Areas of interest & specialty

Samantha is an accredited Social Worker with the AASW and approved Victim Services counsellor. She provides counselling to adults who have experienced complex trauma, mental health concerns, domestic and family violence, sexual violence and/or childhood abuse and neglect.

Samantha utilizes a range of modalities in her therapeutic approach including; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, solution focused therapies, grief and loss and trauma-informed frameworks. She believes that incorporating a trauma-informed lens into her client work allows people to place the challenges they are facing in their appropriate context rather than forming unhelpful beliefs about themselves and their world.

These are the areas Samantha specialises in:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Post-Traumatic Stress/Complex-PTSD

  • Grief and Loss

  • Interpersonal therapy and skill-building

  • Self-esteem

  • Navigating life-transitions and change

  • Domestic and Family Violence Counselling

FAQs

  • Generally, it’s recommended that sessions occur on a weekly or fortnightly basis to create some consistency in the therapeutic work.

  • Sessions are usually 50 minutes.

  • This is different for every individual as people seek counselling for different attend counselling for as long as you are feeling the benefit of the therapy being offered.

  • While there may be times where you may need to cancel an appointment short notice, things happen and cannot be predicted, we ask that any cancellations be done more than 48 hours of the appointment time either via email or phone call. If a cancellation is made within 24 hours of the appointment a 50% cancellation admin fee will be applied.

  • Clients are invited to contact Samantha directly and we will have an initial intake conversation prior to booking our first sessions. After this call, you will be sent across some important paperwork including with an intake and consent to service form and information relating to privacy and confidentiality, record-keeping, cancellation policy and fees.

    During our first session, we will spend some time discussing what has brought you to counselling and gather some historical information that may help provide context to the challenging situation. Samantha will be able to offer some reflections about what may be helpful to explore further in the counselling process and we can collaborate on what your goals and needs are from future sessions.

    Deciding to seek support for your mental health is a big decision for many and it can feel vulnerable and overwhelming at times. One of the hardest parts about seeking help, particularly if it is the first time, is finding a therapist that works for you and it’s our hope in these first sessions to create a safe environment where you feel comfortable to share your story without feeling distressed or unsafe.

  • No you do not need a doctor’s referral to access counselling.

  • Unfortunately this is not something that can be offered at this time however clients will be updated if and when this changes.

  • Victim Services is a government agency that offers support to people who have been Victims of Crime with NSW. You may be eligible to access free counselling through this scheme depending on the nature of the crime. To learn more visit the Victims Services website here.

  • The decision to discontinue with therapy or with a certain therapist is a normal occurrence and you are within your rights to end a therapeutic relationship if you feel it’s no longer serving you.

    If you do decide to discontinue with counselling after commencing the process that you let us know in writing.

    Where appropriate, Samantha will b able to provide further recommendations for support and referral should that be needed for the future.

  • For a 50 minute session, appointments will be $190. Payment can be made via direct debit or credit card and this can be arranged at the time of our first appointment.