Counselling

CatholicCare is a social services organisation offering professional and confidential counselling services to people of all ages and walks of life.

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Our aim is to encourage and strengthen individuals, couples and families to continue to develop and grow. You can expect your counsellor to be respectful, non-judgmental, genuine and confidential.

Sessions last about one hour. The number of sessions will depend on you, and will proceed at your pace. A referral is not required.

Counselling can help with many issues including:

  • Personal development issues, i.e. self-esteem or assertiveness
  • Grief and loss
  • Stress management
  • Conflict resolution
  • Separation or divorce
  • A stepfamily adjusting together
  • Communication
  • Parenting issues
  • Any other issue that is negatively affecting your life or relationships

How Much Does it Cost?

Your first one-hour session is provided free of charge. After the first session, fees per hour are charged according to level of income.

Our counselling services are currently funded by Australian and State Government Grants, Employee Assistance Program Contracts and Client Contributions. Your financial contribution to this service is important in enabling us to continue to provide quality counselling services.

Level of Income Guide

Income Fee
Less than $13,951 $25.00
$13,951 to $48,152 $45.00
Over previous threshold (full fee) $70.00

Note: it is the policy of CatholicCare that no client will be refused a service based on an inability to contribute a fee.

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Our Counsellors

  • Are all tertiary qualified
  • Are approved as Family and Child Counsellors by the Attorney General Department under the Family Law Act
  • Receive regular professional supervision and training
  • Hold Suitability Cards for Working with Children issued by the Commission for Children and Young People

In your first session your counsellor will speak with you about what has led you to seek counselling. At the end of the session, you will discuss with your counsellor whether further counselling would be helpful.

Sessions will concentrate on your concerns and how you may work to resolve them.

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Counsellor Profiles

  • Campbell

    Gladstone

    Campbell is an experienced counsellor with a Diploma in Counselling and extensive training as a Family Therapist.

    With more than 30 years experience in the field, Campbell has supported a diverse range of clients from communities throughout New South Wales and Queensland, including rural and remote areas.

    Campbell and his wife hail from the Sunshine Coast, where they lived for many years raising their four children. His own experience with raising a family, as well as observing others, has provided Campbell with unique insights into families, parenthood and relationships.

    With a solution-focused approach, Campbell enjoys seeing his clients freed from the tyranny of their past, develop their own strengths, take responsibility for their decisions and nurture themselves towards success.

  • Neil

    Bundaberg

    Neil is a registered psychologist and one of our most experienced clinicians with over 35 years in the human services and mental health fields and employed with CatholicCare since 1998.

    During this time he has worked with countless clients across all genders and age groups as well as with the indigenous community. This includes a decade of child protection work for the State Government.

    In his free time, Neil is a keen reader, gardener and plant collector and also has an active interest in archery.

  • Catherine

    Rockhampton

    Catherine has been a counsellor for the past three years. She has completed a Diploma in Counselling with additional training in domestic violence. Before CatholicCare, she was a CEO of a not-for-profit organisation in Rockhampton. She has also worked as a life coach.

    Catherine’s focus is on empowering men and women to know their identity, self worth and emotional intelligence. Outside of work, Catherine’s faith plays a huge part in her life. She enjoys second hand shopping, fashion, gardening and spending time with her amazing friends and family.

  • Keanu

    Rockhampton

    Keanu has completed a Bachelor of Human Services (BHMS Counselling) and a Graduate Certificate in Counselling from the University of Southern Queensland. He was an online text-based counsellor for 1 year, during his studies. In 2021 he started working with a private counselling business and has been with CatholicCare since July 2023.

    Keanu specialises in generalist counselling with an influence from a range of methods and modalities. Preferential to Narrative Therapy, Existential Therapy and Reality Therapy. Keanu is also open to discussing religious and spiritual or other niche topics.

    Out of work Keanu enjoys learning about Philosophy, History, Theology and Psychology/Psychotherapy. He also enjoys exercise, DIY projects and gardening.

  • Giovanna

    Rockhampton

    As a counsellor, Giovanna has been active in delivering short-term and long-term interventions, providing support for clients in various challenges. With a deep work ethic, she is able to assist clients in therapeutic interventions and empowering clients to manage and overcome mental and emotional challenges.

    Giovanna has a Masters Degree in Social Work, Certificate IV in Human Resources, Bachelor in Legal and Social Sciences and has been a counsellor since 2021. Giovanna specialises in family and relationship (Training completed in Gottman Level 1), EFT (Attachment Science in Practise) and Narrative Therapy (Key skills in family therapy, systems and stories).

    Prior to CatholicCare, Giovanna worked as a social worker intern at Jewish House and Mission Australia. Anglicare Southern Queensland as a Family Support Practitioner and CentaCare North Queensland as a Family and Community Counsellor.

    Giovanna has done a large amount of Voluntary Work in Australia and Brazil. In Sydney she volunteered with JH Kids, working with children aged 4 to 12, and built a solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs. In Brazil, Giovanna did voluntary work in the NGO “Sonhar Acordado” (“Dreaming Awake”), Working with children and teenagers.

    Outside of work, Giovanna loves going to the beach and being outside in nature, whether that be watching sunrises or sunsets. She also enjoys catching up with her friends and family.

  • Catherine

    Bundaberg

    Catherine has been a member of the CatholicCare clinical team since 2021.

    She has more than seven years’ experience in trauma counselling, specialising in sexual assault and abuse counselling. She is also a social worker with our Allied Health Team in Bundaberg.

    She holds a Master of Social Work, a Master of Narrative Therapy & Community Work, and a Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling). She is an accredited social worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers.

    Catherine is multilingual, which has proved essential in CatholicCare’s work with culturally and linguistically diverse clients.

    In her free time, Catherine enjoys spending time with her family, has an interest in the arts, and volunteers with a non-political service organisation.

  • Amber

    Mackay

    Amber joined CatholicCare in January 2024

    Amber has been a counsellor for over a year. She completed a Bachelor of Social work and is also currently studying a post graduate certificate in Mental Health and Neuroscience.

    She previously worked as a Social Worker at Mackay Base Hospital and as a Mental Health Clinician at Evolve Therapeutic Services.

    Outside of work Amber enjoys going to gym, trips to the beach, spending time with friends and family. She has a love of being outside, exploring waterfalls and bushwalking.

Counselling ~ Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during my initial intake session?

Your intake will take 50 minutes. During the intake your counsellor will ask you a number of questions to assess your needs and will seek to establish what you would like support with and how our service can meet your needs.

Questions you will be asked include:

  • Why you sought therapy? – the counsellor needs to understand your issues.
  • The counsellor will also ask you questions about your life such as family, relationship or work situations as these play an important role in who you are.

It is important during your sessions that you are open, ask questions, be honest about your feelings and let your counsellor know if you have any concerns about the sessions. If you do not feel comfortable with your counsellor please let your counsellor know, or contact us to ask if there is another counsellor available – if is important that you feel you can speak openly with your counsellor.

Following your intake session your counsellor will then offer you a follow up session to start working on the issues you have identified. Sessions will be 50 minutes – these can be face to face, telephone or web based.

Appointments are usually made fortnightly so that you have time to work on strategies between sessions – your counsellor will negotiate frequency with you.

What type of counselling does CatholicCare provide?

CatholicCare can provide counselling on a one-on-one basis, or to couples, families and groups.

Our counsellors can assist with:

  • Relationship issues (communication, conflict, separation)
  • grief and loss
  • anxiety
  • domestic violence
  • children’s issues
  • depression
  • parenting issues
  • workplace issues (such as bullying, stress management and change management)

Do you specialise in any specific areas?

Staff are employed as generalist counsellor’s, however, a number of our staff undertake specialised training to work with:

  • trauma
  • addiction
  • sexual abuse

If staff meet a client that they feel they do not have the skills or training to work with they will make an appropriate referral to someone who does.

Can you claim anything on Medicare?

In Bundaberg we provide Better Health Access Services. You will need a referral from a GP to access this service.  This service is currently only available in Bundaberg.

Can children receive counselling?

School aged children can be seen for appointments. The first appointment is usually with the parent only to assess needs.

Do you need to have a referral to use your services?

No, you do not need a referral to use our service.

When doing relationship counselling, can you have individual appointments as well?

Yes. During intake a counsellor will assess your needs and make recommendations about your counselling goals.

What cost is involved?

Your first intake appointment is free.

All subsequent appointments do incur a cost. Please see our fee schedule to check our current rates.

Clients will not be denied access to our counselling services because they do not have a financial capacity to pay the recommended rate.

What if I am impacted by domestic violence?

If you have experienced or are experiencing family and domestic violence, during intake you can discuss this with your counsellor and they will make appropriate referrals to support your needs.

How do I make changes to an appointment?

You will need to call 1300 523 985 and speak with one of our friendly staff to make any changes to your appointment. This includes cancellations or rescheduling.