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Most counsellors prefer the humanistic term 'client', which refers to a more 'collaborative therapeutic relationship'. 

Psychologists  prefer to use the term 'patients' which indicates a hierarchical relationship.

Counsellors generally work with people who have specific problems in their lives that cause them distress, such as abuse, anxiety disorders, addictions, adapting to change, anger problems, bereavement, bullying, loss and grief, mild to moderate depression, relationship problems, stress, trauma, work-related concerns, to name a few. 

 Psychologists assist people with specific complex mental health conditions that are making life really difficult, for example;  severe depression, addictions, OCD, Bi-Polar, Schizophrenia, or Personality Disorders. 

No referral from a doctor (GP) is necessary to talk to a counsellor. Therefore, there are no notes on your medical records that could affect your life insurance. You are not limited to the number of counselling sessions that you attend. 

In order to see a psychologist, you will usually have completed a mental health care plan with your GP or you will also be under the care of a psychiatrist. If you need a court report, you would have to consult with your psychologist for an assessment.   

 Psychiatrists are mental health experts. They specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of people with mental illness. They also prescribe medications. Counsellors and psychologists cannot prescribe medications. 

Counselling generally refers to a short-term process that focuses on immediate challenges. These issues are addressed at a more conscious level.  

Psychotherapy typically refers to longer-term treatments. The goal is to explore, unravel and address elements of your psychological history. 

We take your confidentiality seriously.Counsellors are bound by ethical guidelines in accordance with the Australian Counselling Association's Code of Ethics and Practice to protect the privacy and confidentiality of their clients by not disclosing the content discussed during therapy without their consent. 

However, clients must be aware that confidentiality is limited in certain situations. 

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What you say in here stays in here UNLESS you say that: 

1. Someone is hurting you
2. You want to hurt someone
3. You want to hurt yourself
4. You give permission to share with another trusting adult or 
5. The client's counselling notes are  subpoenaed by  a court of law.
6. There is a legal obligation to disclose information about the involvement or knowledge of a crime / police investigation that has not been brought to the attention of the police.
7. Counsellors are mandatory reporters under Section 13E (1) (e) of the Child Protection Act 1999, current edition 2017, p. 36.  All allied health workers, including counsellors, are considered "relevant persons," defined as "a person engaged in a child advocacy function" under the Public Guardian Act 2014.  

Your right to make these decisions depends on your age and the state or territory you live in. In Australia, you have to be:

• 14 years and over in the Northern Territory 
• 16 and over in New South Wales and South Australia
• 18 and over in Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory. 

The counsellor may ask the parent / legal guardian for permission to keep the content of counselling sessions confidential to ensure that the counsellor and the minor can build a therapeutic relationship and trust, because not having this trust can be detrimental to treatment. The consultant will provide parents / legal guardians with information that is important to them, including whether their child is at risk, treatment goals and general progress. 

It may be unsettling for some people if they see the counsellor outside the counselling practice and may not know how to respond.  The counsellor will continue to maintain your privacy and will never approach you to engage in a conversation. It is your decision to greet or not to greet the counsellor.