Question 1

Do I need a referral from another professional to see you?

Accepted Answer

No, you do not need a referral from a GP or other medical professional to see Tara.

Please fill out our self referral form to book in your first session or contact us with any questions you might have.

Question 2

Do you provide relationship counselling?

Accepted Answer

We do not provide relationship counselling at this time, however we plan to expand to providing this service in the future.

Question 3

Do you offer in-person counselling sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer in-person counselling sessions at our office in Nundah, Magandjin/Brisbane. This location is accessible via public transport and has free parking available a short walking distance away.

Please note that our office is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.

Question 4

What qualifications do you have to provide counselling?

Accepted Answer

Tara is an Accredited Social Worker & Sex Therapist, holding a Bachelor of Social Work and is a Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional. They have undergone extensive training in evidence-based and neurodivergent-affirming therapeutic modalities which inform their counselling practice. They have experience providing counselling in not-for-profit, NDIS and private practice settings.

Tara is registered with Australian Association of Social Workers,(https://www.aasw.asn.au/) Society of Australian Sexologists,(https://societyaustraliansexologists.org.au/)  AusPATH (auspath.org.au)and Sexual Health Society of Queensland.(https://qldsh-mw.web.app/)

Please refer to their profile (https://www.livingauthenticallycounselling.com/tara-accredited-social-worker)for more details, and a list of their completed professional development courses to date.

Question 5

Do you provide somatic or touch-based sex therapy?

Accepted Answer

No, Tara does not provide somatic or touch-based sex therapy. Tara is trained in evidence-based and neurodivergent-affirming talk therapy modalities and will never engage in touch with you during your work together.

Tara may suggest homework or strategies that involve touch or physical intimacy for you to practice outside of counselling sessions, and in the privacy and comfort of your own space.

For more information, please refer to section 10.8 of Society of Australian Sexologists Code of Ethics,(https://cdn.wildapricot.com/292960/resources/Documents/Policies/SAS-Code-of-Ethics-and-Practice-2014.pdf?version=1558327631000&Policy=eyJTdGF0ZW1lbnQiOiBbeyJSZXNvdXJjZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY2RuLndpbGRhcHJpY290LmNvbS8yOTI5NjAvcmVzb3VyY2VzL0RvY3VtZW50cy9Qb2xpY2llcy9TQVMtQ29kZS1vZi1FdGhpY3MtYW5kLVByYWN0aWNlLTIwMTQucGRmP3ZlcnNpb249MTU1ODMyNzYzMTAwMCIsIkNvbmRpdGlvbiI6eyJEYXRlTGVzc1RoYW4iOnsiQVdTOkVwb2NoVGltZSI6MTc0NTEyMTU5NX0sIklwQWRkcmVzcyI6eyJBV1M6U291cmNlSXAiOiIwLjAuMC4wLzAifX19XX0_&Signature=Bly6xeiXGmMMW~J0GXgqlQQXQ3H~q~qmOYK3cIAGosiTBJOlXykkbyhYjsVzObMyc6vuyECNCaBTIqo23I3Y20tIInqHvlo5b6TmkbS3WJpUdG31UszwU3GFjMvJ-mJL17oDHHLIi2in-n2PLAQ62wZuiUhrClS--gdS0fvxGl0ZTVTV0qLr-h9D7fmpCpc9PeBdtRKHBSKUX1vfCWXl5FO7szCyIkOSDhYbFkfFKFxUV8kU4sOe7GbJHrNEDLWJhIQv1znz0GWGKgcdkc-J45fmk6ABVzl3SYoCuBdGq3W2-4r5siHO5JKMxa6SEG92cTXPSYj7LOTS-dQV08~LUg__&Key-Pair-Id=K27MGQSHTHAGGF) of which all of our practitioners are bound by:

10.8 Sexual Contact

10.8.1 Members must not sexually exploit clients, supervisees or students. That is, a member shall not engage in sexual misconduct, conduct or practices of a sexual or sensual nature, or offer services
that are sexual or sensual in nature.

10.8.2 This includes member/client nudity, genital touch and purposeful sexual response elicitation.

10.8.3 Physical examination and/or procedures must only be performed by a health professional
registered with AHPRA (or state registration board), specifically trained and qualified for the
procedure, and following the prescribed ethical guidelines.

10.8.4 The Society of Australian Sexologists prohibits sexual relationships between members and their clients or any behaviour that could be reasonably construed as sexual.

10.8.5 A Member will not accept, as a client, a person with whom they have knowingly engaged in sexual activity.

10.8.6 If a therapeutic relationship has been developed, the protection of that client’s rights can only be ensured by considering him/her to always be a client. The therapeutic relationship precludes a
sexual relationship between the client/s and the therapist at any time in the future.

Question 6

Do you offer bulk-billed or discounted sessions?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer bulk-billed sessions, but we do offer concession rates for students and low-income earners. Please see our fee structure page (https://www.livingauthenticallycounselling.com/fee-structure)for more details.

Question 7

Can I see you for counselling if I live outside of Australia?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately Tara is unable to work with you in a therapeutic capacity if you live outside of Australia due to insurance and registration regulations.

Question 8

Do I need parental permission to see you for counselling if I am under 18?

Accepted Answer

We understand the importance of young people being able to access LGBTQIA+ affirming therapeutic supports and the safety risks that may be involved with disclosing this to family or caregivers, especially in light of the current political climate. Tara is acutely aware of their professional and ethical responsibilities as a Social Worker and Sex Therapist, and is bound by the Australian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (https://aasw-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AASW-Code-of-Ethics-2020.pdf)and Practice Standards,(https://aasw-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AASW-Practice-Standards-FEB2023-1-1.pdf) and the Society of Australian Sexologists Code of Ethics.(https://cdn.wildapricot.com/292960/resources/Documents/Policies/SAS-Code-of-Ethics-and-Practice-2014.pdf?version=1558327631000&Policy=eyJTdGF0ZW1lbnQiOiBbeyJSZXNvdXJjZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY2RuLndpbGRhcHJpY290LmNvbS8yOTI5NjAvcmVzb3VyY2VzL0RvY3VtZW50cy9Qb2xpY2llcy9TQVMtQ29kZS1vZi1FdGhpY3MtYW5kLVByYWN0aWNlLTIwMTQucGRmP3ZlcnNpb249MTU1ODMyNzYzMTAwMCIsIkNvbmRpdGlvbiI6eyJEYXRlTGVzc1RoYW4iOnsiQVdTOkVwb2NoVGltZSI6MTc0NTEyMTU5NX0sIklwQWRkcmVzcyI6eyJBV1M6U291cmNlSXAiOiIwLjAuMC4wLzAifX19XX0_&Signature=Bly6xeiXGmMMW~J0GXgqlQQXQ3H~q~qmOYK3cIAGosiTBJOlXykkbyhYjsVzObMyc6vuyECNCaBTIqo23I3Y20tIInqHvlo5b6TmkbS3WJpUdG31UszwU3GFjMvJ-mJL17oDHHLIi2in-n2PLAQ62wZuiUhrClS--gdS0fvxGl0ZTVTV0qLr-h9D7fmpCpc9PeBdtRKHBSKUX1vfCWXl5FO7szCyIkOSDhYbFkfFKFxUV8kU4sOe7GbJHrNEDLWJhIQv1znz0GWGKgcdkc-J45fmk6ABVzl3SYoCuBdGq3W2-4r5siHO5JKMxa6SEG92cTXPSYj7LOTS-dQV08~LUg__&Key-Pair-Id=K27MGQSHTHAGGF)

Tara can support young people from 16 years of age and do not require parental permission so long as they are able to deem the young person Gillick Competent (https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/professional/what-is-too-young-children-and-consent-for-medical)and the young person is able to independently cover the cost of session fees.

We welcome parents, guardians and caregivers to actively be on board with supporting their young person to access LGBTQIA+ affirming therapeutic services.

Question 9

Can I claim a rebate for sessions through a Mental Health Treatment Plan?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately there is no rebate available through Medicare for sessions with Tara at this time. Due to this, we have calculated our fees to be similar to the out of pocket that you would usually be charged when seeing a psychologist or mental health accredited social worker.

We are committed to making therapy as accessible and affordable as possible, and we have concession rates available for students and low income earners interested in individual counselling sessions.

Question 10

Can I see you through my NDIS package?

Accepted Answer

Currently Sex Therapy is not covered through the National Disability Insurance Scheme, but you may be able to Tara if your sessions align with your goals and the disabilities listed on your plan.

For example, if you are an Autistic person with Autism Spectrum Disorder listed on your plan, and one of your goals centers around building capacity to form healthy relationships, Tara may be able to see you to work on this goal together.

The line item for capacity building therapeutic social work services is 15_621_0128_1_3 Assessment Recommendation Therapy or Training - Social Worker and falls under Capacity Building > Improved Daily Living funding. Please see our fee structure page for outlined rates for NDIS referrals.

You will also need to be plan or self-managed to be eligible, as we are currently not a registered NDIS provider.