Professional Counselling Brisbane
Heart Wise Minds
Mary-Ann Pascoe
Professional Counselling services to support for a range of psychological, relational and every day human issues.
About Me
Counselling Services Greenslopes
Hello, I’m Mary-Ann, a Clinical Counsellor and the owner of Heart Wise Minds, conveniently situated in Greenslopes on Brisbane’s Southside.
If you’ve landed here, chances are you’re familiar with life’s challenging moments. Whether it’s navigating a crisis, managing physical or psychological health concerns, addressing relationship issues, parenting struggles, or coping with work-related stressors, anxiety, anger, or trauma. I understand how the complexities of everyday issues can can leave us feeling overwhelmed, paralyzed, or lost and exhausted.
Areas of Practice
My areas of practice include:
FAQ
Please email hello@heartwiseminds.com.au if you cannot find an answer to your question.
What are your fees?
Individual sessions: $155 (50-60 mins) or $230 (80 – 90 mins)
Couple / Family sessions: $185 (50-60 mins) or $275 (80-90 mins)
Payment for your consultation is to be made at the time of your session and I accept direct debit and online payments.
What is your reschedule / cancellation policy?
Appointments are scheduled with your needs in mind and are reserved exclusively for you. If you find it necessary to modify your appointment, kindly reach out via email, and I will do my best to accommodate your request by finding an alternative time. Your prompt notification is appreciated as it allows others the opportunity to utilize that appointment slot.
Should you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment, please ensure you notify me at least 48 hours in advance to avoid incurring a 50% fee. Changes made with less than 24 hours notice or instances of no-shows will require payment for the full session.
If you encounter exceptional circumstances, please feel free to discuss them with me directly.
Do i need a gp referral to see you?
No. A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) or referral is not required to see a Counsellor. Counselling services are not eligible for a Medicare Rebate however, you may be eligible for a rebate through your private health insurance fund (see below).
Private health insurance fund rebates?
You may be able to claim a rebate for sessions through your Private Health Insurance fund. I am registered with AHM, ARGH, Bupa, HCF & Medibank Private. Check directly with them for details.
How do i choose the right therapist for me?
Establishing a sense of comfort and connection with your counsellor is vital. Feeling heard, understood, and genuinely connected is the cornerstone of successful outcomes in counselling. This mutual understanding and connection, often referred to as therapeutic rapport, ensure that your counselor truly comprehends your perspective and concerns.
However, while therapeutic rapport is crucial, it is just one component of effective counselling. Your counsellor should possess a diverse set of skills and theoretical knowledge grounded in evidence-based research. Additionally, lived experience, beyond textbook knowledge, enriches their ability to relate and support you on your therapeutic journey.
What modalities do you use?
I integrate experiential and theoretical knowledge with evidence-based modalities to provide personalized counseling services. I draw from a diverse range of therapeutic approaches, including:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Gottman Relationship Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Mindfulness-based techniques
- An integrated Strengths-based approach
- Habit change coaching methodologies
I recognize the importance of talk therapy and understand that each client has unique preferences and needs. Therefore, I collaborate closely with clients to determine the most suitable approach for them.
For clients seeking to address unhelpful thought patterns, limiting beliefs, and self-sabotaging behaviors, I employ a variety of integrative interventions. These interventions aim to identify such behaviors and develop strategies to implement positive changes. This may involve utilizing elements from ACT, CBT, Gottman Relationship Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness principles, and a strengths-based approach, complemented by habit change coaching methodologies.
How often should i attend counselling?
The frequency of counselling sessions is tailored to your individual needs and objectives. Some clients find a few sessions beneficial, while others may require ongoing support over several months or even years.
Initially, I typically recommend weekly or fortnightly sessions. This frequency allows us to establish a strong therapeutic alliance and maintain momentum in your progress. As you advance, we may adjust the frequency based on your development and comfort level. Following the initial phase of therapy, some clients find value in periodic “maintenance” sessions to ensure progress is sustained, while others appreciate knowing they have a support system available if needed in the future.
It’s essential to take into account various factors, including your unique experiences, time commitments, financial resources, energy levels, and your readiness to implement strategies we develop together.
My collaborative approach means we work together to determine what works best for you. I regularly check in with you to assess your progress and preferences, ensuring we adapt our approach as needed to meet your evolving needs.
What's the difference between a counsellor, psychologist & psychiatrist?
There is a degree of overlap among these helping professionals, each with distinct focus areas, training, and expertise. This overlap can sometimes lead to confusion, particularly within the mental healthcare sector, where all three are commonly associated with providing ‘counselling’ services to clients.
Counsellors are trained professionals who utilize evidence-based modalities to support clients facing various mental health challenges. These may include anxiety, depression, daily stressors, childhood issues, trauma, relationship difficulties, parenting concerns, divorce, post-separation parenting, grief and loss, life transitions, sexuality, identity, self-esteem, and existential questions, among others.
To practice, counsellors are required to be registered with either PACFA (Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia) or ACA (Australian Counselling Association). Additionally, they engage in Continued Professional Development (CPD) and Clinical Supervision to ensure they uphold current evidence-based practices.
Psychologists typically possess a broader skill set and operate within a medicalized model, working with individuals experiencing severe or complex mental health diagnoses such as schizophrenia, mood and personality disorders, developmental disorders, and other psychotic conditions. They may also conduct psychological and cognitive assessments. Similar to counsellors, psychologists also engage in CPD and Clinical Supervision and must be registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority).
Psychiatrists are qualified medical doctors who specialize in psychiatric disorders, providing both diagnostic services and prescribing medication as part of treatment. While their primary focus is on medical interventions, some psychiatrists also incorporate counselling talk therapy into their practice.
Both psychologists and psychiatrists must be registered with AHPRA to practice.
