Sessions are usually 1 hour.

First appointments are recommended to be 1.5 hours to help support the assessment process however after this all future appointments would be booked for 1 hour.

Where some clients feel they would prefer a longer session, extended sessions can be arranged. Please speak with Samantha if this is something that you would like to arrange.

Cancellations be made more than 48 hours of the appointment time either via email or phone call.

If a cancellation is made within 24 hours of the appointment a 50% cancellation admin fee will be applied.

You have the option of accessing counselling services privately or through a Mental Health Care Plan which can be arranged by your GP.

If you are thinking of accessing Sex Therapy, you do not need a referral from your GP or other health professionals. However you may be able to discuss a referral being made under the Mental Health Care Plan with your GP because this service looks to support addressing the psychological impacts of any sex-based concerns as part of your treatment plan.

Generally, it’s recommended that sessions occur on a weekly or fortnightly basis to create some consistency in the therapeutic work.

Depending on the nature of the issue, interventions can be highly practical and solution-focused and many people may be surprised that their concerns may feel addressed within a brief number of sessions. 

While there is no limit to the amount of time required to engage in counselling, many people find that sex-based concerns can be resolved within a few weeks or months of ongoing counselling. 

The decision to discontinue with therapy or with a certain therapist is a normal occurrence and you are within your rights to end a therapeutic relationship if you feel it’s no longer serving you.

If you do decide to discontinue with counselling after commencing the process that you let us know in writing.

Where appropriate, Samantha will be able to provide further recommendations for support and referral should that be needed for the future.

Victim Services is a government agency that offers support to people who have been Victims of Crime with NSW. You may be eligible to access free counselling through this scheme depending on the nature of the crime. To learn more visit the Victims Services website here.

Sessions with Samantha will be conducted online if you book in for a Sex Therapy session.

No there is no touch involved in sex therapy. It is a talk-based intervention which commonly draws upon therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Education strategies. Samantha will not ask to see demonstration or examples of the problem being experienced and there will be no touch involved. 

At present, Samantha does not provide relationship counselling. We recognise that many sex-based concerns arise in the context of relationships and are able to support initial conversations and referral for specialist relationship counselling support where needed.

Sex therapy for individuals is proven to work and remain effective. If you are in a relationship and would like to engage in sex therapy for yourself, exercises and psychoeducation can be provided to help you practice strategies with the support of your partner as long as they are also consenting to do so. 

Clients are invited to contact Samantha directly and we will have an initial intake conversation prior to booking our first sessions. After this call, you will be sent across some important paperwork including with an intake and consent to service form and information relating to privacy and confidentiality, record-keeping, cancellation policy and fees.

During our first session, we will spend some time discussing what has brought you to counselling and gather some historical information that may help provide context to the challenging situation. Samantha will be able to offer some reflections about what may be helpful to explore further in the counselling process and we can collaborate on what your goals and needs are from future sessions.

Deciding to seek support for your mental health is a big decision for many and it can feel vulnerable and overwhelming at times. One of the hardest parts about seeking help, particularly if it is the first time, is finding a therapist that works for you and it’s our hope in these first sessions to create a safe environment where you feel comfortable to share your story without feeling distressed or unsafe.