FAQ

Yes, new clients should book online, where you can also find the next available appointment, or call Robin, 0421 224 070 or Adrian, 0401 125 175 for more information.

No, you don’t need a referral.
You should book online, where you can also find the next available appointment, or call Robin, 0421 224 070 or Adrian, 0401 125 175 for more information.

Fees

Individual Counselling — $154 (incl. GST) 50 min
Couple Counselling — $192.50 (incl. GST) 50 min
NDIS Counselling — $156.16 (GST-exempt, 60 min)

Longer 75-minute sessions are available on request.
After-hours evening or weekend appointments have a 15% surcharge.

All fees and any applicable surcharges are discussed and confirmed upfront at the time of booking.

Cancellations & Rescheduling

Life is unpredictable, and therapy needs to fit around real circumstances. You are free to cancel or reschedule at any time, right up to the start of your appointment, without needing to explain why.
There are no late-cancellation fees and no penalties.

Changing Your Appointment

• Use the link in your confirmation email or contact us directly.

• You never need to provide a reason.

• If a time no longer suits, we encourage rescheduling rather than cancelling.
  Rescheduling helps you:

  • keep a future spot secured,

  • maintain continuity as sessions naturally become less frequent, and

  • reduce gaps that interrupt the rhythm of therapy.

• You can still cancel any future appointment at any time, with no cost and no questions.

Our policy is designed to be clear, consistent, and non-judgemental — supporting your autonomy while giving our practice a stable framework to work within.

Refunds

If you’ve paid in advance and the session is cancelled before it begins, you’ll receive a full refund (minus any applicable administrative costs related to your payment method).

Once the session start time has passed, the appointment is considered used and refunds aren’t available. This also applies to no-shows and to any work already completed, such as reports or court documentation.

Missed Sessions

There is no judgment if you miss a session. Therapy simply works best when there’s a regular rhythm. If several sessions in a row are missed without being rescheduled, we may temporarily place your therapy on hold until you’re ready to re-engage.

This step exists to protect the continuity and effectiveness of the therapeutic process — not as a penalty.

Our Approach

You don’t owe us an explanation.
We trust you to choose what you need.
And we uphold a clear, respectful structure that supports both you and the therapeutic work.

Medicare

At present, the Australian government does not permit Counsellors or Psychotherapists to participate in the Medicare rebate system. As a result, Medicare rebates are not available for counselling or couple therapy delivered by Counsellors. (Rebates for psychologists are only available under specific conditions through a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan.)

Our fees are comparable to what clients typically pay after a Medicare rebate, and working independently of Medicare offers several advantages, including:

• Greater privacy: your counselling history does not appear on your government health record.

• Full autonomy: no referrals, diagnoses, or treatment plans are required.

• Flexible support: you may attend as many sessions as you need, without limits.

• Faster access: there is no waitlist, and appointments can be booked quickly and easily.

Telehealth (online video sessions)
Telehealth counselling offers a flexible, convenient and confidential way to access support from your own space. Sessions are held via secure digital platforms, making counselling accessible regardless of location or mobility. This option suits clients navigating life transitions, bereavement, anxiety, depression and other concerns, and provides the same person-centred approach as meeting in person.

We support clients across the Mid North Coast region and beyond, including Tea Gardens, Gloucester, Tamworth and Port Macquarie.

In-person — two Forster locations
You are welcome to meet in person with Robin at 9 Mark Street, Forster, and with Adrian at cnr Kularoo Drive & Trades Court, Forster.

In-person — Port Macquarie
Counselling is also available in person with Adrian at 19 Ocean Drive, Port Macquarie. You can book online or phone Adrian on 0401 125 175 for more information.

Robin Schep

• Registered Counsellor, Level 4 Member, Australian Counselling Association

• Master of Counselling, Torrens University (2024)

• Graduate Diploma in Counselling, Sydney College of Divinity (2011)

• Bachelor of Applied Science (Health Education), University of Canberra (1990)

• Professional member, Melbourne Community for Emotionally Focused Therapy (MCEFT) & ICEEFT

• Professional member, Emotionally Focused Therapy and Training Australia (EFTTA)

Adrian Schep

• Registered Counsellor, Level 2 Member,  Australian Counselling Association

• Master of Counselling, Torrens University (2025)

• Graduate Diploma in Counselling, Torrens University (2024)

• Professional member, Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) and ANZ ACBS

• Over 20 years’ experience in couple relationship support, including pre-marital counselling, relationship strengthening, and conflict resolution, with experience in cross-cultural and faith-based settings.

Yes. We offer counselling sessions outside normal business hours, including early evenings and Saturday mornings. You can book online for an evening or weekend session, or call Robin on 0421 224 070 or Adrian on 0401 125 175 for more information.

Please note that after-hours appointments incur a nominal 15% surcharge.

Yes, longer appointments of 75-min are available by request, and price varies.

See our booking page, or call Robin, 0421 224 070 or Adrian, 0401 125 175 for more information.

Counselling is a person-centred therapy that supports you through life transitions, bereavement, anxiety, or depression, helping you gain a deeper understanding of your behaviours, decisions, and choices.

In-person therapy offers a more tactile experience and direct connection, including the ability to sense unspoken feelings, while telehealth video therapy provides convenience, flexibility, and greater discretion.

Using the strategies most effective for your situation, counselling guides and supports you through life’s challenges. Our approach draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT).

Most people benefit from six to ten sessions, usually held weekly or fortnightly. The exact number and frequency vary depending on the complexity of the issues being addressed, your goals, and your capacity to work with these issues at this time.

In your first session we discuss your concerns, clarify your goals, and agree on an initial plan. We then review your progress together and adjust the approach as needed.

Consistency is an important part of effective therapy. Some people prefer to meet weekly to build momentum or work through concerns more intensively, while many others find fortnightly sessions provide the right balance. We will discuss and agree on a pace that feels both supportive and manageable for you.

Many clients find it helpful to book several sessions in advance. This supports continuity in therapy and helps maintain progress. If your needs or availability change, sessions can be rescheduled, and any unused future sessions may be cancelled.

Yes. Robin works with both private-paying clients and NDIS clients who are Plan Managed or Self Managed.

The NDIS recognises counselling as a valuable therapeutic support for people living with disability. Counselling Solution provides sessions under the Improved Daily Living Skills — Individual Counselling support item (15_043_0128_1_3).

Robin has a long history of supporting people with disability, and understands that clients and their families may have particular needs when it comes to accessing, expressing, and understanding information. Sessions are adapted to each client’s abilities, communication preferences, and goals. Our counselling rooms are wheelchair accessible, and an accessible toilet is available onsite.

Since 1994, Robin has developed training resources, educated disability support workers, and facilitated peer and family support groups. In the late 1990s she served as the Community Development Officer for the Brain Injury Association NSW, assisting people with brain injury to develop practical life skills. Her work has included support around sexuality, relationships, women’s health, body image, abuse, and emotional regulation. Since 2020, she has developed a specialist focus in working with neurodivergent and ADHD clients.

If you would like to discuss your specific needs or whether NDIS-funded counselling is suitable, please phone Robin on 0421 224 070.

• Relationships—Relationships Australia, Psychology Today Relationships, The Gottman Institute

• Headspace Self Help (mental health), headspace.org.au

• General wellbeing, sleep and stress skills—This Way Up, thiswayup.org.au

• CRISIS Call Lifeline on 13 11 14, lifeline.org.au

• Mindfulness, actmindfully.com.au

• Mindfulness exercise—Leaves on a Stream, youtu.be/r1C8

• Fact Sheets on ADHD, adhdguideline.aadpa.com.au

If you are in crisis or have a mental health emergency and require immediate assistance:

• Phone: 000

• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732

• Lifeline: 13 11 14

• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

• Mensline: 1300 789 978

• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

• Headspace: 1800 650 890

• ReachOut @ au.reachout.com

• 13YARN: 13 92 76

• Visit your local hospital emergency department

• Call or visit your local mental health service

• Contact your local GP doctor