Christine Brett Vickers Counselling and Psychotherapy

About Myself

I am a counsellor and psychotherapist working with individuals, couples, children and families. I am a clinical social worker, with additional training in couple counselling and individual psychotherapy. I have been working in public settings and in private practise in Melbourne for over twenty-five years. I also provide consultation and supervision.

I am a member of the Society of Counselling and Psychotherapy Educators and the Australian Association of Social Workers.

How does Psychotherapy help?

Psychotherapy helps people to increase their understanding about why they may be feeling or behaving in ways that worry them. This may be as an individual or in a relationship.

It is an opportunity to think about underlying problems as well as the more obvious issues.

Such understanding helps to reduce the power of past and present hurts, disappointments and traumas and to find new ways of relating and fulfilments in personal, family and work relationships.

Why seek help?

Psychotherapy provides another set of eyes and ears. It is a time to look afresh at matters that are important to you: whether it be with, or about, your partner, children, work or just yourself.

Many people believe that needing help is a sign of weakness, or that people should and ought to solve their own problems. Perhaps you are worried about confidentiality?

The regularity and confidentiality of appointments helps create a safe space for you to think. Sometimes you may discover there were things ‘that were always there’, that feel familiar: You somehow knew these but had not thought of them. For couples, the presence of a third person sheds new light on old problems. Matters you thought were in the past may be more relevant than you imagined. Every behaviour and feeling has a meaning to be understood as you work with the therapist to sort things out.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Client confidentiality and privacy is observed at all times.

Who comes? What happens?

Generally for couple work, both come. However people can come separately to begin with before deciding to come as a couple or family. Individuals come alone.

I usually have several assessment sessions after which a therapy contract is negotiated. Generally this is weekly. Some people come twice a week. The therapy arrangement is usually open ended, but it may be that a fixed number of sessions will be agreed. The ending of the work is discussed well in advance. You can raise any matter any time in the sessions. The duration of each session is 50 minutes for an individual to an hour for a couple or family.

Fees

I work on a sliding scale using the fee structure set by the Australian Association of Social Workers for private practitioners. The fee will be agreed during the first session.

Making an Appointment

No referral is necessary. You are welcome to call and discuss your concerns prior to making an appointment. Ph 9486 6608 or 0412 633 747.