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Welcome to New Start Counselling and Psychotherapy
Mental Health Counselling for females of all ages
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I know that there are times in life or, the lives of loved ones when things seem overwhelming. Working through these issues alone can be hard and we can end up feeling more stuck, tired, and anxious. Is this happening for you? I want you to know you are not alone. New Start Counselling and Psychotherapy offers individual Counselling for women, teenagers, and children. This Counselling is determined by your needs, your story, and who you are in your world. I understand the importance of being flexible, open, and unbiased within the Counselling space as each of us has unique worldviews, values, and perceptions on life. I am here to walk this journey with you, to help build strengths in the direction that creates positivity and lays the foundations for you to live your best life. I guarantee a safe place where you will be supported along your wellness journey. ​
I specialise in Counselling for females of all ages including teenagers and children who are experiencing depression, anxiety, and other issues in their lives. I am passionate about empowering females to be the best versions of themselves and to live full and happy lives. I am flexible and meet people where they are along their mental health journey.
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I offer both NDIS and non-NDIS Counselling, telephone, video or in person in Port Adelaide.
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You do NOT need a Mental Health Care Plans to access Counselling. I know for some people they feel overwhelmed or distressed talking to their GP about their mental health, so the good news is you will not have to see your doctor prior to attending Counselling. If you would like more information, please see the FAQ section.

My Counselling Approach
As a qualified and accredited Counsellor, I understand the importance of being flexible, open, and unbiased within the Counselling space. Each of us has unique worldviews, values, and perceptions on life, therefore the standard “one size fits all approach” rarely works. I am proud to have taken my Counselling away from the traditional clinical setting, where you feel like just another client into a comfortable, welcoming, and authentic space.
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I generally start a Counselling session using Person-Centred Therapy because it is a gentle approach that puts you in control of your life, well-being, and healing. I open a space where you can tell your story, in your time. Depending on your goals for Counselling we may use different approaches such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), Narrative Therapy and ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy), or an eclectic mix of other approaches. Again, this is up to you and what works for you and your Counselling needs. On a personal level, I do resonate with ACT as it is a gentle approach that helps us see our thoughts and feelings in a kind way - without judgement or negativity or the need to push them away.
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I look forward to starting the Counselling journey with you.

About me
Qualifications
Bachelor of Psychology with Honours (Aboriginal Studies).
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Graduate Diploma in Counselling.
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Accreditation
Accredited Professional Member of Australian Counsellors Association (ACA).
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Experience
4 years as a counsellor in Mental Health
School Counsellor
2 years in private practice as New Start Counselling and Psychotherapy
Welcome to New Start Counselling and Psychotherapy. My name is Samantha (Sam) Seymour and I am passionate about helping and Counselling women, teenagers and children with their Mental Health and Wellbeing.

THE VALUE OF LIVED EXPERIENCE
I believe it is through our lived experiences, that we find our strengths. I think that in connection and knowledge we find and reinforce those strengths, worth, and ultimately, we find our true essence. I am a firm believer that when we connect with others, through lived experience and shared learning, optimism and courage, a better future follows. Change is always possible.
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I advocate away from the Westernised approach of Counselling and psychotherapy towards an inclusive and self-deterministic approach. I believe that to live and to experience is much more valuable than any lecture theatre.

Getting Help
Sometimes we need some extra help. Please click on the links below for some information that may support you on your journey. If your matter is urgent please call:
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Lifeline: 13 13 14 (24/7 support)
LETSS: (Lived experience telephone support ) 1800 013 755 - 5pm till 11.30pm (365 days a year)
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Mental Health Triage: 13 14 65
Police/Ambulance/Fire: 000
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What is the difference between a Counsellor and a Psychologist?In a nutshell a Psychologist is trained in certain modalities, usually and most commonly CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) they are also schooled with an emphasis on theory and statistics. They are able to diagnose and administer psychometric tests. A Psychologist has 6 years of study - the first 4 years are education based on the specifics and foundations of different modalities, psychology theories and statistics and research. The later years are focused on supervised clinical practice. One of the biggest differences between Psychologists and Counsellors lie in regulations and the regulatory boards. Psychologists must be registered under AHPRA, the peak body for Psychology in Australia, and as such can bill under Medicare. ​ In Australia Counselling is not highly regulated and in theory anyone can call themselves a Counsellor. This means that there are very large differences in training - some 'Counsellors' may have undertaken a weekend course online while others (like myself) have undertaken 6 years of training. Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) are the leading accreditation associations in Australia and have high membership standards. Counsellors work less with theoretical models and use more Counselling skills such as empathy, listening, and questioning. This creates an environment where you are the experts in your mental health journey, your story holds the key to change. Counsellors are less likely to work under a diagnostic paradigm; which means away from the medical model into a more holistic model. That is why I chose to study and work as a Counsellor.
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Can I use a Mental Health Plan (MHP) to see a Counsellor?Unfortunately at this moment Counsellors are not accredited under the Medicare Scheme. The ACA are working hard on retifying but it may be a long journey before that dream is reached. How the Mental Health Plan system works: In order for a client (you) to receive a rebate from from medicare to see a Psychologist (which currently is around $85) you will need to speak to you doctor who will ask you some questions, rated on a scale, around your mental health status. For example: (in the last fortnight) I was worried about situations in which I might panic and make a fool of myself. There are 21 questions: This link will take you to the questionairre used: DASS-21 This assessment will then determine your eligibility for a MHP. Once you recieve that you will then be given referrals or will seek your own Psychologist. The MHP is currently valid for 20 sessions. At present the average charge for Psychology is $210 to $260 an hour. Please NOTE: You can get cheaper this is just an average. So with the medicare rebate you will expect to pay out of pocket expenses around $125 - $145. The positives in seeing a Counsellor when talking about the MHP You do not have to seek assessment through a doctor - this means you dont have to disclose your mental health issues with your doctor. Counsellors are usually cheaper even if you used a MHP Counsellors are more accessible and the long waiting lists generally do not apply Cousellors are focussed on listening, empathy, congruence and not on using modalities such as CBT (although we can do so if that is what you want and need).
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What are Counselling and Psychotherapy and how are different?What are counselling and psychotherapy? ​ The dictionary defines counselling as “A talking therapy that involves a trained therapist listening to you and helping you find ways to deal with emotional issues". I best describe both counselling and psychotherapy as a process that allows you (as the consumer) to share feelings, experiences or behaviours that you would like to change to a counsellor, to whom a relationship of trust, safety and confidentiality has developed. The counsellor acts to help you to see things from a different viewpoint with a central goal of helping you make the changes that you would like. Effective counselling allows you to feel heard and supported, without judgement, bias or discrimination. ​ My role is NOT to: · Give unsolicited advice · Take control and sort out your problems · Get emotionally involved · Judge by my values, worldviews or cultural norms. ​ What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy? ​ Counselling is generally a shorter-term therapy, approximately 6-10 session. The focus of which is on specific issues, situations or challenges that are occurring in the present time; for example grief and loss, the onset of depression etc. Counselling centres on action and behaviours. Psychotherapy is remarkably like counselling however it is considered a longer-term therapy. Used to work on pervasive issues where the effects and scars of ongoing issues e.g. childhood abuse, long-term depression and diagnosed mental health disorders. Psychotherapy centres on feelings and experience. In Psychotherapy I like to work with an emphasis on collaboration and openness with other Allied Health professionals (if relevant to you) like doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists in order to consolidate your health and well-being goals. I am a believer that together we can make a difference, but separately we can work in opposite directions which can be detrimental to your health and well-being.
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How much do you charge for Counselling?My current charges are: $120 for Concession (including those under 18 years of age) $140 for Non-Concession If you have health insurance by Bupa, Police Health, St Lukes, Phoenix, Doctors or Grand United you can claim a rebate if you have the right extras cover. Please contact your health provider for more information. Current NDIS Charges - as stipulated under the NDIS guide for Counselling Services Counselling Sessions run for 50-55 minutes
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Can I claim on my private health cover?There are certain private health providers in which you can claim my services. Please note you will have to contact them to find out how much you are entitled to claim, as all covers are different: Bupa Provider Number: J001343 Ask for the required documentation from me in our session for the following funds: Police Health Fund St Lukes Health Fund Emergency Services Health Fund Phoenix Health Fund Waiting on service provider numbers for Doctors Health Fund and Grand United Health Fund
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I think my daughter needs help but she doesn't want to come to Counselling. What do I do?This is really hard. Watching someone struggle while feeling helpless to help is one of the hardest things to do. Being a parent and watching a child struggle is next level. First of all, I want to acknowledge that you are not alone, this is a question I get all the time. Many young people have had negative experiences with Counselling or Psychology. They have been in a room with someone asking them a lot of questions while writing down answers in a notebook. They feel intimidated by this type of approach. I get it and totally understand why they don't feel comfortable, I mean most of us wouldn't be comfortable. For other young people they don't know what to say, they come into Counselling thinking they 'have' to talk and feel pressured when they don't really know what to say. So how do we change this thinking for them? My suggestion is to show them my website, so they can get to know me a bit beforehand. Reinforce with them that I am not someone who is clinical in nature. I won't ask them a lot of clinical questions, I won't push them when they are not ready; they don't have to share if they don't feel comfortable. If they would like to have a chat with me beforehand we can do that also, or if they want you to be in the first session let's do that. I am open to what makes a young person feel comfortable. I believe the first step along this journey is our relationship - Let's get to know each other first and create a safe space in which they feel comfortable to talk to me about anything that is troubling them.
Acknowledgment of Country
I would like to acknowledge this land in which I live and work is the traditional lands for the Kaurna people and I pay respect their spiritual relationship with their country.
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I also acknowledge the Kaurna people as the custodians of the Adelaide region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.
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I also pay respects to the cultural authority of Aboriginal people visiting/attending from other areas of South Australia/Australia.
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I continue to actively work towards reconciliation.
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Monday - Friday
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Where you can find me
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Project 18 - The Wellbeing Collective
6 Lipson Street
Port Adelaide SA 5015
0402 055 752