Consent Preferences
top of page

What are some

Frequently Asked Questions?

  • What’s the difference between psychotherapy and counselling?
    While the terms are often used interchangeably, psychotherapy generally involves deeper exploration of long-standing emotional issues, often rooted in early life or trauma. Counselling tends to focus on present-day challenges and solutions. Both aim to support your growth and well-being—our work may draw from both depending on your needs.
  • How do I know if therapy is right for me?
    If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, grieving, anxious, or simply curious about yourself and your patterns, therapy can help. You don’t need to have a diagnosed condition or a major crisis—therapy is for anyone seeking clarity, healing, or growth. It’s a space where you can be fully heard without judgment, and where we work together to understand what’s going on beneath the surface. If you’re unsure, I offer space to talk through what you’re needing and whether therapy with me is the right fit.
  • What can I expect from our first session?
    The first session is about getting to know each other. You’ll have space to share what’s brought you here, and I’ll ask some gentle questions to understand your story, needs, and hopes. We draft up some goals and barriers to achieving these goals. I also learn more about you in the sociocultural, familial, and professional context. You won’t be pushed to talk about anything you’re not ready for. We’ll also go over how I work, confidentiality, and what our sessions can look like moving forward. It’s okay to bring questions or uncertainties—your comfort and safety are central to this process.
  • What’s the difference between a psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, and counsellor?
    These roles all support mental health, but they differ in training, scope, and methods: Psychotherapist: A psychotherapist is trained to work deeply with emotional and psychological issues, including trauma, grief, identity, and relationships. They may use a range of talk and body-based therapies and often work long-term to support lasting change. Psychologist: A psychologist has a university degree in psychology and is trained in assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health conditions, often using structured therapies like CBT. Some offer therapy, while others focus on assessment or research. Psychiatrist: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. They diagnose and prescribe medications for psychiatric conditions. While they understand psychological factors, they typically don’t provide ongoing talk therapy. Counsellor: Counsellors support people through challenges like stress, grief, or life transitions. Their training can vary, and while they may not diagnose conditions, they offer valuable emotional and practical support. I am both a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist, which means I can support you with practical strategies while also working at depth to explore the root causes of distress—especially where trauma, identity, culture, or grief are involved.
  • What’s your approach to clinical supervision?
    My supervision style is collaborative and reflective. I support therapists to explore their clinical work, navigate ethical dilemmas, and strengthen their cultural humility and trauma-informed skills. My approach is deeply grounded in the BPSS (biopsychosociospiritual) model. Whether you're new to the field or managing complex client presentations, I aim to offer a grounded, growth-focused space.
  • Do you provide group supervision?
    Yes. At this stage, I run group supervision on the second Wednesday of every month from 9am - 11am. If you would like to suggest an alternative time with colleagues of yours, kindly drop me a line and we will try to make it work ☺️
  • Can I count supervision with you toward my professional registration?
    Yes, I am a registered supervisor with the ACA College of Supervisors. If you’re working toward or maintaining registration, our supervision sessions can be counted as part of your required hours—depending on your association’s guidelines. I’m happy to provide documentation or discuss your specific needs to ensure alignment with your professional requirements.
  • What is trauma and how might it show up in daily life?
    Trauma isn't just what happens to you—it's also how your mind and body respond to overwhelm. It can show up as anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional numbing, difficulties in relationships, or even physical symptoms. Sometimes people don't realise that what they're struggling with is trauma until they start unpacking it in a safe space.
  • How is grief connected to trauma?
    Grief and trauma often accompany each other, especially when a loss is sudden, violent, or unresolved. While grief is a natural response to losing someone or something meaningful, trauma adds a layer of shock, fear, or fragmentation that can interrupt the grieving process. You might feel stuck, numb, hypervigilant, or emotionally overwhelmed. In some cases, grief itself can be traumatic—particularly if you've experienced multiple losses, weren't supported, or the loss challenged your sense of safety or identity. In therapy, we can gently explore both your grief and any trauma that may be intertwined with it, at a pace that feels right for you.
  • What is intergenerational trauma?
    Intergenerational trauma refers to the emotional and psychological effects of trauma that are passed down from one generation to the next. This might occur in families who have experienced war, colonisation, forced migration, abuse, or systemic oppression. Even if the original event didn’t happen to you personally, its impact can show up in your relationships, emotional patterns, or sense of identity. Healing intergenerational trauma involves recognising these patterns and creating space for new ways of relating, coping, and being.
  • Why is a culturally responsive approach important in therapy?
    Culture shapes how we express pain, seek help, and define healing. A culturally responsive approach honours your identity and experiences, especially if you come from a community where trauma may be collective, intergenerational, or silenced. It also means your therapist actively works to understand your worldview and avoids assumptions.
  • Do you work with people from mixed or multicultural backgrounds?
    Yes—this is a core part of my work and my area of specialisation. I support individuals from mixed, bicultural, multicultural, and transcultural backgrounds, including third culture kids (TCKs) and those navigating between individualistic and collectivistic value systems. Living between cultures can bring richness, but it can also lead to identity confusion, family conflict, or feeling like you don’t fully belong anywhere. I create a space where these complexities are understood and respected, and where we can explore how culture, migration, and intergenerational experiences have shaped your inner world and relationships.
  • What challenges might multicultural individuals face in therapy?
    Multicultural individuals often carry the weight of navigating two (or more) cultural identities, which can create inner conflict, pressure to meet different expectations, or a feeling of not fully belonging anywhere. In therapy, these experiences can sometimes be misunderstood or overlooked if the therapist lacks cultural awareness. That’s why it’s important to work with someone who can hold space for both your cultural complexities and your individual story—without trying to simplify or pathologise your experience.
  • How do you incorporate clients' cultural values and beliefs into the therapeutic process?
    I see culture not as a backdrop, but as central to how we think, feel, relate, and heal. This isn’t just a clinical perspective—it’s grounded in both my lived experience of navigating multiple cultural spaces and my research in multicultural and transcultural identity. From the very first session, I invite clients to bring in what truly matters to them—whether that’s family roles, spiritual beliefs, community values, migration stories, or language. I don’t apply a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, I work collaboratively and respectfully to honour your cultural worldview and integrate it into therapy in a way that feels authentic. This approach makes therapy more relevant, safe, and empowering—especially for those whose identities are layered and complex.
  • What is the significance of addressing second-generation experiences in therapy?
    Second-generation individuals often grow up balancing their family's cultural heritage with the values of the society they live in. This can create a unique set of challenges: loyalty conflicts, identity struggles, communication gaps, and emotional silences around past traumas. Therapy offers a space to unpack these layers—to honour your roots while also making sense of your own voice and needs. Addressing second-generation experiences means recognising the nuanced ways culture, family, and unspoken expectations shape your inner world.
  • What are your session fees?
    Individual - $180 + GST Supervision - $180 + GST Group Supervision - $90pp + GST NDIS - NDIS rates according to the NDIS price guide Here is a link to all the information you will need. I also offer packages of 6 or 10 sessions, with 6% to 10% discount respectively.
  • Do you offer packages?
    Yes. You have 2 options. Package 1: Foundation Package 6 sessions 6% discount + incl. GST = AU$1122 (instead of AU$1188) Package 2: Integration and Growth Package 10 sessions 10% discount + incl. GST = AU$1782 (instead of AU$1980) I'd also love to offer The Culturally Informed Trauma Workbook for free (valued at $59) with this package. The psychoeducation components can be beneficial, along with some of the quizzes, and cultural/trauma exploration. You can refer to this link for more information: The Culturally Informed Trauma Workbook | A Road To Recovery
  • Can I use my private health insurance for sessions?
    Most private health funds may provide rebates for psychotherapy, depending on your level of extras cover and your provider. I recommend checking directly with your insurer to confirm your eligibility.
  • Do you accept Mental Health Care Plans (MHCPs) from GPs?
    At this time, I do not bulk bill or offer Medicare rebates under the Mental Health Care Plan. However, many clients choose to attend privately or use other funding sources like NDIS, DV Assist, Victim Support or private health insurance. If cost is a barrier, please reach out to discuss options as I do also work on a sliding scale basis for people with financial limitations.
  • Should I use a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) or see a therapist privately?
    A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP allows you to access Medicare rebates for a limited number of sessions (usually 6–10 per calendar year) with a registered psychologist, clinical social worker, or mental health occupational therapist. This can be helpful for short-term support, especially for common concerns like anxiety or depression. However, some people choose not to go through a MHCP for several reasons: Confidentiality: When you use a MHCP, session details and mental health diagnoses are recorded in your MyGov health record, and shared with Medicare. While this is standard, some prefer greater privacy and control over their personal health data. Limited scope and structure: Many MHCP-funded services follow structured, manualised treatments like CBT or DBT. While these approaches are helpful for many, they may not suit everyone—especially those seeking more holistic, trauma-informed, or culturally sensitive care. Flexibility and continuity: MHCPs typically cover a limited number of sessions, which can feel restrictive for people working through complex, ongoing, or developmental challenges. Seeing a counsellor or psychotherapist privately allows for more flexibility in the length and style of therapy. As a psychotherapist and counsellor, I offer an eclectic, client-centred approach that draws from a wide range of modalities, including somatic, relational, and culturally attuned practices. This allows us to work at your pace and depth, without external limitations.
  • Do you work with NDIS participants?
    Yes, I am a registered NDIS provider passionate about supporting participants with trauma-informed, person-centered therapy. I work with self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants. Therapy can support emotional regulation, trauma recovery, and functional mental health goals. If you’re unsure whether therapy can be included in your plan, I’m happy to assist you or your support coordinator. Trauma-Informed Approach Many NDIS participants have experienced trauma throughout their lives, which can significantly impact their wellbeing and daily functioning. I provide trauma-informed care that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma while creating pathways to healing in a safe, collaborative environment. My approach acknowledges that trauma responses are natural adaptations to difficult experiences rather than pathologies. Extensive Experience I bring both professional expertise and lived experience to my practice: Professional Experience: Since 2009, I have specialized in working with neurodivergence, mental illness, and disability across various settings. This experience has given me deep insights into the unique challenges and strengths that come with different neurotypes and conditions. Lived Experience: My personal journey with neurodivergence and disability began in childhood, providing me with authentic understanding that complements my professional training. This dual perspective allows me to connect with clients on a meaningful level while maintaining professional boundaries. My services focus on building capacity and improving daily living through evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to your individual needs. I understand NDIS processes and can work collaboratively with your support coordinator and other providers to ensure a holistic approach to your wellbeing. During our initial consultation, we'll discuss how your NDIS plan can fund our work together and develop goals that align with your NDIS plan objectives while honoring your unique journey and aspirations.
  • What’s the difference between self-managed, plan-managed, and NDIA-managed NDIS funding?
    Self-managed: You handle your own invoices and payments—you can book with any therapist, including me. Plan-managed: A third party manages your funding and pays providers—you can still see me if your plan manager approves. NDIA-managed: You can only see providers registered with the NDIS—I am currently NDIA-registered.
  • Do you work with US and international clients?
    For US Clients Insurance Coverage: I provide all necessary documentation for out-of-network insurance claims. Many US health insurance plans offer partial reimbursement for mental health services with qualified providers. After payment, you'll receive detailed receipts with appropriate CPT codes and clinical information needed for your insurance submission. Therapy Packages: US clients often benefit from our discounted therapy packages: Package 1: Foundation Package 6 sessions 6% discount + incl. GST = AU$1122 (instead of AU$1188) Package 2: Integration and Growth Package 10 sessions 10% discount + incl. GST = AU$1782 (instead of AU$1980) I'd also love to offer The Culturally Informed Trauma Workbook for free (valued at $59). The psychoeducation components can be beneficial, along with some of the quizzes, and cultural/trauma exploration. You can refer to this link for more information: The Culturally Informed Trauma Workbook | A Road To Recovery. These packages provide continuity of care while potentially reducing out-of-pocket costs after insurance reimbursement. Many clients find their insurance reimburses 60-80% of out-of-network mental health services, depending on their specific plan. HSA/FSA Compatibility: Payments for therapy services are typically eligible for Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds. *Please check with insurance provider as this is subject to individuals' arrangements. For All International Clients Session Times: I offer flexible scheduling to accommodate different time zones, including early morning and evening appointments (Australian time). We'll find a time that works for both of us, regardless of where you're located. Payment Options: I accept international credit/debit cards and PayPal for convenient cross-border payments. All fees are listed in Australian Dollars (AUD), but payment processors typically handle currency conversion automatically. Cultural Sensitivity: I approach each therapeutic relationship with cultural humility and an openness to understanding your unique cultural context. Please feel free to share any culturally-specific considerations that would help me better support you. Therapy Packages: Available to everyone, in Australia and abroad. Technical Requirements: You'll need a reliable internet connection, a private space, and a device with a camera and microphone. I use a secure, telehealth platform that works on most devices. Many international clients find that telehealth therapy provides a valuable opportunity to access specialized support that might not be available locally, particularly for neurodivergence, trauma, and disability.

Collaborated With & Presented For

Working with these organizations has been a privilege.

Grief and Bereavement Centre Conference Singapore Hospice
ACA logo_edited.png
Logo of Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre
Logo of Centre of Muslim Wellbeing Australia
Logo of The University of Queensland
Logo of Imam Connect
Muslim Mental Health Conference Sydney
ICV.png
Logo of Griffith University
Mission of Hope Organisation Australia

I respectfully acknowledge the Kabi Kabi, Jinibara and Turrbal Traditional Custodians, of the land on which I work.

I acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded, and this always was, and always will be Aboriginal land. 

© 2025 by Road To Recovery

  • I Heart NDIS_2020
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
bottom of page