How many sessions will I need?

You may have 6 sessions or weekly over a longer period.  Generally I like to see new clients weekly for 3 sessions, this way we can get to work on your specific issue and you can see some outcomes pretty quickly.  Then it’s up to you, you may like to continue weekly, fortnightly or even monthly is suitable for some people.  It just depends on how much support you want or feel you need.

What is Counselling?

Counselling allows you to express your emotions in a safe, objective environment and enable you to learn new coping skills.

What is Trauma Therapy?

Trauma Therapy safely seeks to help survivors manage symptoms, increase their coping skills and ability to function in everyday activities. Counselling and psychotherapy will help you to understand your own story and acknowledge your trauma whilst working at a safe pace. This will help you build a sense of containment and acknowledge your strengths.

What is Grief Counselling?

Grief and loss counselling is more than being pressured to share painful feelings. Research-informed counselling offers a rich repertoire of methods for assisting the bereaved.  Grief is after all a human experience however sometimes the impact of several losses culminates in a debilitating deep sorrow that may need counselling support to help shift and transform. We will work collaboratively to engage your grief and its complications with creativity, bringing awareness and using some alternative techniques that may be useful when the old ways have not been helpful.

What is the difference between a counsellor and a psychotherapist?

In general counselling is short-term and problem oriented process, whereas psychotherapy is person-oriented and can continue for many sessions or even years.  Counselling and psychotherapy may be viewed on a continuum and there is considerable overlap.

Psychotherapy is generally weekly appointments over a longer time frame working on lasting change with pervasive issues, and some changes are usually experienced after a few sessions.  Therapists usually train in several modalities and specialize in particular areas.  Find someone that has a variety of skills, and experiences, different approaches will suit different people and issues.

Could you explain PACFA?

Jane Macnaught has clinical registration with PACFA. To be even considered for membership with PACFA Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia the course you study must meet their rigorous guidelines.  Some counsellors receive very little training whilst others have trained for years in tertiary institutions.  You will know more about your counsellor by looking at their professional memberships.

PACFA Membership Requirements

PACFA regards ongoing clinical supervision, professional development, self-awareness, self-development, self-monitoring and self-examination as central to effective and ethical practice. Such practices lead to enhanced capacity to utilise the self of the practitioner effectively in the therapeutic relationships.

What about your continuous learning?

Each year I participate in at least 30 hours of professional development, plus I am a member of study groups, professional development groups, group supervision and group coaching. I also undertake ongoing individual supervision and individual counselling and coaching.

• Safe & Sound Protocol Training SSP  Dr. Stephen Porges, auditory intervention
• The Rhythm of Regulation – Polyvagal Theory with Deb Dana – Foundation 1
• Rhythms and Regulation: Expressive Arts Therapy Approaches To Brain and Body – Cathy Malchiodi Trauma-Informed Practices & Expressive Arts Therapy Institute
• Yoga Teacher Training with Liz Bennett and Amelia Disspain Balanced Practice Yoga 12 mths 350 hr
• Trauma Sensitive Yoga – Integrating trauma informed yoga practices into therapy, body focused somatic approach.
• Brenè Brown’s ‘The Daring Way for Wholehearted Practitioners’. Presented by Brave Therapy – Andi Szasz PACFA Clinical Supervisor
• Group Work For Adults Sexually Abused As Children – ECAV, NSW Health Education Centre Against Violence – Best practice for facilitating groups for this sector.
• Psychotherapy and Men, Creative & Engaging Responses – Blue Knot Foundation Professional Development
• Yoga and the Traumatised Body – Trauma Sensitive Yoga Australia – Integrating trauma informed yoga practices into therapy – somatic approach, and rhythms
• Trauma Informed Group: Professional Development. Presented by Shirley Hicks, PACFA Clinical Supervisor
• Grief Therapy Training – Death Loss and the Quest for meaning: Creative Practices for Counselling the Bereaved with Robert Neimeyer PhD, Uni Memphis USA.  Presented by Centre for Existential Practice
• Working with Survivors of Childhood Trauma and Abuse – Blue Knot Foundation– Training in Practice Guidelines for Treatment of Complex Trauma and Trauma Informed Care and Service Delivery.
• Psycho-Spiritual Model – Dr Trisha Stratford Presented by CAPA Counselling and Psychotherapists Assoc. NSW
• Healing Trauma Across Cultures – Contextual and Developmental Approach – Dr Boris Drozdek Presented by STARTTS NSW Service for the Treatment & Rehabilitation of Torture & Trauma Survivors

ARCAP is an independent national register which protects the public and community interests by listing professionally qualified and experienced counsellors and psychotherapists.

All counsellors and psychotherapists listed on the Register meet ongoing Professional Development requirements and practice within the ethical guidelines of the profession.

https://www.arcapregister.com.au/

**You will find Jane Macnaught listed on the PACFA website and the ARCAP register

What is the difference between a psychologist, social worker and psychiatrist?

Social workers work towards maximising human potential and are advocates for social change and committed to human rights and social justice.  They take a holistic view of their clients often working with families in more marginalised districts.  If you are seeing a social worker for therapy you might like to check they have post qualification counselling or psychotherapy training.

Psychologists use scientific methods with medically oriented models. They study the mind and human behaviour with a focus on assessments and diagnosis.  They work in diverse areas within government organisations, and community organisations.  If you are seeking counselling or psychotherapy with a psychologist be sure to check they have post qualification training in counselling, psychotherapy or clinical psychology.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors that study mental illness and psychiatric medications.  A psychiatrist prescribes medicine and only some psychiatrists will provide therapy.  It is advisable to have counselling or psychotherapy in conjunction with medications. The patient will be able to provide talking therapy that will allow the cause of the issue to be given consideration and analysis.