The best way to begin your therapy journey with us is by booking an initial consultation call with your therapist. This is a free 15 minute conversation over the phone during which you and your therapist can explore whether you are a good fit for each other. You’ll be asked to speak to some of the reasons you are looking for therapy and you’ll get the opportunity to ask questions or bring up any concerns.

We understand this first step might be daunting, so we will ensure this process to be as smooth as possible for you. If you decide we are not the right fit or now is not the right time for you, there are absolutely no obligations after the call.

Start by getting in touch via email (marie@thepresentplace.com.au) or telephone (0431322560) and let us know you would like to arrange a time for a consult call. You can also follow the button at the top of the page to arrange a call directly. We very much look forward to hearing from you!

Once you have had your initial consultation over the phone and are happy to go ahead with your therapist, we’ll find you a time for your first appointment. The first couple of sessions will involve getting to know you: understanding your history, your current life situations, the problems you experience, your wants and needs and importantly your strengths. Together with your therapist you will then set goals for the ongoing therapy and your therapist will present their integrative treatment plan, which will be collaboratively refined.

Ongoing sessions will be a unique experience of human relating, exploration and therapeutic exercises to support the unfolding of who you are and to guide you towards your goals.

If travelling to our office in Daylesford is not possible for you, we offer telehealth sessions securely via Google Meet. Your therapist will gladly talk you through how to use the app. To make the most out of your therapy time please ensure to have a video-able device, a stable internet connection and a reliable source of power.

How many sessions you’ll need is dependent on a multitude of factors such as your particular goals, lifestyle and financial situation. As the saying goes “healing is not linear” and sometimes hard to predict.

Your bespoke treatment plan will include an estimation of the time it will take to reach your goals. Generally we initially focus on alleviating your symptoms and help you feel better as quickly as possible. Sustainably changing deep-rooted patterns takes longer.

Choice is an important part of therapy. This means you can end the therapeutic relationship at any time, take a break, or alter the frequency of your sessions.

Yes. Whatever gets discussed during sessions stays between you and your therapist. To ensure your safety and the safety of others, there are however exceptions in the circumstance that high and acute risk of suicidality or homicidality or compromised safety of a minor is being disclosed. You will always be informed before relevant services are contacted.

Additionally, if you are under age, specifics around confidentiality will depend on your age and custody arrangements, and will be discussed with you prior to commencing therapy.

50 minute individual sessions $140

50 minute couple sessions $175

80 minute couple session $220

If your circumstances don’t allow you to access psychological support at the above prices, we are happy to speak with you and see how therapy can be affordable for you.

If you cancel your session within 24 hours of the appointment time the full rate is charged.

If you cancel your session within 48-24 hours of the appointment time a $50 cancellation fee will be charged.

If you cancel 48 hours prior to the appointment time or earlier no fee incurs.

Unfortunately psychotherapists cannot yet offer any rebates under the Mental Health Care Plan. However our base rate is substantially lower than unsubsidised psychology sessions and the gap between subsidised psychology fees and our rates is not substantial, which makes psychotherapy a more affordable long-term option, especially considering most treatments take more than the number of rebated sessions through Medicare.

You do not need a referral in order to see a psychotherapist. Besides wanting to see a psychotherapist to do deeper work, some might see a psychotherapist while they are on the waitlist to see a psychologist or once their MHCP is exhausted.

Currently we are unable to offer services under the NDIS.

Some private health insurers offer policies which rebate psychotherapy, however our practice is currently unable to offer rebates through private health insurance.

We adhere to the ethical guideline to not see clients outside of our scope of practice, which enables people to find the appropriate support elsewhere. Currently we do not see people who have a diagnosed personality disorder or presentations resembling such, people who currently are in an active at risk situation (e.g. ongoing domestic violence or abuse, as this may require crisis intervention. Please view next question for contacts.), people with an eating disorder who require urgent medical attention, or minors under the age of 14. If we discover during the initial consultation call (or later) that we are not suited to work together, we will gladly provide points of contact to other services or practitioners.

Furthermore, as our practice is based in a rural area some dual relationships with clients might be unavoidable (for example shopping in the same supermarket), however we are obliged to avoid dual relationships, which may impact the therapy. Your privacy is important to us and you and your therapist will find an arrangement to navigate any of these issues if they occur.

We are unavailable to respond to you after hours and on days we are not in the office. The only exceptions are pre-arranged after hour appointments. If you are needing urgent care or assistance please contact the appropriate service:

Police, fire or ambulance (emergency) - 000

Lifeline (suicide) - 13 11 14

Beyond Blue (depression & anxiety) - 1300 22 4636

Blue Knot Helpline (trauma) - 1300 657 380

Butterfly Helpline (ED) - 1800 33 4673

Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800

Safe Steps (family violence) - 1800 015 188

VIC Child Protection - 13 12 78

QLife (queer) - 1800 184 527