Frequently
Asked Questions

About Gestalt Therapy

• What is Gestalt therapy?

  Gestalt therapy is a present-focused, relational style of psychotherapy developed by Fritz and Laura Perls in the mid-twentieth century. The word "Gestalt" is German for "whole" or "shape" and reflects the approach's central belief: that understanding any experience requires seeing it as a whole, in context, not as isolated parts.

  Rather than analysing your past from a distance, Gestalt therapy involves working together in the moment, noticing what is actually happening in your body, emotions and relationships as it arises right now. It is experiential rather than theoretical. The work happens between us, in real time, not just in your thoughts about your life.

  The relational dimension is central. What happens between you and your therapist in the room is considered important data about how you relate to others in your life. This is not something most therapies pay explicit attention to.

  The aim is to develop fresh awareness of your patterns, to come into fuller contact with who you are and what you actually feel, and to find the freedom to make genuinely different choices. Many people experience it as both grounding and energising. Learn more on the Gestalt Therapy page or read the in-depth guide on the blog.

• How is Gestalt therapy different from CBT or talk therapy?

  CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is structured, short-term and focused primarily on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns. It tends to be more technique-driven and goal-focused.

  Gestalt therapy is more relational, exploratory and experiential. Rather than applying a set of techniques, we explore what is happening in your body and in the space between us right now. It works with your whole experience, not just your thoughts. This often means that insights are felt and embodied rather than just understood intellectually, which can lead to more lasting change.

  "Talk therapy" is a broad term that covers many different approaches. What distinguishes Gestalt is its focus on the present moment, the therapeutic relationship itself, and the body's role in emotional experience. It is less structured and more open-ended than CBT, which suits people who want to explore rather than follow a protocol.

  If you have tried CBT and found it helpful but incomplete, Gestalt may offer something deeper. If you are new to therapy and unsure which approach is right for you, the best way to find out is often to try a first session and see how it feels. The relationship with your therapist matters more than the modality in most cases.

• What is somatic or body-focused therapy?

  Somatic therapy pays attention to what is happening in your body during a session. This includes sensations, tension, breath, posture, movement and physical responses to what you are talking about. The body holds a great deal of information about our emotional experience that the thinking mind often cannot access directly.

  In a Gestalt session, I might invite you to notice where in your body you are holding something, to stay with a sensation rather than moving past it, or to explore what a physical response might be expressing. This is not massage or bodywork. It is simply bringing the body into the conversation.

  My approach draws on Somatic Experiencing, developed by Peter Levine, and Polyvagal Theory, developed by Stephen Porges. These frameworks help explain how the nervous system responds to stress, threat and safety, and how unprocessed experiences can become held in the body in ways that affect our daily lives long after the original experience has passed.

  Somatic work is especially valuable for people who have tried talk therapy and found it helpful but incomplete, or who notice their body responding to things their mind cannot explain. It is not about being athletic or physically able. It is simply about bringing the body back into the conversation. Read more on the somatic therapy page.

Sessions & Format

• What happens in a session?

  Sessions are 50 minutes, individual and one-to-one. There is no fixed agenda. We begin by checking in: how you are, what is on your mind, what feels most alive for you today. From there, we follow what arises.

  This might involve exploring a specific situation, noticing a recurring pattern, tracking a feeling in your body, or simply staying with something that is hard to name. The session is led by you. I am there to notice with you, to ask curious questions, and to help you see what you might not be able to see on your own.

  Your first session is a conversation. We discuss what has brought you here, what you are hoping for from therapy, and whether working together feels like the right fit. There is no obligation to continue after that first meeting.

• How many sessions will I need?

  This varies considerably from person to person. Some people find significant relief and clarity in a handful of sessions; others benefit from longer-term work over months or years. The number of sessions is shaped by what you bring, your goals, your pace and how therapy unfolds.

  You are never locked in. We review how things are going regularly and adjust accordingly. Many people begin with weekly sessions to build continuity and momentum, then move to fortnightly as things settle. There is no pressure to continue beyond what feels useful to you.

  Some people come for a specific issue they want to work through and find six to twelve sessions sufficient. Others find that having a consistent space to reflect and grow is something they want to maintain over a longer period. Both are valid. The number of sessions is always something we determine together.

• Do you offer online sessions?

  Yes. Online sessions are available on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings and Saturday mornings, via a secure, encrypted video platform. You will receive the link by email before your session.

  Online therapy is as effective as in-person for most presentations. It suits people who live outside Sydney, prefer to attend from home, have physical accessibility needs, or simply find evenings more convenient. All you need is a private space, a reliable internet connection and a device with a camera and microphone.

  Online sessions are available to clients anywhere in Australia. Learn more on the online therapy page.

• What if I need to cancel?

  I ask for at least 48 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a session. This allows me to offer the time to another client who may need it. Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice may be charged a cancellation fee.

  I understand that life is unpredictable. If something unexpected arises, for example a sudden illness or a family emergency, please contact me as soon as possible and we can discuss the situation. I try to be flexible where I reasonably can, and I appreciate the same flexibility in return.

  Repeated last-minute cancellations without sufficient notice may affect our ability to continue working together. A consistent appointment time tends to support better outcomes, and reliability on both sides helps build the trust that good therapeutic work requires.

Costs & Medicare

• Do you offer Medicare rebates?

  No. I am not a psychologist and cannot offer Medicare rebates or accept Mental Health Care Plans (MHCPs). This means you do not need a GP referral to see me, and there is no limit on the number of sessions you can attend.

  If cost is a concern, please do reach out directly. I am committed to making therapy accessible where possible and am happy to have an honest conversation about options. The absence of a Medicare rebate should not be a barrier to getting support.

• Can I claim on private health insurance?

  This depends on your specific policy and health fund. Some private health insurers do provide rebates for psychotherapy or counselling with a PACFA Certified Practicing Member. Check directly with your insurer and mention that I hold PACFA Certified Practicing Membership #29367.

  I can provide itemised receipts for all sessions, which you can submit to your insurer. I recommend confirming coverage with your fund before your first session, as policies vary considerably and the rebate amount, if any, will depend on your level of cover and the specific item number your fund uses to categorise psychotherapy or counselling.

  If you need documentation of my qualifications or membership for an insurance claim, I am happy to provide this. Please just ask when booking or at any point during our work together.

• What are your fees?

  Please contact me directly for current fee information. I keep fees in line with the range for qualified therapists in private practice in Sydney, and I review them periodically. Payment is accepted by bank transfer or card. I ask that fees are paid at the time of the session or in advance.

  If cost is a genuine barrier, please reach out and we can have an honest conversation about what might be possible. I take accessibility seriously and do not want fees to be the reason someone does not get the support they need. I would rather have a direct conversation about it than have someone not reach out at all.

Logistics

• Do I need a GP referral?

  No. You do not need a GP referral, a Mental Health Care Plan or any other documentation to book a session. Simply contact me directly and we can arrange an appointment. There is no intake process or waitlist to navigate.

• What does PACFA certified mean?

  PACFA is the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, the peak professional body for therapists in this country. Certified Practicing Membership (the highest level of PACFA membership) requires completing an accredited training program, ongoing clinical supervision, regular professional development and adherence to a comprehensive code of ethics.

  It means you can trust that I am qualified, clinically supervised, professionally insured and committed to ongoing professional development. It also means I am held to a clear code of ethics and have a formal complaints process available to clients if they ever need it.

  My membership number is #29367, which you can verify directly on the PACFA website at pacfa.org.au. PACFA membership is renewable annually and requires evidence of ongoing supervision and professional development hours each year.

• Who do you work with? And who do you not work with?

  I work with adults (18 and over) on a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, stress and burnout, grief and loss, birth trauma and perinatal mental health, gender identity and transition, LGBTQ+ support, relationship and interpersonal difficulties, self-esteem and body image, personal growth, and complex family dynamics. You can see the full list on the services page.

  I do not currently work with children, adolescents, or couples. I work only with individual adults. I do not work with people who are actively experiencing psychosis or who require a level of clinical support beyond what a private practice can provide. I do not provide crisis support, and am not able to support people who require immediate crisis intervention or who are at risk of harm to themselves or others. If you are in crisis, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or present to your nearest emergency department.

  If you are unsure whether I am the right fit for what you are experiencing, please reach out via the contact form. I am happy to have a brief conversation to help you figure out whether my practice is the right place for you, and to point you in a helpful direction if it is not.

Identity & Inclusion

• Is this therapy LGBTQ+ affirming?

  Yes, deeply and personally. I am a proud queer woman and member of the LGBTQ+ community. My practice is affirming of all gender identities and sexual orientations. You will not need to explain your identity, manage my discomfort or spend session time educating me.

  I have personal experience of what it means to navigate the world as a queer person and to look for a therapist you can trust to hold your full identity without question. That search can be exhausting, and I take seriously the responsibility of being that person for my clients.

  I have professional experience supporting queer, trans and gender-diverse clients through a wide range of presentations, including gender exploration and transition, the particular grief that can accompany LGBTQ+ experiences, family-of-origin dynamics, relationship concerns and mental health. I volunteer as a counsellor at ACON in Surry Hills, which continues to deepen my understanding of LGBTQ+ community contexts. It is a genuinely safe, celebratory and informed space. Learn more on the LGBTQ+ affirming therapy page.

Getting Started

• How do I know if therapy is right for me?

  You do not need to be in crisis, have a diagnosis or even be certain that therapy is the right thing to access support. If something feels stuck, heavy, unclear or just difficult to carry alone, that is often reason enough to reach out.

  Many people begin therapy because something in their life is not working the way they would like, even if they cannot quite name what it is. Others come with a very specific experience they want to explore. Others come simply because they want to understand themselves better, or because they have always wanted to try therapy and the time finally feels right. All of these are valid starting points.

  You might find therapy useful if you are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected or exhausted. You might find it useful if you are navigating a big life change, a loss, a relationship difficulty, questions about your identity, or the aftermath of something hard. You might also find it useful if everything looks fine from the outside but something does not quite feel right on the inside.

  The first session is a conversation, not a commitment. You can come along, share a little, and see how it feels. Many people find that simply reaching out is the hardest part, and that once they have taken that step, the rest feels much more manageable. If you are still unsure, you are welcome to request a free introductory call via the contact form before making an appointment.