Frequently Asked Questions

How to choose a therapist?

Choosing a therapist can be confusing, especially because there are many different styles and approaches. This diversity reflects the breadth of issues people bring to therapy, as well as the diversity of human survival and flourishing. There is no single answer to the question of how to deal with problems in life, but a good therapist can help you find meangingful, effective solutions that support your development. So when choosing a therapist, try find someone with whom you feel understood and whose approach resonates with you.

What are your areas of expertise?

Anxiety
Depression
Trauma (early childhood, PTSD, cPTSD)
Insecure attachment
Complex grief
Men’s issues
ADHD
Schizophrenia
Existential crisis
Relationship difficulties (see couples therapy︎︎︎)

Is counselling the same as psychology?

Psychology and counselling are overlapping professions and therapists in both fields may practice in similar ways. There are some differences in scope when it comes to administering formal assessments or giving expert evidence in court, but for the most part if you are looking for a therapist to help with a mental health or relationship difficulty, either option could be a good fit for you.

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy involves talking with someone who is trained to listen in a particular way. Its origins are in psychoanalysis, which emerged in the early part of the twentieth century in the work of Sigmund Freud. Since then the field has evolved to include many branches of knowledge. But the core tenets of clinical practice - the value of being heard and understood in a caring, attentive, non-judgmental environment, have remained largely unchanged.

Can therapy help me heal from the past?

At the heart of all therapy is the relationship between inner and outer experience. This inner-outer dynamic begins in early childhood, so returning to this time, with its associated feelings, is often an important part of therapy. This is not to say that therapy is solely focused on the past, but it can provide a way of working through early life experiences, so as to enable a healthier present.

What is your approach?

The primary way that I work is called psychodynamic therapy. This approach focuses on building a supportive, non-judgmental relationship to explore your experience and build your awareness of underlying psychological and emotional factors.

How long do I need to be in therapy?

Sometimes therapy lasts only as long as it takes to solve a pressing issue, which could be a few months. Other times it evolves into a medium or long-term working relationship. This depends in part on the nature of the issue you are trying to address and your circumstances.

Do I need therapy and will it work?

The effectiveness of therapy is well documented over more than a century of clinical research. Of course, there is no guarantee that therapy will always end in resolution, but the vast majority of people who see a therapist find it exceedingly helpful.

Fees and rebates

My fees are $135 for individuals, and $175 for couples. Private health repates may be available depending on your provider and type of cover.

I am a registered provider with St. Luke’s Health, BUPA, Police Health, GMHBA, Westfund, Emergency Services Health, Phoenix Health, see - u by HBF, AIA Health, Mildura Health, Teachers Union Health, Teachers Health, Nurses & Midwives Health, Unihealth.

Daniel Silver

Counselling & Psychotherapy