Our Counselling Services
Transformative Psychology (TP) acknowledges and respects each person’s unique temperament, worldview, experiences and values. We recognise each person’s physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and social dimensions, believing that each person has their own needs, preferences and aspirations.
At Transformative Psychology we believe that each person experiences multiple dimensions and processes simultaneously, all of which are part of one interconnected Whole or Life itself. These dimensions and processes are arising, unfolding, evolving, falling and dissolving from moment-to-moment. These influence and are influenced by the totality of each person’s temperament, genetics, learnings and experiences to date, by various causes and conditions, by various systems, including relationships, family, society, culture, the world, the larger universe or Kosmos, and by what’s unknown.
Western and Eastern psychological, scientific, philosophical, educational and wisdom models, principles and practices are integrated into Transformative Psychology’s services and program design and delivery. This assists in responding to and supporting each person’s unique needs, temperament and complexity, sensitively and respectfully.
At Transformative Psychology we believe each person should have access to a range of psychology, counselling and learning services, programs and resources, enabling them to develop the capabilities they need for creating and living a meaningful life that is aligned with what is important to them. It also includes access to Medicare and other third party-funded psychology services for eligible people.
Transformative Psychology works with individuals, couples and groups / families who present with one or a combination of the following concerns, conditions, needs:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Life changes, transitions and adjustments
- Loss and grief
- Relationships: individual / couple / family
- Dealing with ageing parents and dementia / Alzheimer’s disease
- Gay, lesbian, bisexual, sexual orientation issues
- Drug and alcohol (substance) use
- Communication and social skills
- Managing anger and/or strong emotional reactions
- Problem-solving skills
- Self-image/esteem
- Mindfulness and self-compassion skills, meditation and contemplative practices
- Existential, meaning and purpose, transpersonal, spirituality, faith issues
- Wisdom and spiritual education and development
Forensic psychology services and psychological or court reports are not provided by Transformative Psychology. These services can be provided by forensic or psychologists who provide these services.
Transformative Psychology provides psychology and counselling services in the context of Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) to individuals in businesses and organisations who require support and a safe space to discuss their personal and/or professional concerns or needs.
Transformative Psychology is committed to the principles of evidence-based and evidence-supported practice.
Psychology and counselling services are informed and guided by the following psychological, scientific, philosophical and contemplative traditions, models, principles, strategies and practices:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBI), including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) & Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
- Neuroscience, Western Insight Mindfulness Meditation and other contemplative traditions
- Psychosynthesis
- Depth Psychology
- Positive Psychology
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Systemic and Family Therapy
- Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
Principles and practices from the following teachers, wisdom, contemplative and spiritual traditions may be relevant and helpful to some people:
- Jon Kabat-Zinn – Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Z.Segal, M.Williams, J.Teasdale – Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
- B. Alan Wallace
- Kristin Neff, Chris Germer and Paul Gilbert – Self-compassion
- Brene Brown
- Tara Brach
- Rick Hanson
- Martin Seligman – Positive Psychology
- Ken Wilber – Integral Theory and Practice
- Eckhart Tolle
- Rupert Spira
- Roberto Assagioli – Psychosynthesis
- Cynthia Bourgeault
- Francis Weller – Grief
- M.Nicoll, G.I.Gurdjieff – The Work
- Buddhist psychology, mindfulness meditation, yoga meditation
Some of the benefits of counselling can include:
- Enhancing self-awareness
- Developing strategies for unhooking from unhelpful, limited or distorted beliefs, thoughts, stories, mind commentary
- Developing strategies for acknowledging and managing all feelings and emotions
- Developing strategies for acknowledging and accepting all experiences
- Learning to connect with and live in the present
- Understanding and changing patterns of behaviour
- Developing strategies for responding (and not reacting) to situations and people
- Clarifying what’s important to you and how you want to live your life
- Being supported to move toward valued directions
- Developing new perspectives
- Developing self-management, self-care and self-compassion strategies
- Learning to be more compassionate to others
- Developing interpersonal boundaries and strategies
- Increasing intimacy, connection and fulfilment in relationships
- Developing resilience
- Enhancing inner calmness and peacefulness
Some people may believe one or more of the following misconceptions about counselling that may prevent them from seeking support. These are not truths or facts.
- It’s only for weak people
- It’s a sign of being ‘crazy’
- It’s only for people who are suicidal
- I should be able to manage everything on my own
- Always keep your problems to yourself
- It’s up to me to help myself at all times
- It’s selfish and self-centred
- There must be something really ‘wrong’ with or ‘defective’ about me
- I’m a failure if I go to counselling
- Only whingers and complainers go to counselling
- How can this help?
All consultations are for approximately 50-55 minutes.
First, you will be talking with another human being who is interested in understanding and helping you.
You will be welcomed to the consultation and what to expect will be explained to you.
To read or download a copy go to the Consultation Information, Forms, Policies, Fees and Rebates section below.
You will be asked various questions about your concerns and needs that will help your psychologist to understand why you have come to counselling at this time.
You may be asked to complete 1-2 questionnaires, and possibly at some time in the future. They will assist your psychologist to understand your particular concerns, and to determine what form of support and interventions will be helpful to you. If you are being referred for Medicare psychology services you will be asked to complete them at the start and end of a series of services.
Your initial and subsequent conversations with your psychologist will enable you to establish rapport and a professional, ethical and respectful relationship that is focused on helping you.
Your first consultation will assist your psychologist to identify factors that precipitated and might be triggering, exacerbating, perpetuating and maintaining your concerns, as well as what might be the best ways to respond to your concerns and needs, including particular focused psychological strategies for this purpose.
You will be encouraged to be as honest as possible and to share any sensitive or difficult information when you are ready to. This will enable your psychologist to support you in a manner that is helpful to you. Your psychologist is trained and experienced in listening to this information respectfully, non-judgementally and ethically.
Your psychologist will take notes during the first and some notes during subsequent consultations to assist with your care and management.
Consultation or progress notes will be maintained in relation to each of your psychology services, including for treatment planning and for tracking progress. This is a legal requirement. Information and notes about you are stored securely and are only accessible by your psychologist.
At the end of your initial consultation your psychologist will provide feedback to you, discuss options for responding to your concerns, including how many consultations you might require, and what will happen next and in subsequent consultations, especially if you decide you would like to continue to progress your psychological work together.
You will have an opportunity to ask any questions both during and at the end of a consultation. All decisions about available support options will be made by you, with guidance and recommendations from your psychologist. Please keep in mind that your psychologist is there to help you, and to work with you in a manner that enables you to clarify and work towards your counselling goals and preferred outcomes. This collaborative relationship continues right through your time together.
Your consultations are essentially about your concerns, needs and preferred outcomes. Your relationship with your psychologist supports you to achieve what is important and helpful to you.
We are eligible to provide psychology services under Medicare, including:
- The Medicare Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative
- The Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Medicare items.
The Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative introduced new mental health Medicare items in 2006. These items enable people with diagnosed mental conditions to access services from a range of mental health services providers, including psychologists.
For details about the Better Access to Mental Health Care and other initiatives go to: Better access to mental health care
These Medicare items are part of a government initiative that assists people living with a chronic and/or complex medical illness. Medicare rebates are available for treatment from allied health professionals who are assisting in managing the illness.
For details about the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Medicare items go to: Chronic Disease Management
People who are not eligible for Medicare psychology services might still be able to receive a rebate from their private health insurance fund, if they are covered for psychology services. You will need to check your eligibility with your private health fund. Transformative Psychology psychologists are registered with the major private health insurance funds.
Transformative Psychology psychologists are registered providers of psychology services that are funded by the following third party organisations:
- WorkSafe Victoria
- Transport Accident Commission (TAC)
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
- Your psychologist will discuss fees, rebates and claiming processes with you.
- If you have any questions or concerns about any of these or other psychology services and programs, please discuss them with your psychologist.
Transformative Psychology delivers psychological services in accordance with the Australian Psychological Society’s (APS) Code of Ethics, ensuring that you are treated ethically, respectfully and competently.
For more information about the APS Code of Ethics go to: www.psychology.org.au
- You will be treated with respect at all times.
- Your cultural background and language tradition will be respected.
- You will be given a clear explanation of the services you will receive.
- You will be asked to give your consent for any service provided by your psychologist prior to the service commencing and as it progresses.
- You will receive an explanation about the confidentiality of the service and the exceptional situations where your confidentiality may not be protected.
- You will receive a clear statement about fees for your psychologist’s services.
- There will be a discussion about the estimated number of sessions required to achieve your goals.
- You will received skilled and professional services from your psychologist.
- There will be clear goals that you and your psychologist are working toward.
- You can ask any questions about the service you are receiving.
- Taking responsibility for your psychological treatment and care.
- Turning up for scheduled consultations.
- Informing your psychologist and providing adequate notice to your psychologist if you need to reschedule or cancel a consultation. Please note ‘adequate notice’ at Transformative Psychology means providing a minimum of 48 hours notice to your psychologist if you are unable to attend a scheduled consultation. For further details refer to the ‘Fees, Rebates and Cancellation Policy’ in the Consultation Forms, Policies and Fees section.
- Not attending any consultation in an intoxicated state from alcohol and/or drug use.
- Reflecting on and practising and applying learnings, skills and strategies from your consultations to your life situations between consultations.
- Taking responsibility for working on your psychological / counselling goals.
- Providing any feedback to your psychologist about the psychology service you are receiving.
If you would like further information on psychology and counselling services, please contact Charles on 0438 055 565 or email charles@transformativepsychology.com.au
- Charles provides psychology and counselling services to adults only, including individuals and couples.
- You do not need a referral to make an appointment. You can call Charles directly on 0438 055 565 or email charles@transformativepsychology.com.au
- If you want to access Medicare psychology services in order to be able to claim a part rebate for these services you will need a referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan from your general practitioner or psychiatrist.
- If you are seeking couples counselling please be aware that this cannot be provided through a Medicare psychology service. Couples counselling can be accessed as a private consultation.
- Individual and couples counselling services are offered face-to-face, by Telehealth (video & audio online) or by telephone.
- For information about fees and rebates for professional psychology and counselling services please refer to: 2021 TP Fees-Rebates-Cancellation Policy
Transformative Psychology
244 Malvern Road
Prahran Victoria 3181 Australia
Parking
Parking is available on Malvern Road. Please observe parking time restrictions. Parking is also available within parking lots along Little Chapel Street Prahran. Prahran Station is about a 10 min walk from the practice.
Counselling practice hours
Monday 9am – 5pm
Thursday 9am – 5pm
Friday Telehealth only by appointment
Information/Data from the Transformative Psychology (TP) website is provided for informational purposes only. Transformative Psychology or any of our data or content providers shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
By accessing Transformative Psychology’s website, a user agrees not to redistribute the information found therein. Transformative Psychology provides links to select resources or companies for your convenience only.
Transformative Psychology does not endorse or recommend the services or resources of any company. None of the website’s information is a substitute for psychological support or treatment provided by a qualified and registered mental health professional.
Special thanks to Tony Kambourakis for some of the nature images on this website.
