Counselling Service in Melbourne. Counsellor / Family Therapist

FAQ-
Frequently Asked Questions

Q:What type of problems do you help people with?
A: I help people with most types of problems, but I do not diagnose
'psychological problems' and can not prescribe medicine. I do collaborate
with client's GPs, or psychiatrists, as needed. I am specialised in trauma,
family issues, parenting difficulties, child/adolescent's concerning behaviour,
anger management, anxiety, depression, and helping people with separation
and divorce.

Q: What type of counselling do you practice?
A: There are many different counselling approaches and I understand it can
be confusing to people. I use a variety of theoretical frameworks in my work,
which include: systems theory, trauma theory, solution focused therapy,
structural therapy, strategic therapy, narrative therapy, single session therapy,
art therapy, and play therapy. I am happy to talk to you more about what
these theories are and how they are used. I tailor my work to individual
clients, couples, and families. You can read more about my counselling
approach in the About Kate page.

Q: What is Family Therapy?
A: Family Therapy basically means that the individual person is seen to be
part of a larger family system, and the whole system is examined to address
presenting problems. I believe even when an individual family member has a
problem (e.g. A parent with a mental illness or a child with difficulties at
school) it still has an impact on their family, and their family can also be a
key factor in the treatment. Sometimes a family may view an individual as
having "the problem" and it turns out there is a lot more going on and "the
problem" is viewed later on as something else altogether. I approach the work
with an open mind and avoid labelling anyone as having "the problem" or
being "the problem".

Q: How does Family Therapy work?
A: The way that I practice Family Therapy is dependant on each unique
family. I often will work with different family members at different points in
the work for strategic reasons. Options for family therapy sessions include:
the whole family together, individuals within the family, or any combination
of family members together. The counselling may shift in focus from any of
these for strategic reasons.
It all depends on what is going on in the family and what I, and the family,
believe to be helpful and purposeful. I often will ask at the end of the
session who would best benefit from the next session. The counselling would
be renegotiated as needed and the plan for types of sessions would be made
together. This work is carefully done in a way that respects confidentiality of
individuals in the family. Work is also done to establish trust so important
issues can be shared and worked on together in a supportive way.

Q: What if I can't get my partner or children to go to
counselling?
A: This is a common issue for families and I recommend doing individual
counselling to start with, or family counselling with anyone willing to go.
Often the 'resistant' family members will become curious or begin to trust the
process if they hear of, or see, positive results. If I come to your home for the
counselling work, those family members may soften a bit when they meet me,
and think I am to be trusted, and may decide to join in the session. This has
often happened in my work.

Q: When you see children or adolescents on their own, how do
you keep the parents in the loop?
A: The way that I work is very inclusive and I believe it is crucial for
parents to be part of the treatment plan and counselling work. When I see
children individually, I always include some work with the parent/s, and
sometimes the family, if needed. I am very careful to maintain
confidentiality of all family members (unless someone is at risk of being hurt
and other legal limits to confidentiality).
Child/Adolescent counselling process:
Parents are informed of the issues worked on and how they can help.

Q: What if a child or other family member tells you something
they don't want you to share?
A: Both with family therapy and child or adolescent therapy, the counselling
respects confidentiality, and also is focused on being inclusive with family
members regarding valuable and necessary issues. Any sensitive issues are
worked through first with the individual, and a plan is made with them on a
comfortable and safe way to share any important aspects with other family
members, if needed.

The emotional and physical safety of all family members is carefully
considered, and attended to, throughout the counselling work. Often a child
or adolescent will work through their fears or discomfort with me, and then
feel able to share with others, perhaps with certain conditions to help them
feel safe (e.g. First talking to a particular parent, then others or having me
talk on their behalf).


		counselling, counsellor, family therapy, family counsellor, psychologist, parenting, child counselling, adolescent counselling, individual counselling, depression, trauma, anxiety, child, divorce, separation, stress management, yarra ranges, eastern region, east, melbourne, Australia.

Therapy Works Therapeutic Counselling and Workshops for Adults, Children, and Families offers a range of services by a highly qualified and experienced Family Therapist in Melbourne, Australia. Kate Altizer, Family Therapist. Post Graduate Diploma in Family Therapy, BA Psychology. Clinical Member of VAFT ( The Victorian Association of Family Therapists ) Based in outer eastern Melbourne, Australia, at the foothills of The Dandenongs in the Yarra Ranges, Therapy Works is more than a local counselling service. It also offers workshops across Melbourne, Australia, and phone counselling for clients in or out of the Melbourne area, including internationally. I also provide Single Session Therapy, which is a one off session with no commitment for ongoing counselling. Counselling is available for individual adults, children, or adolescents, as well as for couples and families. I provide counselling in rooms in Upwey and Belgrave, or in client's homes in the Outer Eastern region, as negotiated (with no additional charge for local areas and a travel fee for further areas). Evening and weekend appointments are available at no extra charge. I can also provide phone counselling for people who are outside the local area and will use my phone to ring clients for our phone appointments, with no extra charge, across Australia and even for other countries. My phone counselling fees are lower than in person fees, which makes the counselling more affordable as well as convenient. Therapeutic workshops are also on offer across Melbourne, both on weekdays and weekends, to suit different schedules. Click on the link: workshops. Currently I am offering two workshops on separation and divorce, for parents, and for those without children. I am also keen to run workshops on other topics that people express an interest in, so please feel free to respond to the feedback questionnaire on the workshops page. Throughout this website you can click on underlined text to go to linked web pages. I have been counselling people since 1997 and have helped countless families and individuals. Read more about my professional experience and counselling practices on the About Kate page. I believe in providing supportive and effective counselling in a safe and nurturing environment. I empower clients to identify problems with renewed clarity and shift any patterns that may be keeping them stuck in unhappy situations or feelings. I am non- judgemental, non-blaming, and highly respectful with all clients, am creative and dynamic in approach, and I use a variety of therapeutic interventions, strategies, and techniques. I am careful to ensure clients are: Comfortable with the therapeutic work Informed about the purpose of various therapeutic interventions and given the choice as to whether they wish to use them Encouraged to give honest feedback about the work (I believe that such feedback helps to make sure I am 'on the right track' and that the work is indeed helping) Given important information about the issues they face, in the form of handouts, literature, mapping of patterns, reference to services, books/websites, etc. Therapy Works is currently offering the following services: * Individual Counselling for adults, children and adolescents. * Relationship Counselling * Family Therapy * Single Session Therapy or Ongoing Sessions * In-Home Sessions for Outer Eastern Melbourne * In-office sessions Rooms in Belgrave and Upwey * Phone Counselling Australia wide, USA, UK, NZ, Canada, and other countries. Therapy works will call you to save you long distance charges if you are outside of Melbourne. By appointment only. * Workshops on Separation and Divorce around Melbourne * Internet Therapy Live Chat or Email


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