Appointments
Counselling sessions are typically 60 minutes unless otherwise agreed. Appointments must be booked 48 hours in advance.
Fees and payment
Current standard fees are listed on the Services page. A concession rate is available for eligible clients. When booking online, payment is taken at the time of booking. For ongoing clients invoiced after the session, invoices are payable within 7 days unless otherwise arranged. BUPA, GU Health and NDIS rebates may be available depending on your policy or plan.
Cancellations
Please provide at least 24 hours' notice (via email) if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Late cancellations or non-attendance may incur a fee.
Outcomes
Counselling can be helpful, but outcomes vary from person to person and cannot be guaranteed. The work we do together depends on many factors, including what you bring to sessions and what is happening in your life.
Your right to end counselling
You can end counselling at any time. If you decide to stop, it can be helpful to discuss this so we can close the work properly, but there is no obligation to do so.
Confidentiality
Counselling sessions are confidential, with legal and ethical exceptions, including situations involving risk of serious harm.
Session notes and AI-assisted note-taking
I use Coviu AI Scribe to assist with clinical note-taking. This tool listens during a session and generates a draft summary of the session content. You will be asked to give consent before it is used. For telehealth sessions, consent is requested at the start of each session. Once the notes are generated, the audio recording and transcription are deleted. I review and edit all AI-generated notes for accuracy before they are saved to your file.
Record keeping
I keep written records of all sessions. Client records are stored securely and retained for a minimum of 7 years in accordance with professional and legal requirements. You have the right to request access to your records.
Clinical supervision
I engage in regular clinical supervision as required by the Australian Counselling Association. I may discuss aspects of my work with my supervisor to ensure I am providing safe and ethical practice. Your name and identifying details are not used in supervision.
Professional indemnity
Riverstone Counselling holds professional indemnity insurance.
Complaints
If you have a concern about any aspect of our work together, please raise it with me directly in the first instance. If you feel unable to do that, or the concern is not resolved, you can contact the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) at theaca.net.au. As an ACA Level 2 Registered Counsellor, I am bound by the ACA Code of Ethics and Practice.
Not an emergency service
Riverstone Counselling does not provide crisis or emergency services. If you require urgent assistance, contact 000. For 24/7 crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For domestic, family, or sexual violence support, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.