What is therapy?

Therapy is a confidential space where you work with a trained therapist to explore thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and life experiences. Therapy can help you better understand yourself, navigate challenges, and create meaningful change. People come to therapy for many reasons, including stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, life transitions, feeling stuck, or wanting deeper self-understanding. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychotherapist?

Psychologists are trained within a diagnostic and medical framework and are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia. Psychotherapists are trained in in-depth, relational, and experiential therapies. Psychotherapy often focuses on emotional experience, relationships, trauma integration, meaning, and long-term change rather than diagnosis or symptom reduction alone.

What is a Mental Health Care Plan?

A Mental Health Care Plan is a plan created by a GP that allows eligible clients to access Medicare rebates for 6-10 sessions with a registered psychologist per year, if you have a mental health diagnosis.

Do I need a Mental Health Care Plan for therapy?

No, a Mental Health Care Plan is not required to attend therapy. You only need a plan if you want to access Medicare rebates with a psychologist. Many people choose private therapy or psychotherapy without a plan for greater flexibility and choice of approach.

Do I need a GP referral for therapy?

No, you can book therapy directly without a GP referral. A GP referral is only needed if you are seeking a Mental Health Care Plan to claim Medicare rebates with a psychologist. Some clients prefer this option as it allows access to a wider range of therapeutic approaches and does not require a diagnosis.

Is therapy covered by Medicare?

No, Medicare rebates are available only for sessions with registered psychologists under a Mental Health Care Plan.nPsychotherapy sessions are privately billed.

How long is a therapy session?

Most therapy sessions are 50 minutes long.

How many therapy sessions do I need?

There is no set number of therapy sessions that suits everyone. Some people attend therapy short-term for specific concerns, while others engage in longer-term therapy for deeper personal or relational work. This is entirely up to you!

What is a therapy session like?

A therapy session is a guided conversation shaped by your needs and goals. Your therapist may ask questions, reflect patterns they notice, invite you to explore thoughts, emotions, or bodily sensations, or go through interactive activities. Therapy is collaborative and paced to feel safe and supportive. There is no pressure to know what to say or where to start.

What do you talk about in therapy?

You can talk about anything that feels important to you, including relationships, emotions, past experiences, current stressors, identity, or uncertainty. Many people begin therapy unsure of what to talk about. That’s normal, and part of the therapeutic process is discovering this together.

Can I change therapists?

Yes. You can change therapists at any time. Feeling safe and understood in therapy is important. If the fit doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to seek a therapist who better suits your needs. If you would like to see a different therapist here at Finding Space, we offer this next session at a $150 rate to help support this process.

Does therapy help with anxiety?

Yes, therapy can help with anxiety by exploring underlying patterns, emotional responses, and nervous system regulation. Rather than only managing symptoms, therapy often supports deeper understanding and long-term change.

Does therapy help with depression?

Yes, therapy can help with depression by providing a space to explore low mood, emotional pain, disconnection, and self-critical patterns. Therapeutic support can help people feel less alone and develop new ways of relating to themselves and their lives.

Does therapy help with feeling stuck?

Yes, therapy is commonly sought when people feel stuck, uncertain, or disconnected from themselves or their direction. Therapy can help clarify patterns, values, and internal conflicts, opening up new possibilities for movement and change.

Does therapy help with eating disorders?

Yes, therapy can support people experiencing eating disorders by addressing emotional, relational, and identity-related factors alongside behaviours. Many therapists work collaboratively with other health professionals to provide holistic and supportive care.

Does therapy help with burnout?

Yes, therapy can help with burnout by addressing stress, boundaries, values, and nervous system overload, and by supporting sustainable change.

What is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a structured therapy modality that focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. CBT is often goal-oriented and skills-based, and is commonly used for anxiety and depression.

What is Internal Family Systems therapy?

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is a therapy modality that understands the mind as made up of different “parts,” each with its own role and intention. IFS focuses on developing a compassionate relationship with these parts to support healing, emotional regulation, and self-leadership.

What is IFS?

IFS stands for Internal Family Systems therapy.

What is somatic therapy?

Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between the body and mind. It works with physical sensations, nervous system responses, and embodied experience to support emotional processing and regulation.

What is DBT?

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a skills-based therapy that focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and relationships. DBT is often used for intense emotions and patterns that feel difficult to manage.

What is narrative therapy?

Narrative therapy focuses on the stories people tell about their lives and identities. It helps separate people from problems and supports the development of alternative, more empowering narratives.

What happens in couples therapy?

Couples therapy is a structured and supportive space where partners work with a therapist to explore their relationship dynamics, communication patterns, and areas of conflict or disconnection. Sessions focus on understanding how each partner experiences the relationship and how patterns between you have developed over time.

Is therapy free in Australia?

Therapy is not usually free in Australia. Some people can access subsidised or low-cost therapy psychology sessions Medicare. Other options are public health services or community organisations. With a Mental Health Care Plan from a GP, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates for sessions with a registered psychologist. Even with a rebate, there is often an out-of-pocket cost, as many psychologists do not bulk bill.

Why is therapy so expensive?

Therapy can feel expensive because it involves highly trained professionals offering one-to-one, confidential care. Therapists undertake many years of education, lifetime professional development, lifetime supervision, and ethical obligations to ensure safe and effective practice. While therapy can be a financial investment, many people choose it because of the long-term emotional, relational, and psychological benefits it can offer.

Is therapy worth it?

Yes, therapy is worth it for many people because it provides dedicated time and support to understand patterns, process emotions, and make meaningful changes. While therapy can be a financial and time investment, many people find the benefits extend beyond symptom relief. Therapy can improve self-awareness, communication, emotional regulation, and long-term wellbeing, often influencing multiple areas of life. Whether therapy feels “worth it” depends on your goals, the quality of the therapeutic relationship, and finding an approach that fits you. When those align, therapy is often experienced as a valuable investment in mental and emotional health.

Is therapy confidential?

Yes, therapy sessions are confidential, with legal and ethical limits around safety. Your therapist will explain confidentiality and its limits clearly at the start of therapy.

How to find therapy near me?

If you’re searching for therapy near me in Clovelly or Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, Finding Space offers in-person and online psychotherapy in a calm, welcoming space.