FAQs

What services do you provide at Little Window?

Little Window is a holistic psychology practice in Brisbane (Greenslopes) that provides counselling to adults, couples, adolescents, children and families. We have highly skilled and compassionate therapists who have experience working across a broad range of issues including but not limited to anxiety, depression, grief and loss, women's issues, men’s issues, relationships, adolescent counselling, parenting and children, trauma, and sex, sexuality and gender-related issues. We also offer clinical supervision and self-care support to other therapy and wellness professionals.

The therapists at Little Window work from a humanistic, person-centred, and relational framework, meaning that a genuine, empathic and accepting relationship between you and your therapist is formed, with the belief that you have the capacity to fulfill your own potential.

We create a therapeutic environment in which you take the lead in the sessions. This approach moves away from what used to be the hierarchical and patriarchal relationship between the therapist and the client, where the therapist was seen as the expert, towards a more personable and authentic relationship, where your lived experience as the client is seen as the most centred aspect of the counselling process.

Our therapy team consists of Psychologists, a Mental Health Occupational Therapist, Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Couple Therapists, Mental Health Social Workers, an Art Therapist and a Dramatherapist. We also have a team of Client Support Team members, all with a Psychology or Social Work background and whom are trained specifically in guiding you comfortably and gently through the ins and outs of the counselling process.

Little Window can provide support via telephone and Zoom and can visit you at your home if you are unable to attend our practice. Click here to learn more about our service and the type of therapy approaches we use.

What training and experience do Little Window's therapists have?

Our dedicated therapists have extensive counselling and psychology experience, working with adults, couples, adolescents, children and families. Many of us specialise in non-verbal types of modalities, such as Non-Directive Child Centered Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Drama Therapy and Sensory-focused interventions. The services we provide are in line with current research in wellness and neuroscience, through ongoing peer and clinical supervision and attending regular workshops and conferences. We believe that our own self-care and well-being is paramount to ensuring high quality care to our clients; this means that we practice what we preach and engage regularly in self-reflection processes as a team, mindfulness and other wellness practices. Click here to read more about each of our therapist's background and experience.

what’s the difference between all the types of therapists at little window?

When seeking a therapist for yourself, there can be a common misconception that only Psychologists are able to support you to work through mental health concerns, particularly with more significant issues. We are here to inform you that this is definitely not accurate! ~ Research based on the efficacy of support with Counsellors shows similar and in some cases, better treatment outcomes than when treating long-term mental health concerns with Psychologists. We as the Directors have been trained as Psychologists, however the majority of our training and experience as Therapists occurred post-study, when we undertook specialised training and developed our own counselling framework and experiences over the years. In our own personal therapy, we have seen Counsellors who have been exceptional and effective Therapists.

We strongly believe that it is a combination of who you are as a person; ongoing mental health and counselling training that aligns with the complexity of the human experience; conducting approaches which resonate and are tailored to each individual client/s; and the Therapist engaging in their own personal work in Therapy, that makes the most effective and supportive Therapist.

Traditionally, Psychologists are trained at university to assess, diagnose and treat mental health, and are taught to use interventions that are more cognitive and behavioural. Some Psychologists can also tend to engage in more short-term and solution-focused work with individuals which does not always cater to the complex nature of the human experience and long-term mental health maintenance. Psychologists are required to undertake 4 years of undergraduate study plus 2 years of post-graduate study or supervised practice to become registered.

Counsellors can become registered through different pathways that can include completing a diploma, course or degree. They have training in therapy specifically in active listening/supporting, working collaboratively with goals, and delving deeper into long-term counselling and psychotherapy.

Psychologists are recognised by Medicare as a governed mental health discipline, therefore a Medicare rebate can be accessed, however this does not mean that Psychologists are the better or more effective discipline compared to Counsellors.

Since the COVID pandemic, Counsellors and other mental health Therapists are being recognised as highly supportive and effective options for therapeutic support and in Victoria are now able to offer support with a Medicare rebate. It is only a matter of time before Queensland and other states will follow suit. 

We also work with a Mental Health Occupational Therapist (MHOT) and two Mental Health Social Workers (MHSW) on our team. Both disciplines are trained respectively specialising in their own fields, however are trained similarly to Counsellors and Psychologists in the area of mental health counselling and support, and focus on holistic support for your concerns. You can read more about MHOT here and MHSW here.

At Little Window, all of our Therapists are less focused on diagnosing and instead, are more interested in a counselling-based, whole-brained and person-centred approach. Therapists are typically drawn to working here with us because they value and enjoy this kind of counselling work, and when we recruit for Therapists, we spend time ensuring that they align with our practice framework of relational safety.

This means that regardless of who you book in with on our team, your therapist will engage with you using a person-centred approach, either short or long-term depending on your needs, and will focus on the therapeutic relationship as the core of the work, which studies tell us is most effective for meaningful and positive outcomes for mental health and wellness.

How can counselling help?

It can be helpful to talk to someone who is not a family member or friend. A Psychologist/Counsellor can provide a space and a relationship that allows you to safely self-explore. Neutral and non-judgmental support is provided in therapy, guiding you through evidence-based strategies and tools to assist you with your concerns. Research has shown that seeking professional counselling facilitates positive changes in the brain - this process alters unhelpful patterns of behaviour towards more helpful patterns of thinking, feeling and being. Counselling can also help to provide you with clarity, and a sense of feeling heard, supported, and understood.

How many sessions will I need?

The amount of sessions you need will depend entirely on your individual circumstances. You will likely get a sense of what regularity works for you. Counselling can be most effective when it is regular and consistent, particularly when you first begin the process. Typically, sessions can occur weekly or fortnightly to start with, and then decrease in frequency as you work through your concerns; however, this is flexible. You and your therapist will assess your needs and situation, and decide together on what will work best for you.

What does counselling involve?

Counselling is a safe and personal process that can involve talking, working together to unpack and explore your concerns, and discovering your own unique ways of working towards mental and emotional wellness. Counselling can also involve non-verbal ways of communicating, such as expressive therapies (for example, art, symbol work, play, and movement), mindfulness and meditation, and learning about your brain and body, and how you can take charge of your own well being. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. You and your therapist will decide together which approach would feel most comfortable and work best for you.

what can the therapy process feel like?

Read here about some insights of what therapy can feel like when you first begin.

What does your therapy space look like?

People often tell us that when they walk into our practice, they feel immediately soothed, or like they are being hugged by our space! We are lucky to be housed in a heritage listed building, with high-ceilings, tall windows, and natural wooden floors. There are lots of cosy resting spaces, filled with greenery, nature-based decor, and comfortable couches and blankets.

Our waiting room is a peaceful sanctuary, and many of our clients enjoy relaxing in this space before or after sessions with a cup of tea. Little Window has seven specialised counselling rooms, each designed with textural and sensory elements to help both therapists and clients to feel safe and comfortable in their environment. Goodbye fluorescent lights and cold, sterile chairs ~ Hello warm candle-light and cosy couches... Want to know more? You can read and see more of our unique therapeutic space here.

What should I expect in the first appointment?

It is normal to feel nervous, worried, emotional, hopeful, or even excited about your first appointment. When you arrive, our friendly Client Support Team will greet you and offer you a soothing cup of organic tea.

Your therapist will invite you into your therapy room, and engage with you in a relaxed, conversational way, to explore what has brought you to therapy, and ask about your concerns. Contrary to stigmatised and media-portrayed ideas of counselling, you will not be pathologised, judged, given advice, or hypnotised in your first session! This appointment is for you to have an opportunity to tell your story, and to have someone be present with you to hear and hold space for your thoughts, feelings and experiences. Your therapist is trained in meeting you at your pace, so you will not feel forced or hurried into talking about anything you are not comfortable to in your first session, or any of your sessions.

The first appointment is about getting to know each other and for your therapist to learn about your world. It is also an opportunity for you to familiarise yourself with the environment, your therapist and the counselling process, and decide whether they will be a good fit for you. It is important that you feel our approach to therapy is suited to your individual needs; therapy is most effective if you feel there is an alignment in values and if you feel a sense of safety in the therapy space and with the person you are working with.

Little Window is unique because our Client Support Team are trained and guided by intuition to match you to the right therapist; we have 15 therapists on our team, all with diverse personalities and approaches. If at any stage during your counselling process, you do not feel your therapist is a good match for you, we welcome your feedback, and can discuss shifting you to a different therapist on the team, to ensure that your experience is a safe and positive one.

During your first session, you may wish to ask questions relating to what to expect, and how your therapist can best support you.

If you are a parent and are bringing your child to counselling, the first session will typically involve meeting with just you, or you and your partner (without your child present) to discuss your concerns. This first session is needed to gather important background information about your child and discuss how we as a team can best support them.

A standard counselling and psychology session is 50 minutes.

How do I know which Psychologist/Counsellor is right for me?

Click here for tips and information about how to choose a therapist that feels right for you.

Do you see children, and what is the youngest age that you work with?

Little Window’s therapists have extensive experience providing counselling support to infants, children and adolescents. If your child is under 5 years of age, we will work mostly with you as the caregiver. We use play and expressive therapies to engage children in non-verbal mediums to assist safe and accessible expression of thoughts and feelings. Click here to read more about how expressive therapies can help with children. Little Window also provides support and information to parents on how to respond to and manage their child’s symptoms and behaviours. You can read more about how we work with parents and children here.

What if I cannot afford to pay the full fee?

Most of the therapists at Little Window are able to provide a significant Medicare rebate or Private Health Cover rebate. Please talk to us about this to see if you are eligible or if you would like more information. You can read about our fees here.

Do you offer Skype or telephone counselling?

Little Window offers Zoom or telephone counselling. Click here to read more about this service.

Does Little Window do home visits?

We are able to offer home visit sessions for individuals who find it difficult for emotional or practical reasons to travel to our practice. These types of appointments are eligible for Medicare rebates. You can contact us if you would like to know more about this service.

Can I contact my therapist after hours?

We are unavailable after opening hours. Little Window is not an emergency service - if you require immediate support, please contact emergency services or after hours counselling services such as:

• Police, Fire or Ambulance - 000

• Lifeline  - 13 11 14

• Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 (for young people up to the age of 25)

• Domestic Violence Hotline (QLD) 1800 811 811

• Mensline  - 1300 78 99 78

• Parentline (QLD) - 1300 30 1300

Is my information private and confidential?

Everything you share within your therapy sessions, from the moment you make first contact, is confidential. No one outside of our practice is able to confirm whether you are even attending Little Window, unless you provide written consent to us that we are able to share this information with another specific person.

The exception to this is if your therapist becomes concerned about your safety or someone else's safety, requiring them to take steps to ensure that Duty of Care is covered. As we work from a person-centred approach, wherever possible and appropriate, these steps will always be discussed in collaboration with you prior to taking action.

Our Client Support and Therapy teams have been trained to carefully safeguard the confidentiality of your information obtained during your access of our service. Considering legal and organisational requirements, our team: (a) make provisions for maintaining confidentiality in the collection, recording, accessing, storage, dissemination, and disposal of information; and (b) take reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of your information if they were to leave Little Window, or cease to provide you with therapy.