Individual Counselling in Brisbane

No. You can book directly with Brisbane Counselling Centre without a referral. If you want a Medicare rebate for sessions with a psychologist, you will need a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP first. Many people book their first session while they are waiting for a GP appointment.

At Brisbane Counselling Centre, sessions with a psychologist are $255 to $275 on weekdays and $295 on weekends. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan, Medicare rebates $101.55 per session, leaving a gap of roughly $154 to $194. Sessions with a counsellor are $190 to $220 on weekdays and $240 on weekends, and private health rebates may apply. Full details are on our Fees & Rebates page.

Psychologists are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia through AHPRA. Sessions with a psychologist can attract a Medicare rebate under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, and psychologists can provide formal assessments. Counsellors hold counselling qualifications and are registered with a professional body. Their fees are lower, Medicare rebates do not apply, and some private health funds contribute. Both provide evidence-based therapy, and our reception team can help you decide which suits you.

Start with what you want help with, whether you prefer to see a man or a woman, and which days and times suit you. Our reception team knows the practitioners well and will suggest someone who fits. You can also read the practitioner profiles. Feeling comfortable with your practitioner matters, so if the fit is not right, let us know.

No. You do not need a diagnosis, or even a clear sense of what is wrong. Many people come because something feels off, a situation has become overwhelming, or they want to understand themselves better. Your first session is about working that out together.

Under the Better Access initiative, Medicare rebates up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year. Your GP will initially refer you for up to six sessions. After those, you return to your GP for a review to access the remaining four. The allocation resets on 1 January each year.

New clients at Brisbane Counselling Centre are usually seen within one to two weeks, depending on who you would like to see. Appointments are available on weekday mornings, afternoons and Saturdays.

Your first session is about understanding what has been happening for you. Your psychologist or counsellor will ask about your concerns, how long they have been present, and how they are affecting your daily life, work and relationships. You will finish with an initial plan. You do not need to prepare anything.

It depends on what you are working on. Some people come for a handful of sessions to work through a specific situation, while others with longer-standing difficulties attend over several months. Your practitioner will discuss a likely timeframe with you after the first appointment.

Yes. Many people attend individual counselling to work through relationship difficulties, separation or an affair, whether or not their partner is willing to attend. If you both want to come, see Couples and Marriage Counselling.

Yes. Brisbane Counselling Centre is open Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 5:30pm and Saturdays from 8:30am to 5:00pm. Early morning and Saturday appointments suit people who cannot take time away from work or study. Saturday appointments are popular, so we recommend booking ahead.

Yes. Secure video and telephone sessions are available for people who cannot attend in person, including people in regional Queensland, interstate and overseas. Online sessions with a psychologist attract the same Medicare rebate as in-person appointments with a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan. See our Online Counselling page.

Brisbane Counselling Centre is at Level 7, 87 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill, close to the Brisbane CBD and about five minutes’ walk from Central Station. Discounted parking is available – ask our reception team for details when booking.

Yes. Everything you discuss is confidential and protected under Australian privacy law and your practitioner’s professional standards. There are narrow legal exceptions, such as a serious and immediate risk to someone’s safety or a court subpoena. Your practitioner will explain these in your first session.