Frequently Asked Questions

How can I access services with Contigo Child & Family?

There are several ways to access counselling with Contigo Child & Family:

1. Self-referral– You can contact us directly to discuss your needs and book an      appointment.
2. Referral  by a health care professional – You may be referred by your obstetrician,  midwife, or another health professional who supports your mental health  and wellbeing.
3. GP  referral – If you have a GP Mental Health Care Plan or referral for non-directive pregnancy counselling you may be eligible for rebated sessions through Medicare, including up to three sessions for non-directive      pregnancy counselling during pregnancy or in the year following birth.   Your GP can prepare a referral so you can access sessions with us.

For more information regarding fees, rebates and funding streams click here https://contigochildandfamily.com.au/further-info-and-fees

A social worker is a trained allied health professional who helps people manage life challenges, improve wellbeing, and access support. They work with individuals, families, and communities to address a broad range of mental health and personal concerns, including emotional wellbeing, family or relationship difficulties, parenting support, trauma or loss, and social or practical challenges.

To become a social worker, a person must complete a four-year undergraduate or two-year postgraduate social work degree, including at least 1,000 hours of practical placement.

An Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) is a social worker who has undertaken at least two additional years of experience providing mental health treatment and completed specialist mental health training and accreditation. AMHSWs are trained to provide support for mental health, emotional, and social challenges, and can offer services that are eligible for Medicare rebates.

Yes we do.

Individuals with a GP Mental Health Care Plan can access up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year.

Details regarding fees can be found here https://contigochildandfamily.com.au/further-info-and-fees 

No, Contigo Child and Family is unable to offer Medicare bulk billing.  Medicare rebates may apply which reduces the total cost of sessions. Details regarding fees can be found here https://contigochildandfamily.com.au/further-info-and-fees

Some people choose to invest in a small number of sessions, particularly when there is a specific focus such as non-directive pregnancy counselling, planning for birth, or support following birth trauma. For many, just a couple of sessions is enough to build practical tools and have a supportive space to think things through or debrief.

If cost is a concern, the following organisations provide free mental health support:

If cost is a concern, the following organisations provide support at no cost or low cost:

• Gidget Foundation Australia – Counselling and support for expectant and new parents
  📞 1300 851 758
  🌐 https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au
   
• PANDA – Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia – Support for parents experiencing perinatal anxiety and depression
  📞 1300 726 306
  🌐 https://www.panda.org.au
   
• Mums Matter Psychology – Specialised perinatal mental health support for mothers, including pregnancy, postnatal adjustment, and birth-related experiences. Offers low-cost and bulk-billed options via telehealth or in person.
  📞 +61 3 9079 6930
  ✉️ bookings@mumsmatterpsychology.com
  🌐 https://www.mumsmatterpsychology.com
   
• Medicare Mental Health Services – Connects you with local mental health supports and services
  📞 1800 595 212
  🌐 https://www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au
   

This service may be a good fit if you:

• Are seeking ongoing or short-term counselling 
• Are able to pay privately  (Medicare/health fund rebates may apply) or have funding through the NDIS or victim services 
• Do not require urgent, crisis, or intensive mental health support
• Are a woman seeking trauma therapy or mental health support across the perinatal period and beyond 
• Seeking parenting support or early childhood intervention
• A health professional seeking supervision

As Contigo Child & Family is a part-time service, appointments may not always be available at short notice and there may be gaps between sessions. This service is therefore best suited to individuals who are able to manage between appointments and access other supports if needed.

If you are unsure whether this service is the right fit for you, you are welcome to make contact to discuss your needs and explore suitable options.

Who is this service not suitable for 

We do not provide diagnostic assessments, or crisis/emergency mental health support.

We are currently unable to accept referrals for individuals who are:

• Experiencing current symptoms of psychosis or severe mental illness 
• Have an eating disorder requiring specialised care
• Are currently experiencing suicidal thoughts and unable to remain safe, or require urgent crisis support
• Engaged with child protection where there are ongoing safety concerns for a child/children in their care
• Experiencing domestic or family violence without the support of a specialist domestic violence service
• Seeking therapy primarily for formal diagnosis or legal/court-related documentation
   

If any of these situations apply, we can help connect you with more appropriate supports.

At Contigo we want to provide a safe haven where you can slow down, be yourself, and feel accepted and cared for.

In the first one to two sessions, we will focus on:

• Building a therapeutic relationship where your safety, autonomy, and the connection between you and your therapist are a priority
   
• Understanding your story, goals, and what support might be most helpful
   
• Planning together what therapy will look like
   

Therapy is flexible and collaborative. You are encouraged to direct what feels most helpful, and this may change over time.

Some people find it helpful to move around or engage in a regulating activity during sessions, such as sensory fidgets, moving around or colouring. This is encouraged if it helps you feel safer and more comfortable. For telehealth sessions, you are encouraged to create a comfortable environment and plan ahead to minimise distractions.

Sometimes during these early stages, we may realise that Contigo Child & Family is not the best fit for your needs. If this happens, you will be supported to access a service that is more suitable.

For more information about the types of therapy I may offer, please visit:
https://contigochildandfamily.com.au/therapy-approaches

Everyone’s therapy journey is different and there is no “right way” to do therapy. The number of sessions depends on your individual needs, goals, life circumstances, and what is financially viable for you. Your therapist will work collaboratively with you to plan what is most helpful and to review progress as you go.

Some people choose to invest in a small number of sessions, particularly for a specific focus such as planning for birth, non-directive pregnancy counselling, or support following birth trauma. Even a few sessions can be enough to build practical tools and have a supportive space to debrief or reflect. While others may have many sessions over several years. 

There is no limit to the number of sessions if you are paying privately; however, there may be a limit to the number of sessions eligible for a rebate through Medicare or other funding sources.

You may also plan to take a break from therapy and return later, or you may have already ended therapy but later want to return. This is one of the benefits of having a safe haven where you can come back when you need support.

If at any point you feel therapy is not meeting your needs, or you feel ready to take a break or end therapy, please discuss this with your therapist. Together, you can plan what feels right for you.

For duty of care reasons, it is important to let your therapist know if you no longer wish to continue counselling. 

We understand that this can feel difficult, but having this conversation allows your therapist to:

• Support you to access other services or a different therapist if needed
• Explore whether a change in therapy approach might be helpful

If you cancel a session and do not rebook within 4 weeks (or sooner if there are concerns), We will attempt to contact you. If we are unable to reach you, we will need to discharge you from the service.

• If  you were referred by a GP or Victims Services, they will be updated.
• Returning  later may require a new referral, being placed on a waitlist, or having a review session with your therapist.

As a perinatal service, it is common for new parents to bring their baby to sessions. This can sometimes be necessary for parents to access counselling and can also be helpful if bonding or parent–child interaction is one of the goals of therapy.

Older children may occasionally be welcomed to join sessions if it is relevant to the therapy goals. However, it is not recommended to bring older children outside of this, as it may be confusing, boring or distressing for them and can make it harder for the parent to engage fully in therapy.

This guidance applies to both telehealth and in-person sessions.

If childcare is an issue, please discuss this with your therapist. Together, you can explore options or problem-solve to find a way for you to attend sessions effectively.

Please provide as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. This allows the time to be offered to someone else who may need support.

We understand that circumstances can change and that illness can happen. 

Appointments must be cancelled with at least 48 hours’ notice. To cancel, you can call 0420 807 345. Voicemail messages are accepted.

Late cancellations or missed appointments will incur the full session fee, unless extenuating circumstances are discussed with your clinician. 

Late cancellations impact both the clinician and other individuals who could have utilised the appointment time.

If attending appointments is difficult, overwhelming, or you are feeling unwell, please discuss this with your counsellor. Sessions may be adapted, for example shortening the session or conducting the session via phone
 

Victims Services participants have a separate policy, which will be provided to you prior to your first appointment.

Contigo Child & Family takes the privacy and security of your information very seriously.

To provide counselling, we collect personal and health information, including:

• Personal  identifiers (e.g., name, contact details, date of birth), relevant health, developmental, and family history, session notes, care plans, and clinical documentation
• Information from referring practitioners or services

This information is stored securely and used only for:

• Supporting  your care and continuity of treatment
• Meeting clinical governance and professional obligations
• Service evaluation and quality improvement

Clinical records may be supported by secure, privacy-compliant AI-assisted documentation tools, which help maintain accurate records but do not replace clinician judgement.

De-identified information may be shared for:

• Clinical  supervision
• Professional  consultation
• Training  and service improvement

Information may be disclosed in certain circumstances, including:

• To other health professionals, services or supports (such as family), with your consent
• To government  agencies, where required by law 
• To emergency  services if there is an immediate risk of harm to you or others
• When ordered to by a court.  We  will only provide information that is legally requested and necessary. 

Your safety, and the safety of children, is always a priority. If your therapist has concerns that you or a child may be at risk, they are legally and ethically required to take appropriate action.

Your therapist will work with you collaboratively, provide as much choice and control as possible, and support you throughout the process.

Before therapy begins, you will be asked to identify an emergency contact. This ensures that in urgent situations, appropriate support can be accessed quickly.

If a safety concern arises, actions may include:

• Discussing  the concern with you directly and planning the next steps collaboratively where possible
• Contacting  relevant child protection or other emergency services to ensure safety

These situations are handled with care, respect, and confidentiality wherever possible. Your therapist will explain the process and support you throughout.

The goal is always to ensure safety while maintaining a supportive therapeutic relationship with you

We encourage you to share any concerns directly with your therapist. This provides an opportunity to repair any rupture that may have occurred in the therapy relationship, offer support, and help resolve the issue.

If discussing it in session feels too difficult, you may send an email to your therapist instead at contigochildandfamily@outlook.com

If the concern cannot be resolved directly, you can make a formal complaint to the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). The AASW provides an independent process for reviewing complaints about social work practice. You can find more information and submit a complaint here:  https://www.aasw.asn.au/about-us/complaints