Question 1

What is therapy, and how can it help?

Accepted Answer

Therapy is a structured space to examine your thoughts, feelings, and behaviour with clarity. People often seek therapy when they feel stuck or conflicted and want to understand themselves better so they can move forward more intentionally.

The goal is not just to feel better in the moment, but to gain insight into how you think, react, and make meaning. As clarity increases, so do emotional regulation, relationship patterns, and confidence in decision-making.

Therapy involves effort. It is normal to start with some apprehension and to occasionally leave sessions feeling mentally tired — that reflects engagement, not failure. Growth rarely feels like comfort while it’s happening.

Therapy is a disciplined process of seeing yourself more fully so you can live more deliberately.

Question 2

What should I expect in my first session?

Accepted Answer

Your first appointment is an initial assessment session. This is more than a first conversation — it is a structured opportunity for us to understand what has brought you in, what you would like to work toward, and how therapy can best support you moving forward.

We begin with brief intake and consent details so that scheduling, reminders, and invoicing can run smoothly in the background. Most of the session is then focused on understanding your situation, where you feel stuck or conflicted, and identifying the direction you would like things to move.

This session is designed to build clarity and form a plan. For some people, this assessment continues into the following session or two depending on the complexity of their circumstances and the type of work they are seeking.

You do not need to arrive with everything figured out. The purpose of this first session is to establish understanding, direction, and a clear starting point for the work ahead.

Question 3

Which services can you help me with?

Accepted Answer

You can access individual therapy, couples therapy, parenting support, anger management programs, and workplace consulting. Each service is structured and practical, with support focused on communication, behaviour change, relationships, and resilience under pressure. If you are not sure which service fits your situation, you can contact us and we can help you decide.

Question 4

Do I need a referral?

Accepted Answer

No. You can book directly without a referral. A referral is only needed if you wish to use Medicare rebates for your sessions. Many clients choose to self-refer.

Question 5

Do I need to be in crisis to come to therapy?

Accepted Answer

No. Therapy can help in crisis, but it is often more effective before things reach a breaking point. It’s easier to make changes and build new patterns when there’s some stability. Many clients come to strengthen their relationships, improve communication, understand themselves better, or prevent recurring problems — not just to put out fires.

Question 6

What if I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help?

Accepted Answer

Not all therapy works the same way. Some approaches stay at the level of coping and symptom management, while others work at the level of meaning, patterns, values, and relationships. The early sessions are about understanding how you organise your world — how you think, perceive, react, and make decisions — so the work actually has leverage. Fit matters, and we don’t take on every client. If we’re not the right fit for what you need, we’ll say so early rather than stringing you along.

Question 7

What if my partner doesn’t want to come?

Accepted Answer

This is common. Couples work is really individual work done in parallel, because it involves two perspectives, two histories, and two sets of patterns. One person can start on their own and often creates meaningful change that influences the relationship, even before both people are in the room. When and if the other partner is ready, they can join later.

Question 8

Can I come even if I’m not sure what I need yet?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many clients come in with a sense that something feels stuck, heavy, or unclear, without having the language for it. Part of the work involves making sense of what’s happening and clarifying direction. You don’t need a diagnosis, a crisis, or a polished story to start.

Question 9

How long are therapy sessions usually?

Accepted Answer

Standard sessions run for 50 minutes. If your work needs more time, you can book an extended session of 75 minutes or a double session of 100 minutes. This can be useful for couples work, parenting support, or more complex individual sessions.

Question 10

How many sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

The number of sessions varies from person to person and depends on what you are working through. Some people arrive with a very specific issue they want help resolving, while others are seeking broader clarity, perspective, or personal growth.

Therapy is usually most effective when it is consistent, particularly at the beginning. Many people start with weekly or fortnightly sessions to build momentum and understanding, and then gradually reduce the frequency as things become clearer and more manageable.
This is not something you need to decide on your own. We will guide this together based on what you feel is helpful and what we observe clinically as the work progresses.

Meaningful progress is often easier when the work is done regularly and before things reach a point of pressure or crisis, rather than trying to resolve concerns only when they feel urgent.

Question 11

How do online sessions work compared to in-person?

Accepted Answer

Online sessions work in much the same way as in-person sessions. Most clients find they can talk just as freely and engage with the work effectively. Many clients appreciate the reduced travel time and the ability to continue therapy even when travelling or working remotely.

We use Google Meets, and you don’t need any special software — just a private space and a stable internet connection. Couples can attend from the same location or separate locations depending on what works best.

Question 12

How does Medicare work with your services?

Accepted Answer

If you have a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP or psychiatrist, Medicare provides a rebate of $89.50 per session. We do not bulk bill — sessions are paid upfront, and the rebate is processed automatically through our system. Medicare deposits the rebate directly into your bank account, usually overnight.Most clients are also eligible for a Chronic Condition Management Plan, which provides Medicare rebates for up to five allied health sessions each calendar year. The current rebate under this plan is $63.40 per session. Chronic conditions can include long-standing mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression.Your GP can advise which plan is most appropriate and how many rebated sessions you can access.

Question 13

Does private health insurance cover your services?

Accepted Answer

Some private health insurance policies provide rebates for therapy under extras cover. Coverage varies between insurers and depends on your specific policy. Private health rebates cannot be claimed for the same session as Medicare rebates.

If you're considering using private health, check with your insurer to confirm whether your policy includes mental health services.

Question 14

Is it confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Therapy is confidential and protected under Australian privacy law. Information you share is not disclosed to others without your permission. There are rare legal exceptions to confidentiality, which we would discuss with you if they ever arose. Confidentiality is one of the foundations of therapy, and most clients find that it allows them to talk about things they have never spoken about elsewhere.

Question 15

Do you offer workplace consulting, and what does it involve?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Workplace consulting is tailored to communication, conflict, behaviour under pressure, and team or leadership challenges. We work with individuals and organisations to identify recurring patterns, reduce tension, and build more effective responses in demanding environments. The work is practical, structured, and focused on usable outcomes.

Question 16

Can I attend sessions online from anywhere in Australia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Online sessions are available Australia-wide, and in-person appointments are available in Bundoora. Online sessions use Google Meet and work well for many clients, provided you have a private space and a stable internet connection.

Question 17

What is the RESET Anger Program and how is it structured?

Accepted Answer

A: The RESET Anger Program is a structured one-to-one anger management program designed to help individuals better understand their anger, improve self-awareness, and develop healthier ways of responding to conflict, frustration, and stress. While the program follows a clear framework, sessions are highly personalised and tailored to your own experiences, relationships, challenges, and goals. Rather than focusing solely on theory, the concepts are applied directly to real-life situations, helping you gain practical insight and create meaningful, lasting change.

Question 18

Is your anger management program suitable for court requirements?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer a structured Court-Accepted Anger Management Program for individuals who have been directed by a court, legal representative, employer, or other organisation to complete anger management. Attendance letters, progress reports, and completion certificates are available where appropriate and may incur additional fees. Any documentation provided is based on your attendance, participation, and engagement in the program.

For more information about documentation and associated fees, please refer to our Court Program Fees page.

Question 19

Do you offer support for co-parenting and parenting after separation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Parenting support can include co-parenting after separation, improving communication between parents, reducing conflict, establishing consistent routines across households, and helping children adjust to family changes. The focus is practical, child-centred, and aimed at creating greater stability, healthy boundaries, and more effective decision-making. Jason brings extensive experience working with children, parents, and families navigating separation and its ongoing challenges.

Question 20

What services do you offer, and who are they for?

Accepted Answer

Balanced Perceptions provides structured support for individuals, couples, and families. Services include individual therapy, couples therapy, anger management, parenting after separation, and workplace consulting. The focus is on communication, behaviour change, relationships, and resilience under pressure. If you are not sure which service fits your situation, we can help you work that out when you enquire.

Question 21

How do I book an appointment or make an enquiry?

Accepted Answer

You can book directly through the website or send an enquiry if you would like to discuss the right service first. We can help with individual therapy, couples therapy, anger management, parenting support, and workplace consulting. If you are unsure where to start, a brief contact is enough.

0456 710 251

11 Oxley Ave, Bundoora 3083 VIC, Australia

Frequently Asked Questions