I listen to my clients in a way that encourages exploration, to become more self aware so that you can walk a healthier, happier path, through getting to know yourself better.

I use a person-centred approach, which means that I am guided  by you as the client, and what you would like to bring to therapy.  I strongly believe in building a trusting relationship with you where you feel comfortable, supported, and accepted, so that you can build the life you want.  There are many tools I use to help you gain perspective and I’m guided by what works best for you.  I believe that with counselling support you can fully realise your capabilities and create your own potential and opportunities.  Some of the modalities and techniques that I draw from are:

• Person Centred counselling
• Mindfulness techniques
• Self Compassion focused therapy
• Trauma Informed
• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).

A good therapist/client relationship is one where you as the client feel that you are safe.  A feeling of safety is imperative if you are going to be able to achieve your goals in therapy because you must believe, that no matter what you bring to the counselling session, your therapist is going to be non-judgemental, caring and actively listening, to gain a deep understanding of you and your needs.  That does not mean however, that you won’t find the relationship at times difficult or anxiety provoking, as with change, come challenges.  But as long as you know your therapist is there to meet your needs first and foremost, then you will feel supported through these challenges.

Professional practitioners have an ethical and professional responsibility to monitor the risks to their clients and others.  This means that if the therapist believes that their client is at risk of harming themselves or others, they must report it to the relevant authorities.

Counselling is a confidential process that involves sharing sensitive, personal and private information that may at times be distressing.  Everything we discuss in our sessions together is confidential except:

1. for the purposes of supervision*
2. where, in my opinion, you may be at risk of harm to yourself, or to others.

*As a therapist I participate in supervision sessions that allow me to gain support and guidance in my work and to check that I am working ethically and competently.  When I discuss the work that I am doing with you, I will not refer to you by name or any other distinguishing features, in order to keep your identity anonymous.

There are many benefits to counselling; some are listed below:

• learn skills that help you manage and work with anxiety
• increase resilience to stress by fostering emotional strength and flexibility
• promote emotional regulation
• promote better communication and social engagement
• strengthen relationships
• present new opportunities and potential.

Fees vary depending on the client and length of the relationship.  Whilst there are standardised fees, the therapist may negotiate a fee with the client based on what they are able to pay.  As a guide, the fee for a 50 minute session is at time of publishing $120 including GST for individuals and $90 for students/travellers.

Appointments can be booked over the phone, via email, or through social media channels.  It is important to leave a message if Jacinta doesn’t answer as she may be with a client.

Payment is made at the end of each session.

It is part of Bondi Mind’s policy that cancellations are made at least 24 hours prior to the appointment in order to make the appointment available to another client.  Of course, exceptional circumstances are taken into account.

If you’re having difficulty deciding whether to see a counsellor or psychologist, hopefully this can make it a bit easier for you.

A psychologist tends to specialise in a key area such as sports psychology, organisational psychology, mental disorders etc.  For example they may treat certain disorders such as ADHD,  mood disorders, personality disorders or they may be engaged as school counsellors or to motivate people in business and elite sport.  If you have been given a mental health plan by your GP then they will have referred you to a psychologist who specialises in a relevant area that meets your needs.  If you have a mental health plan you will get a rebate back on Medicare, however the cost of a psychologist is commonly twice as much as a counsellor.

A counsellor is generally someone who has been trained in ‘talk therapy’.  The counselling profession is not regulated in the same way psychology is.  However there are professional bodies such as the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).  So if you are looking for a fully qualified counsellor then it is a good idea to check that they are registered with one of the above associations.

A counsellor will essentially be trained to listen and help with any broad presenting issues.  They tend to listen in a deep way that can help you make decisions to lead the life you want.  They may also have specialist postgraduate training in particular areas such as depression, anxiety, different therapy modalities, and some are more interested in a long term approach with clients commonly referred to in Australia as psychotherapy (although anyone can call themselves a psychotherapist).

A counsellor is not registered with Medicare, and therefore cannot offer rebates or bulk billing like a Psychologist can.  However, generally a counsellor may charge anywhere between $80 and $150 per session, whereas a psychologist will charge a lot more.