are depressed, sad, lonely, angry, lost, indecisive, frustrated, facing a major decision, have lost a job, lost a child or spouse ... and the list goes on.  I do not counsel children, or people with serious mental health issues such as schizophrenia (which requires someone who specializes in that area).  Because of my background as an Anglican minister I am often of particular help to people who are wrestling with faith issues, or who want to know how their faith applies to a certain issue in their lives.

People who are privately health insured can usually claim a significant amount back from their health funds for counselling.  People can also get Medicare assistance if they are referred by their GP under the new 'Better Outcomes in Mental Health' plan.  There are also concessions for Health Care card holders.

Please contact me by email or with a phone call if you think I can be of service to you.

Blessings

David