Frequently Asked Questions

This will depend on your appointment day/ time flexibility. Most clients are offered their first appointment within 2-4 weeks. If you need an urgent appointment, are in crisis or at risk, please let me know when making contact and I’ll do my best to book a priority appointment for you as soon as possible.

Not at all. You can choose to self-refer and see me as a Private Client, or you can choose to get a referral from your GP or Psychiatrist.

If you are referred by your GP with a Mental Healthcare Plan you may be able to claim a Medicare Rebate for up to 20 Sessions per calendar year. Please be aware that there is an out of pocket expense (a gap fee) for counselling sessions as the Medicare rebate does not pay for the full session costs. Please see the Pricing and Rebates page for fees and rebates information, which can be found here.

Sessions last approximately 55 minutes and then a further 5 minutes to book the next appointment and settle session fees.

The first session is an assessment session where we get to know each other, and you can ask any questions about the counselling process. It’s our first opportunity to start exploring any issues and concerns you may have. We can also identify the key issues and areas that we can work on together, explore your personal resources and wider supports, and then start to agree on some therapeutic goals and the steps we can take together towards your desired changes and outcomes.

How many sessions you’ll need depends on a range of factors. Generally, after one or two sessions we will have a better understanding of the key issues you want help with and what the timeframe on progress will likely be. I have clients that feel an issue has been resolved after a few sessions and other clients that have benefited from 20 or more sessions. Clients can choose to end counselling after one issue is resolved or if counselling continues to be helpful continue exploring and working towards changes in other life areas. Some clients choose to have regular appointments over many years to maintain wellbeing and good mental health as their life circumstances change. We’ll decide on the number of sessions together based on your needs, therapeutic progress, and the continuing benefits of your counselling support.    

Counselling involves helping you to clarify the issues concerning you, explore your options and choices, develop helpful and effective strategies, whilst also increasing self-awareness, personal resilience, and problem-solving skills. For some people, just the process of talking about their experiences and worries, and being listened to, can be very helpful. And remember, no issue is too big or too small to ask for help and support.

I choose the psychological techniques and strategies that research, and experience, have shown to be most effective for each client and their unique issues.

These techniques may include a mix of ACT – Acceptance & Commitment Therapy; MCBT – Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy; CBT – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy; IPT – Interpersonal Therapy; REBT – Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy; Narrative Therapy; Solution Focused/Brief Therapy; Humanistic/ Rogerian Therapy; Self-Psychology; Family Systems Therapy. If there is a particular counselling model or therapeutic approach you are interested in or have found to be helpful previously, please let me know.

48 hours notice is requested for appointment changes and cancellations. All clients are sent an appointment reminder text to their mobile phone 72 hours before each scheduled appointment.

More than 48 hours notice: No Fee.
Less than 48 hours notice 50% Session Fee.
Less than 24 hours Notice 100% Session Fee.

However, if I am able to fill the appointment from the existing waitlist then no fee penalty will apply.

If you are concerned about someone’s immediate safety please call “000” (triple zero). If you are worried about someone having an acute mental health episode then please call the Mental Health Access Line on 1800 011 511. 

However, if you are worried about someone’s mental health or coping and there is no immediate risk or emergency then encouraging them to see their GP is often a helpful first step in accessing appropriate support. If you feel that someone you care about might benefit from my psychological support and counselling but you are unsure how to take the steps or encourage them to access support then please contact me on 0400 884 920 to discuss support options for them.

A Psychologist is a professional trained in the science of how people think, feel, behave, and learn.

In Australia, Psychology is a regulated profession. This means that practitioners who call themselves a Psychologist, or say they are practicing as a Psychologist, must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Registered Psychologists are required to have a minimum of six years of university training and supervised experience, and to engage in ongoing professional development and training to keep their skills and knowledge up to date.

They must also adhere to certain strict professional and ethical standards in order to maintain their Psychologists registration.

All Psychologists are legally required to be registered in Australia, which means Dorian is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Dorian is also a full member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), and The Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi), the two largest professional peak bodies for Psychologists in Australia.

These safeguards mean that Dorian is professionally trained and ensures that you receive a high quality, and ethical Psychological service.

For further information about your Client Rights please see the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Charter for clients of APS psychologists.

To obtain a Mental Healthcare Plan, ask your GP or Psychiatrist to make the Mental Healthcare Plan out to:

Dorian Richards Consultant Psychologist,
Suite 236/ 117 Old Pittwater Road Brookvale NSW 2100
Medicare Provider Number: 5042532T