Counselling In Como

Counselling In Como

New Clients

Making an Appointment

To make an enquiry or book an appointment, please reach out via text or email.

You do not need a referral, however, a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) can help with the cost of sessions. A MHCP plan allows eligible people to access a rebate through Medicare for up to 10 sessions per year. You will need to book a long consult with your GP to discuss your concerns and your eligibility for a plan or a review. If you have an eating disorder, you can also discuss an Eating Disorder Plan with your GP, which may allow you to access the rebate for a greater number of sessions.

For much of the day, Gillian is unable to answer phone calls, so please leave an SMS on 0414 593 669 or send an email to gillian.iliffe@iinet.net.au, and she will call you back as soon as possible. Fridays are her administration day to respond quickly to enquiries.

If you are employed or an immediate family member of  St John Ambulance WA, Gillian is a contracted Psychologist who can provide six SJA-funded sessions per year.

What to Expect

It’s normal to feel nervous about starting counselling and to feel anxious or emotional about discussing personal topics in therapy; understanding more about the process can help with this.

Your first appointment is an opportunity to understand what has brought you to therapy by asking you questions about your current concerns, your history, previous therapies you have tried, other things that may impact your mental health and well-being, and what you hope to gain from therapy.

Sessions are approximately 50 minutes long.  Payment and administration are at the start of the session, which finishes with a discussion of future needs and appointments. It’s good to allow an hour for each session.

If you are having a telehealth session, please organise a quiet, confidential place to have your sessions, ideally with headphones for telephone or video. Zoom Professional is used, and a link is sent via email before your session. You do not need to download Zoom prior to the email. Once you click the link, it will open in your web browser.

Notes will be taken during the session, safely stored in your client file and securely locked in a filing cabinet. Psychologists are bound by strict confidentiality. This means that what you talk about in sessions is only shared if you give your consent. There are some exceptions to this, such as when there is a risk of harm to you or someone else. Information about your confidentiality is provided in your consent form prior to starting therapy and will be discussed in more detail in your first session.

Following this session will be a discussion about an evidence-based treatment approach that fits with your concerns and personal preferences.

Treatment Sessions

The number of sessions you need will depend on the type of concerns you’re experiencing. Similarly, the frequency of your sessions will vary and will also be guided by your concerns and preferences. Generally, sessions will be more frequent at the start of therapy and may become more spaced out over time.

Gillian's Fees and Rebates

A standard session runs for 50 minutes, and fees are payable at the beginning of the consultation by EFTPOS or credit card.

A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) can help with the cost of sessions. The current Medicare rebate is $137.05 per session for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.  However, you will receive up to 90% of the fee if you have reached your Medicare threshold. You can check your threshold status on the Medicare Express Plus app or through MyGov. You will receive your rebate in session if you bring a debit card and Medicare card to sessions.

Depending on your level of coverage, you may be eligible for a rebate through your private health insurer. Please check with your private health insurance provider if you intend to make a claim. It’s not possible to claim a private health rebate for a session that has been rebated through Medicare. On the day of your session, you will receive a paid invoice emailed to you to claim with your health fund.

After Hours Crisis Support

Counselling in Como is a part-time practice that provides service and support via booked appointments.

If support is required outside of appointment times, please get in touch with one of the after-hours or 24-hour support services below.

  • Life Line: 13 11 14 – 24-hour phone service
  • 24 hour/7 days a week Mental Health Emergency Response (MHERL) Metro Ph 1300 555 788 PEEL 1800 676 822 Emergency 000
  • Suicide Call Back Service: Ph: 1300 6659 467 – 24-hour service offering telephone and online counselling to people affected by suicide https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/
  • Beyond Blue: Ph: 1300 22 4636 – 24-hour service offering telephone and online counselling https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support
  • 1800 RESPECT: Ph: 1800 737 732 – 24-hour service. National sexual assault service, domestic family violence counselling service https://www.1800respect.org.au/
  • Bentley Hospital Mental Health Crisis number 8 AM to 10 PM Ph 08 9416 3544