make space counselling

the practical bits

I work with private counselling clients, aged 16 and above.

I do not offer rebates through Medicare for Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) or Eating Disorder Plans (EDP). If you require rebates in order to access treatment, please consult with your GP or use a database such as Inside Out or Butterfly Foundation to find a Psychologist, Social Worker and/or Occupational Therapist who is able to provide rebates.

Appointments
I see clients at Rough Patch in Leichhardt, NSW and online via Zoom on Wednesdays (12-6) and Fridays (10-3).
In person sessions are only available in Wednesdays.
The current building in Leichhardt is not fully accessible - there is one small step to enter the building, and the bathroom is not wheelchair accessible.

FEES

Rough Patch is a low-bono affordable counselling service. The counsellors at Rough Patch offer their services below market rate ($150-250+) because our values align with Rough Patch's aim to fill the gaps between free counselling services and full-fee market rates. 

As such, we have a sliding scale of $70-160.

More information on the fee structure can be found here: How it works, and fees explained

My counselling approach 

I work with clients experiencing a range of mental health concerns, with a special focus on body image and body change. I am a Person-Centered Counsellor and use a trauma-informed approach to healing, with a combination of principles from harm reduction practices, fat liberation, Body Trust, Intuitive Eating, and Health at Every Size.

tell me a bit more…

The elevator pitch:

I’m a counsellor who works with body image and self-worth. I believe we are all capable of healing, and healing looks and feels different for everyone. My approach is gentle and curious, embracing imperfection and placing my clients as the experts of their own experience.

The slightly longer version:

I’m a person-centered counsellor who works with adults and teens aged 14+ who are struggling with their body image. Clients come to this work needing an understanding space to unpack all the lessons they've learned about what makes their body 'good' or 'bad'. I believe we heal in relationship, and so I bring my gentle and genuine self to counselling. I am always learning and training. I work with the strong evidence base of Health at Every Size, Intuitive Eating, Body Trust and harm reduction practices - and I also acknowledge that our scientific evidence base doesn’t exist in a vacuum. What we choose to study and validate in research is a reflection of our culture and values.

And the more intimate version, perhaps leaning in to whisper in the corner of a little dinner party after dessert has finished:

I believe that all bodies are worthy of respect, that all humans are capable of healing from trauma, and that each of us holds more wisdom in our bodies than we could ever fathom. I believe we cope in the ways that we know how, and when our coping mechanisms begin to cause more harm than they help, that we may need to build some trust with ourselves and our situation in order to change them. I work with counselling clients who feel they’re at rock bottom with their relationship with themselves.

Want to book?

Get in touch via admin@makespacecounselling.com to arrange bookings. We can have a free 15 minute phone consult prior to booking, to get a better sense of whether we are a ‘good fit’ for each other.

At Rough Patch: If you feel the Rough Patch sliding scale model is the right payment fit for you, then our first session will be an ‘Assessment Session’. This is a flat rate of $70 and helps both of us to get to know each other a bit. We can discuss what has brought you to counselling, any goals you might have, and your mental health history. If we discover in the assessment session that Rough Patch isn’t the right place for you, then we can discuss alternative treatment options. 

There are no silly questions in these sessions - counselling can be confronting and vulnerable, so finding someone you feel you can work with is really important. I’m always happy to recommend some other practitioners who also work with Health at Every Size principles if you’d like to explore other options.

You can read our frequently asked questions here: https://roughpatchcounselling.com/about/faq/

You can find our address, parking details, and a map here: https://roughpatchcounselling.com/contact/

If you’d like to see a Rough Patch counsellor but your schedule doesn’t work with my hours (Wed 12-6, Fridays 10-3), take a look at the other lovely Rough Patch practitioners here: https://roughpatchcounselling.com/counsellors/

If you’d like to go ahead with an assessment session, first get in touch (see ‘contact me’ button at the top of this page) so I can let you know about current wait times.

Who else can you recommend?

These directories can help you find therapists who work in similar areas:

Size Inclusive Health Australia Provider Directory

Inside Out https://insideoutinstitute.org.au/treatment-services 

Butterfly Foundation https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline/ 

What about a Mental Health Care Plan, or Eating Disorder Plan?

MHCP - Mental Health Care Plan. This is a plan created by a GP that gives you access to a Medicare rebate for up to 20 psychologist sessions within a 12-month period. More information here.

These rebates are only for psychologists - not counsellors or psychotherapists. Often the ‘gap’ that you pay (the difference between the Medicare rebate and the psychologist fee) is equivalent to the fee you would pay to see a counsellor. Deciding who you see for therapeutic help is a personal decision that is influenced by location, finances, schedules and that gut feeling you get from looking at someone’s website or from sitting across from them in a therapy room. 

EDP - Eating Disorder Plan. This is a plan created by a GP, Psychiatrist or Pediatrician that gives access to rebates for up to 40 mental health sessions and 20 dietetic sessions within a 12-month period. Learn more here.

While I cannot offer the rebate as a counsellor, you’re welcome to see myself or one of the other non-Medicare therapists if you have one of these plans - we can work with your GP and Dietitian just like a Psychologist would.

HOW MANY SESSIONS DO I NEED?

It depends. And it’s also up to you.

To keep wait lists low (or zero), we have a cap of 30 sessions over 12 months. At the end of those 12 months, if there is no wait list then you can discuss continuing with your counsellor. If there is a wait list, you may have to wait before re-engaging for another 12 months.
Some people feel they are able to address an issue or make a change in just a few sessions. If that happens for you, that’s wonderful. I don’t pressure clients to keep coming back. You may feel you’ve made some good progress in a few sessions, and then come back every now and then for a ‘check in’, or to discuss another issue that has come up.
For others, medium-term or long-term support is most helpful. Medium-term counselling (around 12-20 sessions) is a good way of getting support and looking at some of the things in your life that cause distress, worry or other difficult feelings. As well as body image, I work with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, stress and worry, relationship and family issues, childhood issues, workplace issues, difficulties with communication, experiences of sexual assault, trauma and disordered eating. You can achieve great things in medium-term counselling, but might find you want to continue to get even more support in addressing complex issues and healing (long-term counselling).
I work with all clients to check in regularly about how counselling is working for you. This means reviewing your goals, and considering how much support feels right for you. Some clients begin with weekly sessions and then more to fortnightly or monthly sessions, and some find that regular support is working best for them. It’s up to you - your own circumstances, time, energy and finances are all factors in how you engage with counselling.
In this setting, I am not able to provide the necessary support for you if you currently experience domestic violence, are having a mental health crisis, are experiencing severe substance dependency issues, or other acute crises.

HOW DO YOU INCLUDE SOCIAL JUSTICE IN YOUR PRACTICE?

As a counsellor, it is my aim to bring a social justice lens into the counselling room. Without acknowledging ongoing oppression and marginalisation, we are only doing half the work.
While I live in a fat body, I recognise that being white and cisgendered affords me many unearned privileges - particularly in my context of Australia. I continually do inner- and outer-work to address my learned bias, white privilege, and listen and learn to experiences that differ from mine. I strive to be affirming, supportive and healing for LGBTQIA+ folks, non-white folks, Indigenous folks, folks with disabilities and other marginal identities. I recognise that my privilege means I cannot make statements such as “this is a safe space for you” when I do not know the nuances of your experience.

hello

I’m Rachel. My pronouns are she/her.
I’m a counsellor who lives and works on the unceded lands of the Bidjigal and Gadigal people of Eora nation, in Sydney.

I am a Person-Centered Counsellor and work with a combination of principles from Fat Liberation, harm reduction practices, Body Trust®, Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size® (HAES®).

Resource List

podcasts, articles and more

Learning about Health at Every Size® (HAES®), the evidence against our weight-centric health paradigm, and fat positivity can feel both liberating and terrifying. You might be questioning many foundational beliefs and wondering what all this new information means for you and your relationship with your body. It seems to be a common experience that once you’ve opened the door to weight neutrality, you want to learn more and more about it to bolster this new perspective. Here and in other blogs you’ll find links to books, podcasts and social media accounts that I find helpful in exploring these concepts.

Here’s the link to a resource list

qualifications

Certified Body Trust® Provider

PACFA Registered Counsellor, Provider #26853

Association for Size Diversity and Health (Member)

Graduate Diploma of Counselling (ACAP)