What Happens in Session?

First up, we’ll get to know each other. I can’t help if I don’t understand what’s going on, and you need to feel comfortable sharing with me. You’re in control here—if something isn’t working for you, you can walk away. A good psychologist won’t take it personally; we’re all different and may have varied approaches to the same issue. Sometimes an approach might not sit right, or maybe we just don’t gel. If it’s not a good fit, politely bail and find someone you connect with.

Next, we’ll talk about a plan of action. You’ve heard the saying, ‘There’s a tool for every job’? It’s the same in psychology—often, there are several tools for the same challenge. This lets us figure out which one feels best suited for you. Then we’ll set meaningful goals and check in on them regularly to track our progress.

Now it’s time to put in some effort. Yes, it can feel like work. You’ll be challenged to try things you haven’t done before, face what you’ve been avoiding, and truly get to know yourself. Because it’s only when you understand yourself that you know what to work on. You get out what you put in—and most of that work happens outside our sessions, in the real world. Don’t worry, we’ll do this together. Rarely is there a magic bullet that fixes everything instantly. I’ll do my best to keep things moving, but real, lasting change often takes time. It’s absolutely worth it though.

That said, plans can shift as needed. Our focus might adjust, but we’ll always work together toward clear goals we both agree on.

How Long Will It Take & What's the Mental Health Care Plan?

This is a tricky one to answer as there are a lot of variables, however, it’s a fair question—you want to know what you’re signing up for. Here’s one way to look at it: the government has made therapy more accessible through the Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), rebating part of the cost. This rebate covers up to 10 sessions per calendar year, and for me, a general psychologist, it’s a rebate of $96.65 per session as at time of writing. To get it, you’ll need to visit your GP for a chat about what’s going on. This is a win—your GP stays in the loop and can bring in their skills.

Now, I can’t make promises—no psychologist can. Without knowing what’s troubling you and how deeply it’s affecting you, it’s tough to predict a timeline. After a session or two, you’ll have a clearer sense. That said, many people see real progress within those 10 sessions. The goal is to get you back to living your life, not stuck in my office. We’re all working toward that—sound good?

Session frequency varies too. It might depend on your time or budget. I usually suggest new clients start with weekly or fortnightly sessions to build momentum, then space them out as things improve. You’re in charge of the schedule, but if you can swing it, following your psych's advice is best policy.

What Can You Help Me With?

I’m trained to handle a variety of issues, but like many psychologists, I have a passion for certain areas. I work most often with men experiencing:

• Stress

• Anxiety (including OCD, panic attacks, and social anxiety)

• Depression and other mood disorders

• Relationship problems

• Communication issues (including assertiveness training)

• Self-identity struggles

• Social pressures and challenges tied to masculinity

• Substance abuse

• Tics & habits

• Questions of purpose and meaning

• Big life changes (like becoming a dad or moving countries)

• Grief & loss

• Life's many challenges

Not sure if I’m the right fit? Give me a call for a chat. If your concern is outside my expertise—and I think someone else could serve you better—I’ll help you find the right person.

What’s It All About? Why Do We Experience Mental Health Challenges, and How Does Psychology Help?

Here’s a simple model of mental health to get us started—it’s not the full picture, but it’s a solid foundation. For many of us, life piles up, gets tough, and we crack at our weakest spot. For some guys, that shows up as depression; for others, it’s substance abuse, anxiety, or something else. What that ‘crack’ looks like, how easily it happens, and when it hits depends on three big factors: biological, psychological, and social.

Biologically, some of us might be wired for certain struggles—genetics can play a role. Poor metabolic health (which surprisingly impacts mental well-being), or brain injuries from repeated small knocks or one big hit, are other examples. Psychologically, it’s about how we think, handle trauma, regulate emotions, or cope—our personality and habits shape the picture. Socially, it’s family, friends, partners, societal expectations, your financial situation, or cultural norms that weigh in. It’s a messy mix—you can’t pin it on just one thing. And it means you’re not weak or broken for facing a challenge. A lot of this stuff is beyond your control… which brings us to psychology.

Psychology is where we grab some of that control back and make progress where we can. It’s about tweaking how we think, react, and connect with others; improving physical health and nutrition; building self-awareness; and strengthening relationships and communication. These are areas where you can take charge, steering yourself toward a sense of agency and joy (you know what I mean).

What Types of Bloke Do It?

All of them - from students to FIFO to CEO's, I've seen it all. Seriously, it’s normal and healthy. Men face challenges across the lifespan, so no single ‘type’ dominates my client list. All ages, cultures, professions, ethnicities, sexualities—everyone’s welcome. The one thing we share? We’re dealing with a difficulty we’d rather tackle and improve sooner than later.

How Do I Know If I Need Help?

Great question. It’s worth reaching out if you’re feeling distressed or struggling in some part of your life—whether that’s work, relationships, or just day-to-day functioning. Or maybe someone close to you is affected by what you’re going through. That said, you don’t need a crisis to before reaching out—lots of people use psychology for self-discovery or to better understand themselves and their place in the world. Not sure? Just give me a call, and we can chat about it.

Where Does This All Happen?

I’m based at 142 Northwood Street, West Leederville, but I’m not glued to the office. Sometimes it feels better to step out—maybe walk around Lake Monger or do some light exercise if it suits. It shakes off that clinical vibe gives us a change of scene. Sometimes it's good to keep things flexible and mix it up a little, weather permitting. We’ll figure out what works best for us at the time. Want to know more? Check my location, or call me at 0428 217 452 to chat.

What Is Something I Can Do Now (or what to do if you're feeling unsafe)?

There are heaps of online resources to help you understand what you’re going through and offer practical, evidence-based advice and support. Try these:

• Beyond Blue - Free 24/7 support for anxiety, depression, and more via phone (1300 224 636), web chat, or email. Explore their tools and forums at www.beyondblue.org.au.

• MensLine Australia - Tailored support for men with relationship or emotional challenges, available 24/7 at 1300 78 99 78 or online chat at www.mensline.org.au.

• Lifeline - Crisis support and suicide prevention, 24/7 at 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14, or chat online at www.lifeline.org.au.

If you’re worried about hurting yourself or feeling unsafe, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 right away. They’re there 24/7 with amazing support to help you through. Other options include:

• Suicide Call Back Service - Free 24/7 counseling for suicide-related concerns at 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au.

• 13 Yarn - Culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, 24/7 at 13 92 76 or www.13yarn.org.au.

Remember, it’s always darkest before the dawn—reach out, get safe, and take it one step at a time.

What Does it Cost?

Most people get a Mental Health Care Plan that rebates the first 10 sessions of the calendar year which for me, a general psychologist, is $96.65 per session at time of writing (see the question How Long Will It Take & What's the Mental Health Care Plan? above). This means you will be out of pocket $133.35 per session for the first 10 sessions of the calendar year when using a Mental Health Care Plan. It is also worth checking to see if your private health provider offers rebates for sessions.