Pauline Pearson

Counselling

Counselling gives you the opportunity to speak with another person about the issues that are causing you concern or distress.

Often we would prefer to deal with what concerns us without speaking to anyone else, because of a fear that we will be judged by others, or an unhelpful belief that adults should be able to sort out their own problems.

There may be a time, however, when we feel we want to speak to a professional person who is not part of our family, work, or friendship groups, who can be objective about our issues, and provide an experience of being listened to without being judged.

Counselling can help you feel supported and less alone with what is concerning you. It can bring clarity to a situation, helping you to think about what is happening and how the situation can be improved. Counselling can encourage you to find resources within yourself that previously were not apparent to you or had been forgotten.

Am I professionally qualified?

Qualifications and courses

• Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology from the University of Melbourne.

• Diploma of Social Studies from the University of Melbourne.

• Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy course Centre for Relationship Studies

• Advanced Casework course with the Australia Association of Social Workers.

• 5 day Supervision Course - Australian Association of Social Workers

• Many years of supervised practice

• Personal experience of psychoanalytic therapy.

Am I experienced?

I have 20 years professional experience which includes managing a large community counselling service at Doncare for many years and working at the University of Melbourne as both a counsellor and an educator. I have taught counselling with the Australian College of Applied Psychology and Holmesglen TAFE, and conducted research into life transition in conjunction with Swinburne University and Victoria University. In relation to mental health isses, I have conducted individual and group therapy sessions at Albert Road Clinic for patients presenting with psychotic symptoms and other mental health issues. My experience also includes facilitating debriefing sessions in many of Melbourne’s major inner city hospitals in relation to critical incidents and complex patient situations. For the past 10 years I have been in private practice working with individuals with a broad range of life issues.

Am I a member of a professional organisation?

Membership and accreditation

• Australian Association of Social Workers accredited member

• Mental Health Social worker accredited by Medicare to provide psychological counselling

Am I able to offer Medicare Rebates?

Medicare rebates available with medical referral from GP, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician

Are my fees reasonable?

A sliding scale of reasonable fees is offered depending on financial circumstances. If a Medicare referral is applicable, the fee involves a co contribution of between $20 and $55 per session. The maximum fee I charge is $130/session

Bulk billing is available in certain circumstances, and for health card holders.

How long will I have to wait for an appointment?

Normally appointments can be offered within 1 to 3 weeks.

Am I able to provide help that is effective?

Patterns of thinking, reacting and behaving can change.
When we are stressed or overwhelmed or frustrated or in grief, we may not be able to really think clearly, and therefore are less able to see patterns in our responses. Working with a counsellor or therapist can help these patterns to become clearer. This is the first step towards meaningful change. With support, compassion for yourself and being listened to by someone who is skilled in listening, awareness can grow, and options for change can emerge.

What sort of concerns or issues do I work with?

Relationship issues of all kinds - partners, parent/child, work relationships, etc.

• Feeling overwhelmed by a situation

• Anxiety & depression

• Grief

• Repeated patterns of difficulties in life

• Isolation & difficulty building relationships

• Medical issues

• Mental health issues

• Life changes in family or work settings

• Unversity student concerns

Why people seek professional assistance?

• Relationship issues, with partner, child, friends, family, work colleagues, etc.

• a particular event such as the loss of a job, death of a family member, or other traumatic event,

• a decision that is difficult to make,

• a situation which is beyond their normal capacity to cope,

• something that is ending or beginning, such as the end or one role or the beginning of a new role, the end of a life stage or the beginning of a new life stage.

• feelings of frustration, and/or injustice, anxiety, depression, or grief that seem too big to manage.

• Developmental issues

For many people there comes a time when the way they have been thinking and reacting is no longer the way they want to be, or the way they have been seems to be no longer working for them.These are developmental issues that can be effectively helped through counselling and psychotherapy.

Making an appointment

Phone (03) 9347 4247 to make an appointment. Often it will be necessary to leave a message. Please leave a clear message incuding your phone number . Pauline will return your call, usually within 24 hours.

What will happen when you come for a first appointment.

Initially, there will be a need to hear what has prompted you to come.
We will be meeting usually for the first time and we will both need to see how we can work together. Often people come with issues and concerns that have developed over years and therefore it is important to allow some time to hear what has prompted you to come, and to think together what may be a helpful way to address them.