FAQs
Online IFS therapy for thoughtful people across Australia and worldwide.
FAQs About Therapy
Where are you located, and who do you work with?
A New Chapter is a telehealth psychotherapy practice based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. I work online with adults across all Australian states and territories, as well as English speaking clients worldwide in time zones that fit with Australian Eastern time.
I work primarily with thoughtful adults who are interested in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and deeper inner work. I am happy to discuss whether IFS is suitable for teenage clients with their parent or guardian upon request.
Do you offer online therapy sessions, and are they effective?
Research suggests that online therapy can be as effective as face to face therapy for many people, provided there is a safe, private space and a stable connection. In IFS work, the focus is on your inner experience, which you can access from wherever you are. Many people appreciate the convenience and the ability to join from their own familiar environment.
How much does therapy cost?
Standard individual therapy sessions are:
90 minute session: A$190
60 minute session: A$150
Most IFS sessions are 90 minutes, as this length gives us time to arrive, tune in, and complete a piece of work without rushing. Shorter 60 minute sessions are available where that suits better, and we can talk about what is right for you.
A small number of concession places are available for clients with lower incomes or particular circumstances. If you would like to ask about current fees or concessions, you are welcome to mention this in your connection call or contact form.
Payment is usually made on the day of your session by bank transfer or card, according to the instructions you receive when we schedule your first appointment. We will go through the details together so it feels straightforward.
Do I need a mental health care plan or referral?
No. You do not need a GP referral or a mental health care plan to work with me.
Sessions are offered privately, outside the Australian Medicare system. That means there is no gap fee, and no reports or treatment plans are automatically sent to your GP. What you see on the fees list is what you pay.
What is your cancellation policy?
To keep appointments available for those who need them, I use a simple cancellation policy.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give as much notice as you can, preferably at least 24 hours before your session. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours notice are usually charged at the full fee, except in cases of serious illness or emergency.
If something unexpected happens, you are always welcome to let me know. We can talk about what is reasonable in your situation.
How long is a typical therapy session?
I highly recommend 90 minute sessions. I find that most clients benefit from 90 minute IFS therapy sessions, as this gives us enough time to work deeply. IFS therapy is most effective at a slower pace. For this reason, sessions that are 60 minutes long may feel rushed or end before a more complete exploration or resolution of key issues.
Shorter 60 minute sessions are available where that is a better fit for your schedule or finances. Some people choose to combine longer and shorter sessions over time. We will decide together what makes sense for you.
How often should I attend therapy sessions?
Many people find it helpful to begin with weekly sessions. Meeting weekly supports safety, continuity, and momentum, especially in the early stages while we are getting to know your inner world and how your parts show up.
Once the work feels more established, some people continue weekly, while others move to fortnightly sessions. We can review the rhythm together as therapy progresses. There are no lock in contracts. We aim for a pace that feels steady and workable.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no single answer that fits everyone. Some people come for weekly sessions for 8 - 12 weeks, or a focused season of several months around a particular issue or transition. Others stay longer as we explore deeper patterns in their system.
IFS therapy is usually not a very brief, short term approach. It tends to suit people who are open to working over time. We will check in together about how therapy is feeling and what you would like from it, so you remain in charge of how long we work together.
Can I try one session or talk to you before committing to therapy?
Yes. You are welcome to book a free 20 minute connection call before making any decisions.
This call is a chance for you to share a little about what brings you here, ask questions about IFS therapy and how I work, and get a sense of whether the fit feels right. There is no pressure to book further sessions if it does not feel like a match.
You are also welcome to book a one-off initial IFS therapy session to see if this is the right approach for you.
What approach do you use in therapy at A New Chapter?
My work is grounded in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. IFS gives us a clear, compassionate map for understanding your inner world and the different parts of you that show up in daily life.
IFS is the main framework we return to. Alongside IFS, I integrate elements of other evidence informed approaches when they are genuinely useful. This can include CBT, ACT, DBT, mindfulness, somatic awareness, narrative work, and Solution Focused conversations. These approaches can provide practical tools and structure for specific situations while we continue the deeper work of relating differently to your parts.
What is Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy?
Internal Family Systems is a model of psychotherapy that understands you as having many different “parts” inside, alongside a core Self that is calm, clear, and compassionate.You might notice parts such as a planner, an inner critic, a carer, or a part that wants to withdraw or shut down. IFS sees these as parts of you that have taken on roles to help you manage pain, uncertainty, and relationships over time. In IFS therapy, we get to know these parts with curiosity, rather than trying to get rid of them.
If you would like a fuller explanation of IFS and how I use it, you can read more on the About IFS Therapy page.
What kinds of issues can IFS therapy help with?
In my practice, people often seek IFS therapy for:
• Repeating patterns in relationships and attachment
• Feeling torn between parts of themselves when making decisions
• A strong inner critic or a long standing sense of not being good enough
• Body image and self worth struggles
• Self sabotage, procrastination, or avoiding things that matter
• Overworking, over caring, or difficulty resting
• The ongoing impact of earlier experiences, even when life now looks “fine”
• Anxiety, low mood, or emotional numbness that has not shifted with other approaches
You do not need a particular label or diagnosis to benefit from IFS therapy. What matters most is that you are curious about your inner world and open to exploring it.
Do you offer trauma informed therapy?
Yes. All therapy at A New Chapter is trauma informed.
This means we pay attention to your nervous system and history, and we move at a pace that feels workable for you. Safety, choice, and collaboration are central. You are always welcome to say if something feels too fast, too much, or not quite right, and we will adjust..
What if I am in crisis or feel unsafe?
A New Chapter is not an emergency or crisis service. I cannot provide same day or on call crisis support.
If you are in immediate danger, or feel unable to keep yourself safe, please contact your local emergency services, go to your nearest emergency department, or reach out to a crisis line in your area. In Australia, that might include Lifeline, or Beyond Blue.
Once you are safe and more stable, we can consider whether ongoing IFS therapy is appropriate for you.
Find therapy that's right for you.
If you have a question that is not covered here, or you would like to see whether working together feels right, you are welcome to book a free 20 minute connection call or get in touch with questions.