Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you may want to know before getting started.
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People come to ILAMOS for many different reasons, including anxiety, overthinking, low mood, fears and phobias, confidence, emotional regulation, unwanted habits and behaviour change.
If you are unsure whether I can help with what you are experiencing, you are welcome to book a complimentary 15-minute introductory call.
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No.
You may already have a clear goal, or you may simply know that something is not working the way you would like it to.
We can explore this together during your first session.
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No. You can book directly with ILAMOS.
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You can book a complimentary 15-minute introductory call.
This gives you an opportunity to ask questions, briefly discuss what you are looking for and decide whether you would like to book an initial session.
The introductory call is not a therapy session.
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Your first session gives us time to understand what has brought you to therapy, what you would like to be different and what may be keeping the problem going.
We will also talk about your goals and begin working towards the changes you would like to make.
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Initial therapy sessions are generally 90–120 minutes.
Follow-up sessions are generally 50–60 minutes.
Structured behaviour-change programs have their own session format.
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The number of sessions will depend on what you are working on, your goals and how you respond to therapy.
ILAMOS takes a focused, solution-oriented approach, with progress reviewed as we go rather than setting a predetermined number of sessions.
Getting Started
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No.
You do not need to decide which approach you need before you come in.
I draw on counselling, strategic psychotherapy, clinical hypnotherapy and other therapeutic techniques depending on your individual needs, goals and what is most appropriate for you.
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Strategic psychotherapy is a practical, goal-focused approach that looks at how a difficulty may be being maintained and what may need to change for you to respond differently.
The focus is not only on understanding the problem, but on developing useful ways of moving forward.
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Therapy is collaborative.
I may offer perspectives, questions, strategies and practical exercises, but the aim is to help you develop greater understanding, choice and confidence in how you respond.
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Yes, sometimes.
You may be invited to practise a strategy, notice particular patterns, try something differently or listen to a therapeutic recording.
The purpose is to help the work we do in therapy carry into everyday life.
The introductory call is not a therapy session.
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No.
You remain in control of what you choose to share.
We need enough information to understand what is happening and how best to help, but you do not need to disclose every detail of your life or history.
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Not necessarily.
Therapy does not require you to repeatedly recount painful experiences simply for the sake of doing so.
We can focus on what is useful for your therapeutic goals and work at a pace that is appropriate for you.
How Therapy Works
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Clinical hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach that uses focused attention, imagery and therapeutic suggestion to support the changes you are working towards.
During hypnosis, your attention becomes more focused while you remain aware and actively involved in the process.
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Not necessarily.
Clinical hypnosis is one of the approaches I may use. If I believe it may be helpful, we will discuss it first and it will only be used with your consent.
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No.
You remain aware and able to communicate during hypnosis. You can make choices, respond and end the process at any time.
Although some people experience deep relaxation, hypnosis is better understood as a focused state of attention rather than sleep.
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That is okay.
You do not need to reach a particular level of relaxation for hypnosis to be used. People experience hypnosis differently.
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Therapy sessions are not routinely recorded.
Where clinical hypnosis is used, the hypnosis component may sometimes be recorded with your knowledge and consent so you can listen to it between sessions as part of your therapeutic work.
Clinical Hypnotherapy
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These concerns are offered through structured programs because the sessions are designed to work together towards a specific behaviour-change goal.
Each program provides a clear therapeutic framework while still being tailored to your individual circumstances, patterns and goals.
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Yes.
You can begin with an Initial Therapy Session without committing to further sessions.
If you decide to continue, you can book follow-up sessions individually or choose an available therapy package.
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Yes. Therapy packages are paid in full when purchased.
Package details, validity periods and applicable terms are available on the Fees page.
Therapy Packages & Programs
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ILAMOS works with adults and adolescents.
For clients under 18, consent arrangements depend on the young person’s age, maturity, understanding, circumstances and capacity to consent.
Confidentiality and how information may be shared with a parent or guardian will be discussed clearly at the beginning of therapy.
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No.
I can work therapeutically with a range of emotional, behavioural and psychological concerns, but I do not provide formal psychiatric or psychological diagnoses.
If an assessment or diagnosis may be helpful, I may recommend that you speak with an appropriate health professional.
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No.
I do not prescribe medication or advise you to change or stop medication prescribed by another health professional.
Questions about medication should be discussed with the practitioner who prescribed it.
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Yes.
If you are currently working with a psychologist, psychiatrist, counsellor, GP or another health professional, we can discuss this during your initial session.
Where communication with another professional may be helpful, this will generally occur with your consent unless disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law.
Who I Work With
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Yes.
The same therapeutic approaches can generally be used for both in-person and telehealth sessions.
Some people prefer meeting face-to-face, while others find online therapy more convenient or comfortable.
Confidentiality and how information may be shared with a parent or guardian will be discussed clearly at the beginning of therapy.
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Online sessions are provided through a secure telehealth platform.
Your access link and instructions will be provided before your appointment.
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Current session fees, packages and structured program pricing are available on the Fees page.
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ILAMOS sessions are not currently eligible for Medicare rebates.
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Eligibility for private health rebates depends on your health fund, level of cover and current ILAMOS provider arrangements.
Please check directly with your health fund if you intend to claim a rebate.
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You can book or request an appointment through the ILAMOS online booking system.
Telehealth appointments can be booked online.
In-person appointments are subject to availability and are confirmed once you receive your booking confirmation. If you are unsure where to begin, you can book a complimentary 15-minute introductory call.
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Please provide at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment.
Late cancellations and missed appointments may incur a fee.
Full details are available in the Cancellation Policy.
Appointments, Fees & Booking
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What you share in therapy is treated confidentially, subject to limited legal and professional exceptions.
There may be circumstances where information needs to be disclosed, including where disclosure is required or authorised by law, where an applicable mandatory reporting obligation arises, or where there is a serious threat to the life, health or safety of you or another person and disclosure is permitted by law.
Where appropriate and reasonably possible, I will discuss this with you before information is shared.
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Yes.
Clinical information and records are handled in accordance with applicable privacy and professional requirements.
Further information is available in the Privacy Policy.
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ILAMOS may use an AI-assisted clinical documentation tool to support the preparation of clinical notes.
It will only be used where you have provided specific consent to its use.
Any AI-assisted clinical notes are reviewed by me before being retained as part of your clinical record.
You may decline or withdraw your consent for future sessions without affecting your access to therapy.
Privacy & Confidentiality
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Yes.
Before your first appointment, you will be asked to complete your intake information and review the ILAMOS Client Agreement & Informed Consent.
You will also be asked to confirm your consent to participate in therapy before your first session.
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There is nothing special you need to prepare.
It can simply be helpful to think about what you would most like to be different as a result of therapy.
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Yes, for practical matters such as appointments, bookings or brief questions relating to your therapy.
Email and messaging are not intended to provide therapy or crisis support between appointments.
Therapeutic support is primarily provided during scheduled sessions.
Before & Between Sessions
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Yes.
Therapy is voluntary and you can choose to stop at any time.
Where possible, it can be helpful to discuss your decision with me so we can review your progress and bring the work to a thoughtful close.
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Yes.
If something new arises or you would like further support in the future, you are welcome to return.
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No.
ILAMOS does not provide emergency or crisis support.
If you or another person is in immediate danger or requires urgent assistance, call 000 or seek appropriate emergency support.
For 24-hour crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Further services are available on the Crisis & Emergency Support page.
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You are encouraged to raise any concerns with me if you feel comfortable doing so.
You also have the right to make a complaint through an appropriate external complaints body or relevant professional association.
Full information is available on the Feedback & Complaints page.