We offer Couples Therapy, Individual Therapy, Family Counselling and Adolescent Therapy. Our therapists specialise in various therapeutic approaches, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Person-Centred Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and Mindfulness-based techniques.

Sessions typically last one hour, though longer sessions are available if needed.

How do I book a counselling session?

To book a session, please visit the Clinicians tab on our website and choose your preferred clinician. Under their profile, click “Book with your clinician.” You’ll be able to view their calendar and book an appointment online at a time that suits you. Please note that a 50% deposit is required to secure your booking.

 Our reception area is located at 256 Stanmore Road, Stanmore, NSW, 2040

Yes, we offer online counselling via video or phone sessions. Please let us know when booking if you prefer an online session.

Yes, your sessions are completely confidential. We follow strict privacy standards to ensure that your personal information is protected. All sessions are conducted in a secure environment, either in-person or online.

We are registered with several private health funds. Please check with your clinician first to confirm whether they are registered, as not all of our clinicians are approved providers for private health fund cover.

Some of our clinicians are currently registered with Bupa and ARHG. We recommend contacting your specific health fund to confirm whether counselling services are covered under your individual plan.

A 50% deposit is required to secure all appointments for both new and existing clients. This deposit acts as a call-out fee for your counsellor.

If you cancel or reschedule on the same day of your appointment, the deposit will be forfeited, unless there are serious or unforeseen circumstances.

As we do not operate a waiting list, last-minute cancellations or reschedules prevent other clients from accessing timely support. This policy helps ensure fairness and respect for both our clinicians’ time and other clients seeking appointments.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Paula Barham

Principal Counsellor

Flat Fee: $250 for a one-hour session.

Other Therapists

Standard Cost: $180 for a one-hour session (includes both individual and couples therapy).

After-Hour Fee: An additional $20 applies for sessions after 5 PM, on weekends, or outside standard hours.

Session Duration: All sessions are 60 minutes.

Unfortunately, Medicare does not currently offer rebates for counselling sessions. However, we strive to keep our services affordable and competitive.

If you miss a session without notice, you will be charged for the full cost of the appointment. Please refer to our cancellation policy for more details.

During your first session, the therapist will take time to get to know you, understand your goals, and discuss how therapy can best support you. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns.

Confidentiality is an important part of couples therapy. What is discussed in sessions is kept private and handled in accordance with professional and legal guidelines.

Because couples therapy involves more than one person, confidentiality works slightly differently than in individual therapy:

Information shared during joint sessions is confidential to the couple as a unit.

If one partner requests an individual session, this will be discussed openly.

I do not keep ongoing “secrets” from one partner that directly impact the relationship or the therapeutic process.

If a partner shares something individually that affects the relationship (e.g., an affair, major financial decision, or intention to separate), we will work toward supporting safe and appropriate disclosure.

We accept credit card payments through our online Fresha booking system. 50% Payment is due at the time of booking to secure your session.

The number of sessions varies depending on your individual needs and goals. Some clients benefit from just a few sessions, while others may need ongoing support. Your therapist will work with you to determine the right plan for your journey.

Please note: Sydney Wide Counselling does not provide crisis or emergency services. If you require urgent assistance, contact Triple Zero (000), Lifeline (13 11 14), or the NSW Mental Health Line (1800 011 511).

Sydney Wide Counselling Service is committed to protecting your personal information. All information shared with us is handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.

Confidentiality is central to creating a safe therapeutic space. Our counsellors adhere to strict professional codes of ethics, ensuring that both session content and personal information collected during intake are kept secure and private.We have appropriate systems and safeguards in place to protect your information at all times.

You don’t have to be in crisis to seek help. Couples often come to therapy when they notice:

Repeated arguments about the same issues

Emotional distance or lack of intimacy

Trust concerns or infidelity

Parenting conflicts

Communication breakdown

Feeling more like housemates than partners

Early support often leads to better outcomes.

In the first session, we explore:

Your relationship history

Current concerns

Patterns of conflict

Strengths in the relationship

Your goals for therapy

You’ll both have the opportunity to speak and feel heard in a balanced, respectful environment.

Ideally, yes. Relationship therapy works best when both partners are willing to participate. However, if your partner is not ready, you can still attend individually to gain clarity, skills, and insight into the relationship dynamics.