Therapy can feel like a leap into the unknown, and it’s natural to have questions about how it works.
This page offers a snapshot of what shapes the process—what therapy is, the key factors that contribute to its success, and some tips to help you navigate your own therapeutic journey
Planting the Seeds of Change
📖 Therapy - Origin: Ancient Greek - “Therapeia (θεραπεία)” - Healing
In my practice, I often use the terms "counselling" and "therapy" interchangeably. But as a bit of a word nerd, I lean towards the term therapy because it speaks more to the healing process, resonating with my approach. Ultimately, both processes center on building a meaningful relationship with a professional, discovering new insights, and fostering personal growth and change.
What Is Therapy?
According to the Psychotherapy & Counselling Fedeartion of Australia (PACFA), therapy is the process of meeting with a professional for the purpose of resolving problematic behaviours, beliefs, feelings and related physical symptoms. Therapy uses an interpersonal relationship to help develop the client’s self-understanding and to make changes in his or her life.
Some key points about therapy:
Therapy usually takes place on a one-to-one basis or may be done in group settings.
The client is able to choose a therapist and therapy style which is best suited to their particular situation.
A therapist and client will normally sit with one another for an hour to discuss the issues which are presented by the client.
The therapy process involves a ‘getting to know you’ period just like any new relationship.
The therapist and client play an equal role in the therapy process. There is no ‘expert’ in a therapy relationship.
The therapist’s intention is to make the therapy process both safe and supportive.
Everything that happens in therapy is confidential, except if your own or another person’s safety is at risk.
Clients have a right to make formal complaints directly to PACFA.
The Conditions Of Therapy
Therapy is a deeply personal journey, but there are a few key factors that research has continuously shown to prove good outcomes.
You Bring the Magic (40%)
Your unique strengths, interests, motivation and a couple of good people (or pets!) in your life make up the largest part of therapy’s success. These personal factors guide our work together.
The Relationship We Build (30%)
A strong therapeutic alliance—rooted in trust, empathy, and mutual understanding—is at the heart of effective therapy. This is the very reason why I invest so much into it.
Your Hope and Belief in the Process (15%)
Therapy is more powerful when you trust the process and remain open to change, even when it feels challenging.
What I Can Bring (15%)
Techniques and interventions help us navigate your inner experiences, unlocking new insights and opportunities for growth.
I hope this breakdown helps you see that while interventions and techniques play a role, the heart of therapy lies in the mindset you bring, the strengths within you, and the trust we build together.
A Few Pointers To Take Or Leave
The truth is, there is no “right” way to do therapy. Still, for those who like a little grounding, below are a few things that may help you settle into our work. You don’t need to remember or follow these — they’re offered simply as support as we begin.
Give It Time
While early improvements are common, lasting change takes time. Many people find that feeling safe in the therapeutic relationship — and building a solid foundation — is what allows deeper work to unfold naturally over a number of sessions. Giving yourself permission not to hurry can be a healing act in itself.
Come As You Are
There’s no version of you that needs to be edited or prepared for therapy. You don’t need to know what to say, how to feel, or where things are going. Whatever shows up — clarity, confusion, resistance, numbness, emotion — is welcome. Therapy is less about presenting your “best self” and more about allowing yourself to be met where you actually are.
Making Space For Feelings
In our work, emotions aren’t something to push through or manage away. They’re often the doorway to understanding what matters most — your needs, longings, and the patterns that have shaped how you protect yourself. Sometimes that means spending time with feelings that haven’t had much space before. We’ll approach them gently, with curiosity and compassion, always at a pace that feels manageable for you.
Going Low (To The Heart Of The Matter) and Slow (Taking Our Time There)
Therapy can feel very different from everyday conversation. There may be pauses, silences, or moments where we linger with something rather than move on quickly. While the stories you bring matter, what often guides our work is how those stories are felt in the present moment. You may notice I sometimes invite us to slow down or stay with something a little longer. A helpful touchstone: halve your pace, double your curiosity.
Productive Discomfort
At times, therapy can feel uncomfortable — not because you’re failing, but because you’re touching edges that matter. We go to these edges as growth often happens just outside familiar territory, and we’ll navigate these moments together, at a pace that feels safe and supported.
Be Gentle On Yourself
I believe engaging in therapy to be one of the bravest, most beneficial things anyone can do. The investment of not only hard-earned dollars, but of emotional and mental vulnerability is significant, but so are the potential rewards. So be kind to yourself on taking such a big step. My hope for you is that we are on the precipice of something new and I’m honoured to walk alongside you.