What to Expect in Your First Counselling Session

What to expect in your first counselling session with Celia Dunsmore — a relaxed conversation at your own pace. No referral needed. Medicare rebates apply.

No referral needed · At your pace · Medicare provider · Confidential

Your first session with Celia Dunsmore is a relaxed, 50-minute conversation — not an assessment you can pass or fail. There's nothing to prepare, no forms to fill in beforehand, and nothing you're required to talk about. Sessions cost $225.57, reduced to $136.07 after the Medicare rebate of $89.50 with a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP.

Most people feel nervous before their first session. That's not a sign something is wrong — it's a sign you're doing something that matters. It usually settles within the first few minutes.

Before your first session

  1. You reach out — call or text 0438 593 071, or send the short contact form. No referral is needed to get started.
  2. A free 15-minute phone chat — a relaxed conversation, no video and no forms, where you can ask questions and get a feel for whether working together seems right. No commitment needed.
  3. Book a time that suits — in person in Brunswick or Coburg, or via telehealth from home, with day, evening and weekend appointments available.

Planning to claim the Medicare rebate? You'll need a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP — Celia can explain how that works during your free chat. See fees & Medicare details.

During the session — what it's actually like

The first session is mostly about getting to know each other. Celia will ask what's brought you in, what's been happening lately, and what you'd hope could be different. There's no interrogation and no clipboard-style checklist — just a careful, unhurried conversation.

Right at the start, Celia explains confidentiality and its limits in plain language, so you know exactly where you stand before you share anything. From there, you decide what to talk about and how deep to go. Some people arrive with a lot to say; others don't know where to begin. Both are fine.

  • You set the pace — share only what feels comfortable
  • Nothing you're required to talk about
  • Confidentiality explained clearly at the start
  • Time at the end to decide together what happens next

The practical details

  • What to bring: nothing is required. If you're claiming the Medicare rebate, bring your Medicare card and your GP's referral.
  • In person or online: rooms in Brunswick and Coburg, or telehealth from home. Arrive a few minutes early — or settle into a quiet spot for video.
  • Time and cost: 50 minutes. $225.57 per session, reduced to $136.07 after the $89.50 Medicare rebate with a care plan, for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.

After the first session

There's no obligation to continue. Towards the end of the session, you and Celia will talk honestly about whether working together feels right, and — if it does — what a rhythm of sessions might look like for you. Some people come weekly for a while; others space sessions out. It's shaped around you, not a formula.

Research consistently shows the relationship between you and your counsellor is one of the strongest predictors of counselling being helpful — which is why Celia makes space for you to feel it out before committing to anything. And if you decide counselling isn't for you right now, that's a legitimate outcome too. The door stays open.

Common questions about the first session

Do I need a referral to book a first session?
No — you can book directly with Celia, no referral required. To claim the Medicare rebate of $89.50 per session, you'll need a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP.
What actually happens in the first session?
It's mostly about getting to know each other. Celia asks what's brought you in and what you'd like to be different. You share only what feels comfortable.
What if I don't know what to say, or get emotional?
Both are completely normal. Celia will gently guide the conversation, and tears are never a problem in counselling.
How long is a session and what does it cost?
Sessions are 50 minutes and cost $225.57 — reduced to $136.07 after the $89.50 Medicare rebate with a Mental Health Care Plan.
What if it doesn't feel like the right fit?
That's okay. The free 15-minute phone chat exists partly so you can feel this out first, and you're free to stop at any time.

Ready when you are

Start with a free 15-minute phone chat. Call or text 0438 593 071, or send a short message via the contact page — whichever feels easiest.

Medicare provider · Confidential · No pressure, no obligation

In-person locations | Telehealth | Fees & Medicare | Book a free chat