Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL INFORMATION

  1. Is Islamic counselling only for Muslims?
    No. I do work with non-Muslims and people of no faith. Feedback from clients, particularly those that follow a particular faith, indicates they value the therapeutic space where they can speak freely about themselves, their lives, their faith and their spirituality – something they have not found in other modalities that do not connect with their spiritual identity.

  2. Where are you located?
    I work from several locations:

    • Face-to-face: Liverpool (main location), Bankstown-Canterbury (ad-hoc), including outdoor locations (by pre-approved appointment only).
    • Australia-wide and international: via Online and In-person for Sydney clients may be an option.

    Bookings can be made via the booking link here.

  3. Are you open after hours or on the weekends?

    Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm (AEST time); and weekends and weeknights by special arrangement.

    Please email to arrange times outside those available on the online booking system.

  4. Are You Licensed To Provide Mental Health Or Psychological Services?
    No. I do not provide licensed mental health or psychological services.

ABOUT MY APPOINTMENT

  1. What happens in my first appointment?
    Your first session is an assessment. I will direct the session and will ask you a range of questions in relation to your background, current difficulties and what brought you to seek support. We will also determine your goals for treatment and discuss treatment options.

    Often the first session will give you a real sense of me as a counsellor, my style and my therapeutic approach. You might want to prepare a list of questions before your assessment to assist in understanding the therapeutic treatment process.

  2. I have my child booked in for an appointment. What will happen in their sessions ?
    Research has shown that children can benefit from receiving therapy.

    It is important for me to initially have a parent session independent of the child to assess the current concerns of the child from the parent’s perspective, gather background information and determine goals and treatment options for the child.

    Depending on the child’s age, development, and abilities, sometimes it is encouraged for parents to attend their child’s appointment. This is to assist the child to engage with the counsellor and support their engagement with the therapeutic activities. It is also a great opportunity for parents to be involved in the therapeutic process.

    Older children can have part or all of their appointments alone. You and your child will need to give your consent for this. But even when older teenagers have appointments on their own, they might still want you there sometimes. However, I recommend that to have an effective session parents should not be present during the interview unless the child specifically gives permission or requests it. And we can agree as a parent you are to be informed only, if the child is at risk.

REFERRALS, FEES, MEDICARE AND PRIVATE INSURANCE

  1. What Is The Price For A Session?
    Please refer to details of our Pricing here.

  2. Medicare Rebates and Mental Health Treatment Plans
    The Medicare rebate does not apply to the counselling services we offer. This also means you do not need a mental health care plan from your General Practitioner (GP) to make an appointment with me.

    If you are experiencing financial difficulty, you may be entitled to our concession rates.

    If the concession rates do not apply, please send me an email outlining your position and what investment you are able to make. 

  3. Private Health Insurance Rebates
    I do not accept insurance at this time.

    Some private health funds do cover sessions, however, you need to find this information out directly from your private health fund/policy.

    If you have ‘extras’ private health insurance you may be eligible to claim rebates for counselling sessions.

    Each health insurance package is different and rebates depend on extras cover schemes which can change over time, therefore, we recommend that you check with your insurer about rebate amounts.

    If your session is covered by private health, your invoice will still need to be paid in full prior to your appointment commencing and claimed back through your insurer. I can offer a receipt with appropriate details for you to request reimbursement from your insurance carrier if applicable.

    Note: You cannot claim both the Medicare rebate and private health insurance.

     

  4. How do you take payment?

    I accept payment via transfer, cash, debit or credit card, and PayPal (and other contactless payments).

    Nafs Counselling is not a bulk billing practice. Your session fees need to be paid in full prior to your appointment commencing via the Power Diary booking system (automatic online payment system).

    If you would prefer to directly transfer funds, this can be arranged. An invoice will be emailed before your session with strict 24-hour payment terms.

    Please note, cash is not accepted as a payment method for online services. If in-person please have the exact amount ready.

  5. Do you see clients through workcover, ndis, tac, victims of crime, employee assistance programs or other third-party organisations?
    No, Nafs Counselling doesn’t see these clients currently.

  6. Do you do one-off assessments or court reporting?
    No, Nafs Counselling does not provide one-off assessments or court reports.

WHAT TO EXPECT WITH TELEHEALTH/ E-THERAPY?

  1. What is Telehealth or e-therapy?
    Teletherapy, or Telehealth, is an effective, online method to provide new and ongoing sessions. I also offer phone sessions for those who prefer this method.

    Nafs Counselling services all of Australia and International via telehealth.

    If in-person is the preferred option, locations are in Sydney’s South West and Sydney’s inner West. Email to find appropriate suburb locations.

  2. How does a telehealth psychology appointment differ from an in-person appointment?
    Telehealth is the delivery of counselling appointments virtually to you in the comfort and privacy of your own space. It allows you to communicate with me virtually using a mobile device and a secure internet connection.

    Booking an appointment, receiving, and replying to appointment confirmations, accessing your appointment and meeting with me is all done through technology-based types of communication.

  3. What are the benefits of telehealth compared to a face-to-face appointment?
    • Increase access to our services domestically and globally when it is difficult to access local services, so you can start therapy sooner.
    • Providing services in your home or other environments (e.g. at school) with familiar surroundings, toys and routines. Children may be more willing to talk or open up if they are in a place they feel comfortable.
    • Providing a convenient alternative to face-to-face therapy
    • Avoiding cancellation fees and supporting the continuation of therapy service support when you or your child, another family member, or one of our therapists has a minor health condition (e.g. runny nose) or has another barrier to making a clinic appointment (e.g. difficulties with babysitting for siblings, or transport).
    • Eliminating health and safety risks such as exposure to COVID-19, low-immunity, and anxiety.
    • Eliminating travel times and costs, allowing more time for you and your family.

  4. How do you connect to the appointment?
    24 hours prior to your appointment you will be emailed a link.

    At the time of your appointment simply click on the link and this will connect you to your online session and counsellor.

  5. What technology do you use?
    Nafs Counselling uses a web-based system called Power Diary. Power Diary is a complete practice management system, designed specifically for health practitioners and their clients. Power Diary does not require you to download any software. Click here for any Troubleshooting issues.

  6. What equipment is needed?
    • A high-speed internet connection is best.  Try and have only the teletherapy session running on the computer and close out any other browser tabs or apps. During the teletherapy session, please refrain from heavy internet use (i.e. video streaming) by other people in your household.
    • Ideally you should use a desktop or a laptop.
    • Tablets or phones will work but it may be more difficult to set those up.
    • You will need a webcam and speakers (usually built into your computer).
    • Headphones are optional.
    • Box of Tissues
    • Bottle or cup of water, tea, or coffee.
    • Pen and Paper.

  7. How do I set up my space for an appointment? 
    If possible, try to find a quiet place with minimal to no distractions.  Have a simple background behind you such as a plain wall.  Avoid sitting with back to the window because the bright light will make it hard to see you. Test the video camera angle out so you can see if the camera is showing you clearly.

  8. What pre-appointment instructions should be followed?
    We have included a pre-appointment checklist to help you prepare for your appointment.

ART THERAPY SESSIONS -COMING SOON!

  1. How do I prepare for online sessions?
    Prior to the first session we will explore your goals for art therapy, and discuss how the next sessions will work. You may prefer to use your own art materials, or we will make a plan for me to send (Australia only) an art pack to you (one-off charge included in session price). We will need to leave enough time for the art materials to be delivered for the session appointment.

  2. What do I need for my online art therapy session?
    For a online session you will need a computer/device with video/audio capabilities, access to the internet, and a private space where you feel comfortable to talk and express yourself freely.

    For art therapy you will need space for art making, if space is limited we can discuss art material options that accommodate a smaller space.

  3. What to expect in an individual session.
    In our first session it’s important that together we create a space where you feel safe and comfortable. The session is for you and about you, which means you set the pace and let me know what your needs are, what you like and don’t like. So during the first session we would spend time getting to know each other, and discussing what to expect from art therapy.

    The session is divided in 3 parts: Checking in, Art Making and exploring the art work.
    1. At the start of the session we check in, find out what has been going on for you, and what is on your mind.
    2. Art making is about the process and expressing what you’re feeling, not focusing on a finished product.
    3. We then sit together and reflect on the art making process and what is contained in the art work.

OUTDOOR SESSIONS -COMING SOON!

  1. What are your outdoor sessions like?
    Movement Therapy are just as they sound. They are counselling sessions held outside the office.

    Clients have advised that they often feel more relaxed in the less formal surroundings of the great outdoors. This enables them to open up more freely and to feel a greater connection to the therapy session.

    Each session is tailored to your needs including the distance travelled and the pace of the walk. Like regular therapeutic sessions, the sessions are 50 minutes in duration. I will always work at your pace, both physically and emotionally.

    Whilst the aim would be to have most sessions outside, usually, the first session will take place in my counselling rooms. This provides time to discuss what is happening for you, the upcoming sessions and how best to structure them, and to check that we are happy to work together. We may decide that sometimes we will have a therapy session inside. It’s OK to switch between the two.

    Sessions will be tailored to suit your level of fitness. All you need to do is give it a go and if you find that it’s not for you, we can head back inside.

  2. What are the benefits to outdoor sessions?
    Combining walking with therapy has benefits of its own:

    Being in natural environments helps our nervous systems unwind – we know that being in nature helps to quell anxiety and rumination and can soothe the mind.

    • Exposure to natural light and fresh air combined with light exercise carries opportunities for mood benefits.
    • Being in the outdoors with a therapist is also a fantastic place to practice refining your mindfulness skills, as there is ample opportunity to tune into sensory information from all of your senses.
    • Walking may encourage and promote you engaging in additional walks on your own.
    • Being outside and moving while talking about your difficulties can help create distance between yourself and your problems and this can help you relax

    Movement therapy is based on scientific research connecting your mind and body through movement, along with counselling and psychotherapy, you can more effectively move through your problems. Moving and being outside makes you feel good, and these feelings can encourage talking which helps with the therapeutic process.

  3. Where are the outdoor sessions located including the costs associate?
    A 10% discount is available for block bookings (Travel Rates Apply)

    Currently, these sessions are offered in locations across the Sutherland Shire including Cronulla and Engadine as well as locations in Camden, Revesby, Picnic Point and Padstow

Have more questions?

Feel free to contact us or book a session today to start your journey towards healing with Islamic counselling
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