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My commitment to you as your counsellor is
to meet you where you are on your journey.your journey.your journey.

Hi, my name is

Vanessa Kjestrup

I am a Mental Health Accredited Social Worker.

I have chosen a career in supporting others and have an unwavering passion in assisting others to navigate areas of challenge. My commitment to you as your counsellor is to meet you where you are on your journey.

To work collaboratively to put you in the driver’s seat of your life, where you can gain control over your feelings, thoughts and behaviors and shift from feeling stuck to a place of learning and growth.

There will be no judgment, no quick fixes, together we will explore whatever you bring into the room and how you would like your life to be different

I am an optimist and passionate about walking the talk in this journey of wellbeing and healing.

My Services

Using an evidence-based practice, I incorporate an integrated model of therapy which is both persons centered, and trauma focused. Everyone’s situation is unique and therefore you will be met and heard without judgment, in a respectful and safe space

Counselling is a personal and safe process that can involve talking about what is present for you, working together to unpack, explore and understand your concerns and provide strategies, tools and build inner resources that you will be able to take away with you and use for the rest of your life. A space to support change and growth.

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For Individuals
  • Dual Diagnosis therapy – substance use and mental health concerns/issues
  • EMDR and AI-EMDR therapy
  • Trauma – PTSD, Childhood Trauma
  • Depression
  • Anxiety and OCD
  • Stress management
  • Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
  • Anger management/emotional regulation
  • Life stressors and life transitions
  • Relationship concerns
  • Parenting challenge (includes separation and co-parenting)
  • Eating Disorders
  • Self-development and goal setting

Consulting is the process of helping you to solve problems or issues. I can help by analyzing information and situations to identify a new, positive way forward for you and your practice. I work across a number of formats including supervision, mentoring and group work.

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  • Professional Supervision
    A space to unpack, explore, reflect and discuss casework and practice. Supervision is your precious time to hone and grow your practice.
  • Mentoring for practicing therapist and students
  • Providing group Supervision
    A space to come together and learn about each other as a team. Learn about self-care and how to incorporate this into your daily habits. Explore organisation communication, build skills, develop confidence in yourself, your team and practice.
  • Facilitating groups
Note: these options can be face to face or via teams

Therapeutic intervention can take several forms and applies in a variety of settings. To help in the process of building strategies and treatment of mental health issues, theraputic intervention includes actions and practices that improve the psychological, social or emotional wellbeing.

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  • EMDR and AI-EMDR
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Trauma Informed Practice
  • Solution Focused
  • Attachment Theory
  • DBT – emotional regulation
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Mindfulness
  • Somatic practice

Fees and Rebates

All counselling sessions are 50 minutes in duration unless longer sessions are requested or identified. There is no GST applied to counselling.

  • Individual
  • EMDR treatment

$160.00 (50 minutes)
$ 160.00 – $240.00 (60-90 minutes)

  • Professional Supervision
  • Group Supervision

$160.00 (inc GST 60 minutes)
$550.00 (inc GST and travel 1.5 hours)

If you are unable to make your appointment, please contact me with at least 48 hours’ notice otherwise a cancellation fee might apply. I am happy to change appointment when given sufficient notice.

Counselling is a personal and safe process that can involve talking about what is present for you, working together to unpack, explore and understand your concerns and provide strategies, tools and build inner resources that you will be able to take away with you and use for the rest of your life. A space to support change and growth. For Individuals
  • Dual Diagnosis therapy – substance use and mental health concerns/issues
  • EMDR and AI-EMDR therapy
  • Trauma – PTSD, Childhood Trauma
  • Depression
  • Anxiety and OCD
  • Stress management
  • Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
  • Anger management/emotional regulation
  • Life stressors and life transitions
  • Relationship concerns
  • Parenting challenge (includes separation and co-parenting)
  • Eating Disorders
  • Self-development and goal setting

Consulting is the process of helping you to solve problems or issues. I can help by analyzing information and situations to identify a new, positive way forward for you and your practice. I work across a number of formats including supervision, mentoring and group work.
  • Professional Supervision A space to unpack, explore, reflect and discuss casework and practice. Supervision is your precious time to hone and grow your practice.
  • Mentoring for practicing therapist and students
  • Providing group Supervision A space to come together and learn about each other as a team. Learn about self-care and how to incorporate this into your daily habits. Explore organisation communication, build skills, develop confidence in yourself, your team and practice.
  • Facilitating groups
Note: these options can be face to face or via teams


Therapeutic intervention can take several forms and applies in a variety of settings. To help in the process of building strategies and treatment of mental health issues, theraputic intervention includes actions and practices that improve the psychological, social or emotional wellbeing.
  • EMDR and AI-EMDR
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Trauma Informed Practice
  • Solution Focused
  • Attachment Theory
  • DBT – emotional regulation
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Mindfulness
  • Somatic practice


Fees and Rebates

You do not need a referral to see me – it is possible to self-refer, however, to be eligible for
the Medicare rebate it is necessary to be referred by a GP or Psychiatrist.

 

Standard Individual Sessions:

$ 170.00 – 50 min session
$ 90.95 – Gap fee – client cost
$ 79.05 – Medicare rebate

Individual Professional Consultation/Supervision Sessions:

$ 170 – 60 min session (inc GST)

Please note:
The fee for appointments outside of business hours Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm will incur a $20.00
after-hours fee.

Payment is required at the time of the appointment. Our practice has full EFTOS facilities, and we accept all major credit cards and cash and, in some cases, direct deposit.

Please note:
Group supervision, case consultation, mentoring, training, and workshops are also available.
Please give me a call to discuss this further.

Non-direct services:
When a client requests a report, a fee equivalent to our hourly rate will be charged.
Fees will be discussed prior to preparing this report.


 

Medicare Rebates:

Clients with a referral and a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from their GP (or Psychiatrist or Pediatrician), a Medicare rebate of $79.05 can be claimed for up to 10 sessions.

It is recommended that you discuss your eligibility for a referral with your GP before you make an appointment to see me.

 

Open Arms Referrals Rebates:

I am currently accepting new referrals through Open Arms. You will need to contact Open Arms directly to obtain this referral 1800 011 046.


Private Health Insurance Rebates:

Most private health funds provide rebates for psychological services and counselling. Please contact your provided directly. A GP referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan is not required to access such rebates. Please note that Medicare and private health insurance rebates cannot be claimed for the same consultation. This practice does not process these rebates, however, will provide invoices for you to claim with your private health cover.


NDIS Referrals:

I can provide services for people under NDIS and fees are paid through their funding package and in accordance with the current NDIS price guide.

Please note the following cancellation fees apply:

• When less than 24 hours’ notice is given to cancel a session, 100% of the session fee will be charged.
• When less than 48 hours’ notice is given to cancel a session, 50% of the session fee will be charged.
• When more than 48 hours’ notice is given to cancel a session, NO fee will be charged.
• Non-attendance without notice, 100% of the session fee will be charged.
• Medicare does not cover cancellation fees therefore you will be charged as above policy.

Extenuating circumstance – I understand situations happen and am more than happy to talk case by case around these.

What My Clients Say

I have been extremely lucky enough to work with Vanessa for the last 12 months, my group supervision sessions with Vanessa have become a key factor in my professional development. Vanessa offers a safe space to develop new skills, critically reflect, share experiences and build confidence. Each supervision session is engaging, and I walk away with a wealth of knowledge every time.  Vanessa’s personable approach does not go unnoticed It is evident in all aspects of Vanessa’s work the level of her experience and professional commitment.

I would highly recommend her services to any organization.

LIAM

Thoroughly recommend Vanessa – I look forward to her supervision sessions immensely.
It’s nice to have an external person to bounce tricky situations off and get their ideas and suggestions or even to have what you have done – validated. Vanessa is refreshing and engaging and a brilliant facilitator.
I always leave her sessions feeling relaxed and confident.

BRONWYN

Since joining the team at Vinnies AOD Service in Cairns I have had the pleasure of receiving supervision from Vanessa.  I have found it both beneficial and rewarding being given a safe place to reflect on my practice and learn.  Vanessa always welcomes new topics and encourages our team input into best practice.  We are very fortunate to have access to her years of experience and unique approach.

DONNA W

Vanessa is a passionate, engaging, and trustworthy therapist.
She is honest, reliable, and pragmatic.

As an educator, it impresses me that Vanessa uses her knowledge and experience of diverse learning styles and tools, to cater for her client’s varied needs and interests.

I am grateful to have found her and can highly recommend her professional counselling services

STEVIE

What I Offer

Accessible

I can offer flexibility with appointment times and days without long wait times

Experienced

I have 20 years plus experience helping adults better understand and process unresolved trauma and heal

Accredited

I am an accredited and a fully registered (AASW) Mental Health social worker, counsellor and teacher

Informed

I use evidence-based approaches that are trauma informed

Approachable

Small, local, and friendly service without judgement

Flexible

I provide the option of home visits, skype, phone (telehealth) and face to face

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