Counselling that addresses a person's psychological or physical sexual problems. There is no physical touching involved.

Sex therapists have specialist training in how psychological, social, and physiological factors affect sexuality and sexual functioning. Unlike some counsellors, as a sex therapist, I am comfortable hearing and speaking about sexual problems, accepting of people’s diverse sexual experiences, and am non-judgemental. Not all counsellors feel at ease talking about sex so it is helpful knowing you can speak freely with me about topics that may seem embarrassing or awkward. My clients often tell me how grateful they feel to be able to speak openly and confidently about problems they are reluctant to share with others.

I only offer sessions to individual people who may talk about their relationships. For couples counselling click here.

I will use the first session to understand what you see the problems to be and take a sexual or psychosocial history to better appreciate what factors may be impacting you. Together we identify what you would like to improve and how.

Sex therapy sessions are person-centered meaning we focus on your experience of the problem and your ability to resolve it with appropriate support. I believe in the capacity of all people to find strength and meaning in their lives and by working through a range of solutions, positive outcomes can be achieved. The sessions are active, directive, and goal-orientated and require some commitment from you during the process as we explore how limiting beliefs may impact your enjoyment of sexual pleasure.

Sex therapy often involves giving you some behavioural exercises to practice at home and can be a lot of fun! Counselling helps you to build better communication skills which can assist not only in your sex life but in other areas of your life as well.

You may be asked to work on:

• How to better communicate

• Improving intimacy with behavioural tasks

• Your sexuality concerns

• Relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety

• Relationship specific tasks

Research suggests that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people experience higher rates of stigma, discrimination, prejudice anxiety, depression, and psychological distress.

Areas I work in include:

• Same-sex relationships

• Opening relationships

• Polyamory

• Intimacy issues

• Internalised homo/trans/biphobia

• Asexuality

• Sexual identity confusion

• Gender identity confusion

• Coming out

• Internet dating and hooking up

• BDSM and kink

• Compulsive behaviours involving substance use, sex and pornography

• Stigma and discrimination

• Adjusting to HIV diagnosis and other STIs

• Sexual assault and abuse

Sometimes only one session is required to resolve difficulties whilst other issues are more complex and require several sessions. Short to mid-term counselling is suitable for most people and some like to come back for top-up sessions every six months or yearly to check that things are ok with them and their relationships. After our first session, I can give you an indication of how many sessions may be needed but ultimately you determine this depending on how you feel.

Yes. In my role as a social worker I have supported people people dealing with:

• Trauma, grief & loss

• Depression, anxiety, and mental health issues

• Substance dependency

• Family violence

• Psychosocial stressors

• Family & relationship issues

• Low self-esteem

• Body image issues

• Financial concerns

I am legally bound to keep your information confidential and not disclose it to others. There are certain situations however where I may have to share your information so you need to be mindful of this when telling me things during our sessions. Information will not remain confidential if:

• Failure to disclose the information would put you or another person at risk

• It is requested by a court

• You have given me prior approval to provide a written report to other professionals such as a GP or lawyer

• You have consented for me to discuss your information with another person such as your partner, parent, friend etc

Master of Science in Medicine (Sexual Health Counselling) - Sydney University

Bachelor of Social Work - LaTrobe University

Bachelor of Arts majoring in Journalism and Performing Arts - Deakin University

Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers, with a Medicare Provider Number able to offer rebates.

Accredited Clinical Psychosexual Therapist with the Society of Australian Sexologists.

I am the former National Chairperson and Executive Council Member of the Society of Australian Sexologists

As a psychosexual therapist, I am bound by the code of ethics of the Society of Australian Sexologists Ltd. As a social worker, I am bound by the code of ethics of the Australian Association of Social Workers, which ensures I act in an ethically accountable way and I comply with the Health Complaints Act 2016 (Vic) Code of Conduct.

Code of Conduct

The national Code of Conduct sets standards for non-registered providers, who are not regulated under the national scheme by AHPRA.

The code became Victorian law on 1 February 2017. Any possible breach of this code by a non-registered provider may be grounds for a complaint to, or investigation by, the Health Complaints Commissioner.

Providers must:

• Provide safe and ethical healthcare

• Obtain consent for treatment

• Take care to protect consumers from infection

• Minimise harm and act appropriately if something goes wrong

• Report concerns about other practitioners

• Keep appropriate records and comply with privacy laws

• Be covered by insurance

• Display information about the Code of Conduct and making a complaint.

Providers must not:

Mislead consumers about their products, services or qualifications

• Put consumers at risk due to any physical or mental health problems

• Practice under the influence of drugs or alcohol

• Make false claims about curing serious illnesses such as cancer

• Exploit consumers financially

• Discourage consumers from seeking other health care or refuse to cooperate with other practitioners if they do.

If you are not satisfied with our service, please contact us. We take complaints seriously and aim to resolve them quickly and fairly.

If you remain dissatisfied with our response, you may contact the Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC). The HCC responds to complaints about health services and the handling of health information in Victoria. Their service is free, confidential and impartial. To lodge a complaint with the HCC:

Fill out a complaint form online at https://hcc.vic.gov.au or
Phone 1300 582 113 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday to discuss your complaint.

https://hcc.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/code_of_conduct_a4_summary_poster.pdf

$200 for a 50-minute session. Payment can be made via cash, direct deposit, or credit card.

If you have a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP you can claim $85.20 per individual session up to 10 sessions in the calendar year. Members who have extra services cover with private health providers Bupa, HCF, Teachers Health, Unihealth and Nurses and Midwifes Health are eligible for rebates.

If you are wanting to claim a Medicare rebate you need a referral, but it is not essential otherwise. If you do have a referral, however, please bring it to your first appointment as that may assist me to learn more about your situation.

Tuesday - Thursday (in-person and Telehealth) 10:30am-7:30pm