Issues that might be addressed in counselling

The following are just some of the areas that are addressed in counselling. During the initial consultation, the number of sessions can be estimated depending on the issue or concern. Decisions about referring to another professional can be discussed at any time.

  • Depression
  • Loss or Grief
  • Relationship Issues
  • Anger Management
  • Eating Disorders
  • Mental health
  • Sexuality and gender
  • Spirituality
  • Trauma
  • Abuse
  • Forced adoption
  • Childhood sexual abuse
  • Child or Adolescent Issues
  • Pre-marriage counselling using PREPARE/ENRICH
  • Overseas deployment preparation for aid/development workers, and mission workers
  • Debrief on return for leave or termination for aid/development workers, and mission workers

Many of the concerns in our life involve other people. Whenever possible, a collaborative approach is used, involving partners, friends, and family members when appropriate. Children, adolescents, adult men and women, couples and the elderly are included. The session format could include individuals, a couple, families, or children. When working with children, I incorporate art therapy, play therapy or sand tray. Parents and siblings are encouraged to be a part of the session when this is appropriate.

I am accredited to use PREARE/ENRICH. This is a useful online survey for a couple preparing for marriage, or for a couple who would like to take stock of their relationship.

Currently I am not taking new couples who are in crisis for relationship counselling.

For anyone preparing to work overseas in aid and development, or Christian mission, I have personal experience from living as an expatriate for over 20 years, and I would consider it a privilege to assist in preparing them for such ventures, and for debriefing on return.

Narrative ideas

Many of our problems are the result of social patterns. Using a narrative approach we will discover together how social expectations and family patterns have influenced us and how we can access ways to resist those patterns and expectations.

It starts like this: a problem enters and starts to influences our life. At this time we say, I wonder where that Anxiety is coming from? or Where did that Cynicism creep in? I wonder if I might have a problem with addiction to… Over time, the problem can take root in our lives and we can start to think of the problem being who we are! Now we think things like, I am an anxious person. Or Yes, I am so cynical! That’s just me! I can’t help it. Or I am an addict.

When we use narrative ideas, the challenge is to unearth where the Problem crept in, and begin to separate the problem from the person. You are not the same as your problem. 

You are a person who is struggling with a problem. So what to do?

Using narrative ideas, you will have a chance to explore your problem, its history in your life, its entry points, its scheme to dominate your life and its weaknesses. The effect of society to reinforce your problem will also be explored.

The next step is to identify how you prefer to live your life free of the domination of the problem. Your values, purposes, beliefs, hopes and dreams will be explored. What is the goal? Rather than being dominated by a problem, you will be able to rewrite your history until you see yourself as a person of value who has indeed had a struggle with a problem, but that you are way more than your problem.

Together we will begin to rewrite your story, and identify other people in your life who can support you in this preferred way of being.

Service Fees

Medicare rebates are not available for counselling services, however I am willing to correspond and collaborate with your GP to get the best outcome for you. 

I have provider numbers with a number of private health funds which offer rebates for counselling services where extras are included. Please check eligibility of your extras plan with your health insurance provider.

  • BUPA
  • Medibank Private
  • Police Health
  • Emergency Services Health
  • St Luke’s Health
  • Australian Regional Health Group
  • The Doctors Health Fund

$90 for a 55 minute session for individual counselling or supervision whether face to face or on Zoom.

$60 is the fee for people with a concession card.

$120 for a 1.5 hour session for couple counselling.

Fees for longer appointments for couples or families are available on request.

Counselling services may be incorporated into your NDIS plan. Please contact me to discuss this option.

Fees may be paid by EFTPOS, credit card, cash or bank transfer.

ABN: 59 183 605 814 – Ruth Thorne Counselling & Training

Note: Fees and fee structure will change from July 1, 2022.

Grievances and referrals

If at any time for any reason you are dissatisfied with my services, please let me know.  If I am not able to resolve your concerns, you may report your complaints to CCAA in Victoria by writing to The CCAA Ethics Chair, PO Box 12, Ormond VIC 3204.

Circumstances may arise where in the best interests of the client, a referral to another professional may be advisable. I will discuss such a development with you should the need arise.

Appointment reminder service

An SMS reminder will be sent in advance of the appointment.

There is no provision for childcare, so please arrange to have any children cared for prior to arrival.

Presentations, workshops and publications

Contact me to discuss how I can assist you with a workshop or a presentation on a counselling related topic. Here is a list of some of the topics I have presented:

  • Integrating Narrative Therapy, CCAA workshop, March 2017
  • Transformative stories of self in relationship with God and other. PACFA, CCAA, SCAPE and APECA Conference, Transformation through Relationship: The Heart and Soul of Therapy, Sep 11-12, 2016
  • Counselling in Loss, Australian College of Applied Psychology, 2016
  • Counselling Practice, Constructivist Therapies, Australian College of Applied Psychology, 2016
  • Narrative Therapy, Australian College of Applied Psychology, 2015-2017
  • Cross Cultural Counselling, Australian College of Applied Psychology, 2015-2016
  • Constructivist Therapies, Australian College of Applied Psychology, 2015
  • Relationship with God: Relational Construction of Self: Poster Presentation – 11th International Narrative Therapy and Community Work Conference, Adelaide, 2013
  • Defining Moments – Golden Achievers, Bendigo, May 2013
  • Relationship with God: Relational Construction of Self. Presentation at The Sturt Lectures, Laidlaw College, Auckland, June 28, 2013
  • Depression – Mothers of Preschoolers, Bendigo, July 2013
  • Expectations of a mother. Bendigo Baptist Church Playgroups, Mar/April 2012
  • Relationship with God: Relational Construction of Self: Poster Presentation – Inaugural ACU Psychology Research Conference, Sep 25, 2012
  • The Reformation of a Good Girl. Gilead Counselling Centre Fundraising Event, October 2012
  • Buttons: Dealing with Transference and Counter transference – DRUG ARM Australasia, 2010
  • Counselling Microskills – Australian Institute of Professional Counselling 2010
  • Social and Cultural Competence – Australian Institute of Professional Counselling, 2010
  • Solution Focussed and Narrative Therapy – Australian Institute of Professional Counselling, 2010
  • Responding to Trauma: A narrative approach – Amity Foundation, Nanjing, China, 2010
  • Academic writing skills, including research and essay writing – Christian Heritage College, 2009-2010
  • Assertiveness – Employ Me! 2009
  • Effective Communication in the workplace – Employ Me! 2009

Publications

Thorne, R. P. (2015). From fragmentation to integration: Re-storying professional identity as a narrative therapist. In C. Noble & E. Day (Eds.), Counselling and psychotherapy: Reflections on practice (pp. 203–215). Oxford University Press.