Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs About Therapy

Where are you located, and who do you work with?

A New Chapter is an online therapy practice based in the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. We work with adults and adolescents (14 years +) across all Australian states and territories, and also support English-speaking clients living in Asia-Pacific time zones (e.g. Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia and New Zealand).

How much does therapy cost?

Therapy for adults is A$150 for 60 minutes, or A$190 for 90 minutes. Therapy for teens is priced at a concession rate of A$120 for 60 minutes. Clinical hypnotherapy is A$190 for 90 minutes or A$220 for 120 minutes. Concession rates for adult therapy is available for qualified clients. Please get in touch if you have any questions.

Do I need a mental health care plan or referral?

To work with me no GP referral is needed. This means you do not need a mental health care plan to access psychotherapy (counselling) at A New Chapter. Professional counselling is offered outside the Australian Medicare system, so there is also no gap fee. There are no hidden charges: what you see is what you pay.

How long is a typical therapy session?

Standard therapy sessions are usually 60 minutes long, with extended (90 minute) sessions available for adults. Clinical hypnotherapy sessions are between 90 and 120 minutes long. You can choose weekly, fortnightly, or flexible scheduling depending on your needs and goals. All sessions are offered online via Zoom.

Can I try one session before committing to therapy?

Yes. You're welcome to book a free 15-minute connection call to ask questions and see whether the therapeutic space feels right for you. There’s no pressure to continue if it doesn’t feel like a good fit.

What approach do you use in therapy at A New Chapter?

Therapy at A New Chapter is flexible, compassionate, and collaborative. We draw from a blend of Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative Therapy and trauma-informed CBT. Some clients also come to see me for deeper support with clinical hypnotherapy. My focus is always on what actually helps you feel safe, seen, and supported to move forward.

Do you offer trauma-informed therapy?

Yes. All psychotherapy at A New Chapter is grounded in trauma-informed principles. This means we will move at your pace, with deep respect for your nervous system, story, and capacity. We focus on establishing safety, trust, and collaboration every step of the way.

How many therapy sessions will I need?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Many people find meaningful progress within 6 to 12 sessions, while others value longer-term support. You’re always in charge of the pace and goals of therapy. Some people come for a season; others stay for a while.

How often should I attend therapy sessions?

Most clients find it helpful to meet weekly for the first 6–8 sessions. This consistency supports safety and momentum, especially in trauma work, where trust and rhythm matter. After that, some continue weekly, while others shift to fortnightly or pause as needed. There are no lock-in contracts at A New Chapter. We move at a pace right for you.

Can therapy be effective even if I don’t know what I want to talk about?

Yes. You don’t need a script or a plan. Often, just showing up creates enough space for the real issues to emerge. IFS, Narrative Therapy and hypnotherapy all allow for gentle exploration without pressure to perform or “figure it all out.”

FAQs about IFS (Internal Family Systems) Therapy

  • IFS is a gentle, evidence-based therapy that helps you explore your inner world through the lens of “parts.” These parts may carry protective roles (like people-pleasing or perfectionism) or wounded feelings (like shame or fear). IFS supports you in creating space for all parts of you, without judgment, so that your calm, clear Self can lead with compassion..

  • IFS doesn’t focus on fixing or diagnosing. Instead, it helps you build a respectful, trusting relationship with your inner world. Rather than trying to eliminate symptoms, we get curious about what your anxiety, procrastination, or inner critic might be protecting. From there, deep and lasting healing becomes possible.

  • IFS can support people navigating:

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  • Item descriptionAbsolutely. Many clients come to therapy not because they’re in crisis, but because they feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected. IFS is especially helpful if you’re navigating quiet burnout, self-sabotage, relational trauma, or inner conflict, even if everything “looks fine” on the outside.

  • Yes. IFS is a respectful, non-pathologising model that supports teens and adolescents (14+) in understanding the different parts of themselves, especially during identity formation, emotional regulation struggles, or school/social stress. IFS therapy can feel like a sanctuary, not a fix-it shop.

FAQs about Narrative Therapy

  • Narrative therapy is a collaborative approach that helps you re-author the stories you hold about yourself. Instead of focusing on “what’s wrong,” it explores how your identity has been shaped by experiences, culture, and language—and invites space to reclaim your own meaning.

  • Often, anxiety or shame comes from a dominant story that says, “I’m not enough” or “I’m too much.” Narrative therapy helps you question those stories, trace where they came from, and begin to tell new ones that feel more true, spacious, and empowering.

  • Absolutely. Narrative therapy pairs beautifully with IFS, especially when working with identity, grief, and inner conflict. While IFS helps you connect with individual parts, narrative work helps you explore the broader story those parts have lived within.

FAQs about CBT

  • CBT is a structured, practical form of therapy that helps you explore the links between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It’s based on the idea that what we think can shape how we feel and act—and that small shifts in thinking can lead to meaningful change.

  • CBT is often used to support people dealing with:

    • Anxiety and worry

    • Depression or low mood

    • Procrastination

    • Negative self-talk

    • Stress or burnout

    • Problem-solving and decision-making

    It’s also useful for building everyday coping tools—even if you’re not in a mental health crisis.

  • CBT often involves exploring specific thought patterns, identifying unhelpful beliefs, and testing new ways of thinking or responding. For example, if you’re constantly expecting the worst, CBT might help you explore the evidence, experiment with balanced alternatives, and reflect on what changes.

  • Not at all. CBT is not about toxic positivity or ignoring hard feelings. It’s about becoming more aware of patterns that might be keeping you stuck, and learning how to respond with clarity and flexibility, rather than reaction or avoidance.

  • Trauma-informed CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) gently explores the links between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours without pushing or retraumatising. It acknowledges that past experiences shape current patterns, and supports change through compassionate curiosity rather than rigid “reframing.”

  • CBT is one of several approaches to therapy used at a New Chapter. You might explore unhelpful thought loops, track triggers, or develop strategies to shift long-held patterns. But it’s always grounded in safety, respect, and at a pace that honours your nervous system.

  • Yes. CBT can be particularly helpful for learning practical strategies to manage anxiety, overwhelm, or rumination. Combined with IFS and narrative approaches, it allows you to address both the emotional roots and everyday impact of what you’re going through.

FAQs about Hypnotherapy

  • Clinical hypnotherapy uses focused relaxation to help you access deeper parts of the mind, where patterns, beliefs, and emotional reactions are often stored. It's not about being unconscious or out of control; it’s about entering a calm, receptive state where change can happen more easily. You're always aware and in charge.

  • Clinical hypnotherapy is especially helpful for:

    • Anxiety and stress

    • Self-esteem and confidence

    • Trauma recovery and emotional regulation

    • Sleep and health-related concerns

    • Inner child healing and integration
      It can also work well alongside IFS, helping access hard-to-reach parts with gentleness.

  • No. Despite what stage hypnosis suggests, clinical hypnotherapy is a safe, ethical therapeutic technique. You remain aware and in control throughout. Most people describe the experience as deeply calming—like a waking dream where insight flows more easily.

  • Yes. Hypnotherapy can be blended with IFS, narrative therapy, or CBT depending on your needs. For example, we may use hypnotherapy to gently access a younger part, and then use IFS to build a compassionate connection with that part over time. Some clients prefer to see me just for clinical hypnotherapy too. Therapy at A New Chapter is adapted to suit what will work best for you.