FAQ's

How Can Counselling Help?

We all experience challenges at times in our lives – family tensions, work or relationship problems, loss, confusion, or simply feeling stuck. If this strikes a chord, you could benefit from talking with a professional counsellor.

Thrive offers a safe and confidential space in which to explore what is happening for you. It can be helpful to talk with someone who is not a family member or friend. Your counsellor can provide neutral, non-judgemental support and evidence-based strategies to help you understand your concerns, feel heard, and find a clearer way forward.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

The number of sessions you need will depend on your individual circumstances. Counselling can be most effective when it is regular and consistent, particularly when you first begin. Sessions may occur weekly or fortnightly to start with, then decrease in frequency as you work through your concerns; however, this is flexible. You and your counsellor will review your needs and decide together what will work best for you.

What Should I Expect in the First Session?

It is normal to feel nervous, worried, emotional, hopeful, or even excited about your first appointment.

The first session is an opportunity to tell your story and have someone present with you to hear and hold space for your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Carly or Sharon will meet you at your pace, so you will not be forced or hurried into talking about anything you are not comfortable discussing.

The appointment is also a chance to get to know your counsellor, ask questions about the counselling process and how your counsellor can best support you, and decide whether the fit feels right for you.

Do You Offer Video or Telephone Counselling?

Yes. Thrive offers telehealth counselling Australia-wide. Sharon offers individual adult counselling by telehealth; contact us to check the best option for other services.

Can I Contact My Counsellor After Hours?

We are unavailable after opening hours. Thrive Counselling Solutions is not an emergency service. If you require immediate support, please contact emergency services or an after-hours counselling service such as:

Police, Fire or Ambulance – 000
Mental Health Triage (SA) – 13 14 65
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 (for young people up to the age of 25)
MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78

Is My Information Private and Confidential?

Everything you share within your counselling sessions, from the moment you make first contact, is confidential. No one outside the practice can confirm whether you are attending Thrive Counselling Solutions unless you provide written consent for us to share this information with a specific person.

The exception is if your counsellor becomes concerned about your safety or someone else's safety and needs to take steps to meet their duty of care. Wherever possible and appropriate, these steps will be discussed with you before action is taken.

Your counsellor will make provisions for maintaining confidentiality in the collection, recording, access, storage, sharing, and disposal of information, and will take reasonable steps to protect your information if they leave Thrive or cease providing counselling.