Brighter Minds Counselling
Bigger, Braver, Brighter
Information
Brighter Minds Counselling is a child and youth counselling and psychotherapy service for individuals in the Bundaberg and Wide Bay area. We will accept referrals from GP's schools, other service providers, clients, or their families.
We are located in Suite 16 of the Regional Business HQ on 2 Tantitha Street, in Bundaberg Central. We can be contacted in-person at the practice, through the contact page on our website (www.brightermindscounselling.com.au), or via email at admin@brightermindscounselling.com.au. Brighter Minds Counselling currently has two practitioners working to support clients, Jess and Tahnika. Clients will not be discriminated against for their beliefs, values, or medical preferences. Everyone is welcome here!
As we are a small local business, we ask that appointments are paid in full, before the commencement of each appointment, unless alternative arrangements have been made with the practitioner beforehand. As of July 1st, 2022, the practice has implemented a cancellation policy; appointments cancelled with little, or no notice will be charged a fee. Payment plans can be arranged in extenuating circumstances; please contact the practice if you need to set up a payment plan. For clients who need to have an invoice sent (as opposed to paying in person), payment is preferential to be made on the day of appointment (if not before) but must be paid within 7 days of the appointment date. Invoices must be paid (or a plan in place) before the next appointment is held. Unfortunately Medicare does not offer rebates for counsellors and psychotherapists at the moment, so the appointment cost is to be paid in full. This means that we cannot accept Mental Health Care Plan's, as they are Medicare funded. NDIS funding can be utilised if the individuals plan accommodates for counselling, psychotherapy or mental health supports.
Individual consultations are offered for clients of all ages, and are $156.16 per session, and are booked for 60 minutes; 50 minutes with the client and 10 minutes for compiling case-notes afterwards. Should a shorter or longer session time be required, please ask your practitioner and we can accommodate this to suit client needs.
​
​
​
Our Approaches
Due to the individual needs of clients and their concerns, our staff will use a range of therapeutic approaches during individual counselling, psychotherapy, and play based sessions. Below is a brief note of information regarding some commonly used therapeutic approaches found within Brighter Minds Counselling sessions.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most commonly used therapy approaches by counsellors world-wide. This therapeutic approach is very inclusive and allows a counsellor to work with a young person to identify concerns and goals and develop strategies and tools to help manage symptoms and alleviate concerns. ​The core concepts of CBT can be identified as;
1). That the psychological concerns are partly based on unhelpful ways of thinking.
2). That psychological concerns are partly based on learned patterns of behaviour.
3). That individuals living with concerns can improve and relieve symptoms with appropriate strategies and management of the concerns.
Psychodynamic Therapy focuses on chanigng problematic behaviours, feelings and cognitions by discovering unconscious meanings and motivations.
Behaviour Therapy takes a learning approach to both 'normal' and 'abnormal' behaviours presenting in a client. The most common aspects of behaviour therapy include conditioning, and desensitisation.
Humanistic therapies such as Client-Centred Therapy, and Gestalt Therapy, identify and emphasize an individuals capacity for making rational and positive choices to help maximise their potential. Concern, empathy, compassion and respect and important themes within these therapeutic types.
​
Mindfulness-Based Therapy is when a client pays close attention to their emotions, cognitions and behaviours in a specific moment, without judgement and follows open minded and accepting ways of responding to those moments.
​
Narrative Therapy enables the client to become the expert in their own lives. Practitioners work collaboratively with the clients in order to create 'alternative' stories using non-judgemental and respectful approaches which ultimately guieds clients to 're-write' their stories to suit their life goals.
​
Play Therapy is a powerful and meaningful way of combining the creative and non-verbal capacities of young people in an environment that is engaging and therapeutic. This approach is developmentally appropriate for younger clients and in sessions, children are able to 'play it out', either literally or metaphorically, regarding real life or inner experiences in a way that builds their capacity and regulation.