FAQs

You do not need a referral to visit one of our counsellors, simply email us at info@harmoniousminds.com.au, click the book now button at the bottom of the page.

Our opening hours are as follows: 

Monday – 9:00am – 2:30pm / 3:00pm – 7:00pm 

Tuesday – 9:00am – 2:30pm

Wednesday – 3:30pm – 7:30pm

Thursday – 9:00am – 2:30pm

Friday – CLOSED

Saturday – 9:00am – 11:00am

Sunday – CLOSED

You do not need a referral, simply book online, or email us at info@harmoniousminds.com.au.

We do not provide a bulk billing service. However, we do provide some reduced fee services for Pension and HealthCare Card holders. We try to keep the fee for these concession card holders to the gap between industry standard hourly rate and the Medicare rebate for mental health plans.

In short, no. Currently counselling services from clinical counsellors are not Medicare rebateable. However, some private healthcare providers offer a rebate under their ‘extras’ cover.

We do offer a reduced fee for service to anyone who has a Pension or Healthcare Card.

Harmonious Minds clients who hold BUPA, Medibank, AHM, ARHG, and Doctors Health Fund Extras policies may be eligible for rebates depending on your level of cover.

Both initial and subsequent sessions will be 55 minutes in duration. If you would like a longer session (85minutes), this can be arranged ahead of time.  

In some ways, the functions of counsellors and psychologists are very similar. However, Psychologists are more likely to work with individuals with serious mental illness such as Schizophrenia, Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar Disorder. They are trained to perform psychotherapy with a range of clients, but in many settings, general therapy roles will go primarily to counsellors and other master’s level mental health practitioners.

Clinical Counsellors focus on client’s concerns and difficulties which includes understanding people’s patterns of thoughts, behaviours, feelings and the ways in which these may be problematic in their lives. Counselling involves assisting people to develop an understanding about themselves and to make changes in their lives.

To practice as a Clinical Counsellor in Australia, the therapist must be degree qualified, be a member of a professional counselling association (ACA), commit to yearly professional development, clinical supervision, and maintain a professional client base.

As clinical counsellors we are unable to prescribe medications or perform formal diagnostic assessments.

We do not provide psychological reports for GPs or other practitioners

Yes, you can still see a counsellor if you are seeing psychologist or psychiatrist. Counselling can be a great way to compliment your existing treatment, as the focus of your sessions may be different to the therapy you are already receiving.

At our first meeting you should keep these questions in mind:

• How easy is it to talk to her?
• Does she seem like somebody I could trust?
• Is she listening to me and my needs?
• Does she seem to know what she is doing?
• Does she seem confident and competent?
• Do I feel comfortable with her?
• Could I ever show this person the deepest, ugliest parts of myself?
• Is there mutual respect between us?

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please give us at least 36 hours notice by email to info@harmoniousminds.com.au so that we have time to contact clients on our waitlist.

We send an email reminder 3 days before, and a text reminder at 9:00 am the day before so that adequate time is given for you to let us know of any changes.

If you cancel less than 24 hours before your appointment, a late cancellation fee of $80 will be charged. Where 24 hours notice is not given on more than one occasion, the entire fee will be charged.