Our Director, Elissa, and our Practice Manager, Courtney, have carefully selected our counsellors for their professionalism and extensive experience. We are empathetic and dedicated to helping you achieve your goals.

Yes. Our counsellors have postgraduate degrees in counselling and extensive experience helping clients through many challenges and across all areas of mental well-being. They are all members of one of the two peak bodies for counsellors in Australia: either ACA ( Australian Counselling Association) or PACFA (Psychotherapy & Counselling Association of Australia). For more information, please see Three Ways to Spot a Genuine Counsellor.

Yes. We provide counselling to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families on a regular basis.

At Blissful Minds, our counsellors want to work alongside you to build your resilience and coping strategies. Doing so, will help you get back a positive state of mental health and well-being whatever challenges you are facing.

A PSYCHIATRIST is a doctor who is able to diagnose and treat mental health disorders. They usually see clients with more complex mental health disorders because they can prescribe and monitor psychiatric medication.

A PSYCHOLOGIST is qualified to diagnose and treat a range of mental health issues. They often work with clients who have more severe mental health issues such as, depression, anxiety and addiction. Sessions with a psychologist can be claimed under a Mental Health Care Plan from a GP.

A COUNSELLOR is a mental health care provider who uses evidence-based therapeutic approaches to support a wide range of psychological concerns. Counsellors generally take a person-centred approach to help guide you and give you coping skills without focusing on a diagnosis. The majority have formal training, often including a Master’s Degree, and are affiliated with a regulation body (PACFA or ACA.) Counselling cannot be claimed under the Mental Health Care Plan. To accommodate this, session fees are often lower and many counsellors are providers with private health funds.

All these professionals work to support the mental health and well-being of their clients. The difference lies in the approach through which each professional can most benefit a client’s specific concerns. If you think that counselling is a good fit for you, take the first step and get linked in with one of our highly qualified counsellors today.

Check out our News item on “Types of Mental Health Professionals” to learn more. All our counsellors at Blissful Minds are highly qualified, very experienced and members of one of the two peak bodies for counsellors in Australia (ACA or PACFA).

Counselling fees are often less than the ‘gap’ charged by a psychologist, even with a rebate. If you have private health insurance, it is also worth checking with your insurer if they offer counselling rebates. Psychologists often have long waiting lists of several months for an appointment. Sometimes you can have a same day appointment with one of our counsellors at Blissful Minds, provided you are flexible about time.

Each appointment is 50 minutes.

A single counselling session costs between $150 and $190. There is a booking fee of $50 which is taken off the fee for your first appointment. Please contact us for more details.

You don’t need a doctor’s referral to attend our counselling services.

The total number of sessions you have with your counsellor will depend on your issues and how long you have had them. Also, it will depend on how quickly you progress and how confident you feel about stopping. Towards the end of your first session, your counsellor will discuss future plans with you.

On average, our clients come for somewhere between six and 12 sessions. It is difficult to achieve any lasting results if you attend for less that six sessions. Normally, our clients continue their counselling for as long as they feel the benefits. Some clients come back on a regular basis just to check in.

Most clients will start with weekly sessions, then increase or decrease as needed. Later, some move to fortnightly or monthly sessions when they feel they are ready. Weekly sessions are ideal to build skills for things like mindfulness, coping, and communication.

Sometimes there may a very strong reason why you are unable to attend or why you need to change your appointment. But, please remember that your counsellor has set aside that time to meet with you. Therefore, we ask that you give at least 24 hours’ notice.

If you cancel or change less than 24 hours before your appointment, we will charge the full fee for your session, unless we can reschedule an appointment with you for later in the same week.

If you don’t turn up for an appointment and don’t give us notice, we reserve the right to charge the full rate.

You can book by phone, by email or by using our simple enquiry form. For more details, please see our contacts page.

Information in your counselling session is confidential. We will not give any information to anyone without your permission.

However, there are only a few notable exceptions to this: if you counsellor feels your life, or someone else’s life is in immediate danger; if the counsellor is required by law to report the abuse of a child under 16 years old; or if the records are subpoenaed by a court of law.

If you’re feeling anxious about your first counselling session, this is perfectly normal. We are looking forward to meeting you and helping you. Whether you have booked for an adult, a couple, a child, an adolescent or a family, will determine how your first session starts.

The short answer is that you can tell your therapist anything – and they hope that you do. It’s a good idea to share as much as possible, because that’s the only way they can help you.

The main reason for therapists refusing to give their clients advice is that it is not their job. Actually, the role of a therapist is to present clients with a better comprehension of what motivates or causes them to act or think in the way that they do.

It is completely normal to cry in therapy. Crying in therapy can actually be a sign of progress. People often feel uncomfortable crying in therapy due to fear of being vulnerable, believing that they need to be strong or having concerns about being judged.

Counsellors provide support, problem-solving skills, motivation, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as insecurity, relationship troubles, grief, stress management, and creative blocks. They can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the challenges of daily life. Therapists/coaches can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from coaching depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you’ve faced, there’s nothing wrong with seeking extra support when you need it. In fact, counselling is sought out by people who have enough self-awareness to realise they need support. And that is something to be admired. Often, working with a counsellor helps you learn things about yourself and your capabilities you would never have seen on your own. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking help. Therapy/coaching provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you tools you need to overcome whatever challenges you face and lead a happy, successful, life.

People have many different motivations for consulting a counsellor. You may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce or a new job) or maybe you are not happy with your current circumstances and know there must be something more. You may need assistance finding your passion in life or finding the courage to go after it and create a life you love. A counsellor can help provide encouragement and skills to get you on track. You may be at a point where you are ready to learn more about yourself or want to be more effective with your goals in life.

Attending a series of Individual counselling sessions at Blissful Minds can help you to:

• Attain a better understanding of yourself, your goals and your values
• Develop skills to improve your relationships
• Find resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek guidance
• Learn new ways to reframe and cope with stress and anxiety
• Manage anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improve your communications and listening skills
• Change old behaviour patterns and develop new ones
• Discover new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
• Improve your self-esteem and boost your self-confidence

Forgiveness is not for them. Forgiveness is for you. It’s for you to have freedom from that burden that you carry and with it all that hatred, negativity and resentment. By forgiving, you allow yourself to have the freedom from all that heaviness and allow yourself to be happy. If you would like to know more about forgiving and moving on with your life, please contact us. Our expert counsellors look forward to helping you lead a happy life.

Infidelity is surprising and painful. Our couple’s therapists are trained to support you in YOUR experience of this betrayal of trust. They will help you work through the fog and get clarity around your desires and your willingness and interest in healing. Please, contact us to set up an appointment so we can help you make a well-informed decision about where to go from here.

When you learn about an affair, it’s common to rush into making immediate decisions. It feels unimaginable to think you will ever trust, or be trusted, again. You may want to leave your partner, but this is not the time to make such a big decision. We can help you slow down. We will help you understand everything that happened leading up to the affair, why it happened and make decisions about next steps that are best for you, your relationship and your family.

Finding out that your partner was unfaithful creates overwhelming emotions. At Blissful Minds, our goal is to lead you from the pain and loneliness, through the difficult process of sharing, toward a place where you can make decisions from a place of emotional understanding. If you are interested in learning more or booking in with one of our expert counsellors, please contact us.

Chances are, if you’re considering it, you probably needed it a long time ago. Most couples wait way too long to seek help. Unfortunately, the longer you have been fighting in unproductive ways and building up resentment, the harder it is to turn things around. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible by any means but, the sooner you get help, the better chance you have of saving your relationship.

Although there are no guarantees that relationship therapy will keep your partnership from falling apart, 75% of couples who attended counselling together report they are better off for having had the therapy.

Couples counselling can help improve the way you relate to your partner, assist in changing patterns of behaviour and help negotiate difficult periods. Relationship counselling may help you resolve a current problem or prevent an issue from getting worse. It may also help by simply providing a check-up for an otherwise happy couple facing a period of extreme stress or emotion.

However, you don’t need to be in crisis to seek relationship counselling. Many couples go to counselling to better understand each other, improve communication skills and make informed decisions.

Many young couples think that if they need couples therapy before they are married, there is something seriously wrong and they should just break up. This is not true! Having relationship challenges does not mean it isn’t meant to be. It just means you need to build some communication and relationship skills. That is what most of couples therapy is about; teaching you things that will benefit you for the rest of your life – whether you end up staying together or not.

You and your partner can talk about anything that is troubling your relationship. Here are just some of the issues you can address in couples therapy:

• Anger
• Communication problems
• Conflicts about child rearing or blended families Infidelity
• Sexual difficulties
•  Substance abuse

An affair doesn’t have to be the end of a relationship. Healing is possible. Our professional couple’s counsellors can help you address the underlying issues that have impacted your relationship in the past so they don’t continue into the future. We understand that it will feel scary to trust that a stronger relationship awaits you on the other side of your therapy journey. Let’s start your recovery journey today with a call to make an appointment to see one of our relationship counsellors.

Relationship counselling can help partners understand each other, resolve difficult problems, and even help the couple gain a different perspective on their situation. It cannot, however, fix the unequal power structure that is characteristic of an abusive relationship.

We have seen countless couples commit to the healing process and, after hard work, feel closer than before. We know this is hard to believe right now. It takes work and time to explore your relationship and find openings for healing and repair. But, our counsellors will ensure you feel heard and understood throughout the entire journey. They can guide you through this, if this is what you wish for your relationship. Please contact us to set up an appointment so we can help you make a well-informed decision about where to go from here.

Without change, you will become less and less connected to one another, leaving you both feeling frustrated and alone in the relationship. At Blissful Minds, our counsellors will help you and your partner identify the root cause of these negative interactional patterns. With a better understanding of each other, you will draw closer to one another and develop new, fulfilling patterns of interaction. Call now to book in with one of our skilled counsellors. You won’t regret it.

Are you generally feeling overwhelmed with everything? Are you overthinking and feeling as though you’re unable to switch off from your thoughts. Are you feeling low and more tearful than usual. Are you getting angry more easily or struggling to regulate your emotions. If you answered yes to any of these questions, we would recommend that you get in touch to make an appointment with one of our counsellors.

Counselling can help you cope with a mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety or an eating disorder, an upsetting physical health condition, such as infertility. a difficult life event, such as a bereavement, a relationship breakdown or work-related stress.

Feeling anxious every day and never feeling relaxed can affect your mental health. Counselling can help you explore the cause of these feelings, understand them and suggest ways of dealings with situations.

According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (UK), 6 to 24 sessions are recommended for effective treatment of anxiety.

Managing your anger can feel like trying to slam the brakes when you’ve already hit 100 km/h on the highway. As you may already know, the consequences are significant. You may lose relationships, get in trouble at work, lose control when you drink or even harm yourself. If you feel like you’re struggling to manage anger on your own, counselling is an important place to start. Make a change and book in with one of our experienced counsellors today.

People suffering from depression still face stigma as others ‘blame’ them for being unwell or can’t see why you don’t ‘just get over it’. Depression can be a sense of perpetual darkness or feeling numb, but may look and feel different for other sufferers. You are not alone: speaking to someone is the first step to recovery. Our counsellors can provide treatment strategies for you or your loved ones who need help coping with depression.

Blissful Minds is proud to provide counselling for adults and children who access support through NDIS. Our experienced counsellors are aware of the real challenges faced by those with a disability. Equally, we understand that your life is about so much more than your disability. When you access our counselling, you are entering a space of empowerment. Through skill building and insight development, your counsellor will work with you to achieve your goals and improve your quality of life. If you or your child are registered with NDIS and looking for a knowledgeable, warm counsellor to support you, look no further.

Studies show that 90% of young male adults and 30% of young female adults report regular use of pornography. However, Porn Dependence is an impulsive drive to watch porn to the extent that it negatively impacts your life and wellbeing. If you’re struggling with your porn use and not quite sure whether you might be dependant, reach out to one of the counsellors at Blissful Minds.

Yes, our counsellors will work through your issues and assist you to develop positive strategies to implement straight away. Unlike the normal, anxious feelings we get with stressful situations, individuals with anxiety experience more than just feelings of stress and worry. What’s more, these feelings are often ongoing. They don’t go away and can occur for no apparent reason.

For more information, please contact us as we would love to talk with you further.

Here at Blissful Minds, we see a wide variety of queer couples and relationships. We work with queer monogamous couples as well as kink and open relationships of various arrangements. If you’re in a poly or open relationship and looking to address relationship issues such as communication, parenting, or intimacy, our affirming therapists can assist you and your partner(s) to work through these discussions in a safe environment. You and your partner(s) may also be discussing opening up your relationship to another partner or BDSM and other kink sexualities. We’ll help you and your partner(s) address these specific relationship and sexuality topics.

Our counsellors are here to support you as you live your truth whether you are just getting to know your gender identity or sexual orientation, or whether you are coming out or transitioning and seeking help in managing all that brings about. Accepting and living out your gender and sexual identities can be difficult, but having a gentle and informed guide can be empowering in this liberating but scary process of self-discovery, coming out, and transition.

Everybody deserves to live a full, happy life out in the open. Our counsellors at Blissful Minds are here to help you. We offer a safe space to discuss your feelings and our expert counsellors can provide treatment strategies for you or your loved ones who are struggling to cope. If you are interested in learning more or booking in with one of our counsellors, please contact us.

Yes, we provide counselling by phone or Zoom.

Many of our clients believe that online therapy is just as effective as meeting in person. Sometimes due to work commitments for example there is no alternative. Facial expressions and nonverbal communication can be seen in video just as they can in person. Our clients appreciate not having to travel to and from our practice with the hassles of traffic and parking. They also say having sessions online makes it more comfortable for them to open up and be vulnerable.

Yes, that is one of the benefits of online therapy. We will send you a link which you can share with your partner. All three of us will be in a video chat together and we all can see each other at the same time.

Here are some of the issues our counsellors are experienced in dealing with:

• Aggression
• Anxiety
• Defiance
• Difficult Transitions
• Hyperactivity
• Low Self-Esteem
• Low Frustration Tolerance
• Parent-Child Relationship Problems
• Poor Social Skills
• Tantrums
• Withdrawn Behaviour

Child therapy provides a safe space for emotional expression and helps your child to express thoughts and feelings in new ways. It supports emotional healing and growth and facilitates greater capacity for acceptance of responsibility. It will help your child create new perceptions and ideas about the world and boost self-confidence and concentration at school and home.

Our 50-minute sessions are usually held weekly. Research suggests that it takes an average of 20 play therapy sessions to resolve the problems of the typical child referred for treatment. Of course, some children may improve much faster while more serious or ongoing problems may take longer to resolve.

Yes, our counsellors at Blissful Minds are highly experienced in counselling young adults. Many kids are anxious about navigating social groups and dealing with school challenges. Social anxiety during this time is common. Parents often feel powerless to help their teen deal with our stressful world! Our goal is to help your teen see their greatness and grow into self-confident young adults.

We currently have three practices:

Rothwell (11/22 Bremner Road, Rothwell) 

Stafford (6/87 Webster Road) and

Caloundra (Office 3 Level 1 51-53 Bulcock Street) 

Our contacts page has further details including maps.

To provide flexibility to our clients, our opening hours vary among the five practices and on different days of the week:

Paddington

Mon: 9:30am – 7pm

Redcliffe

Mon: 9am – 8pm

Tues: 9am – 5pm

Wed: 10am – 8pm

Thurs: 9am – 8pm

Fri: 9am – 8pm

Spring Hill

Mon: 12:30pm to 8pm

Tues: 12:00pm to 8pm

Wed: 5pm to 9pm

Thurs: 1pm to 9pm

Fri: 9:30am to 2:30pm

Stafford

Tues: 9am to 4pm

Maroochydore

Fri: 9am to 2:30pm

Yes. We can provide workshops and conferences tailored to your requirements at a location of your choice.

Yes. We have developed a range of school-based programs which can also be tailored to meet your specific needs.