Our Services

Therapy services for children take a playful and developmental approach. The initial aim is to understand your child’s behaviour and the presenting concern within the context of their developmental age, stage and their environment. Building a safe therapeutic space is integral in supporting a child in therapy, whilst using games and fun assists the therapeutic relationship to develop.

During the initial session it is a carer (parent) only session for children under 12 years old. A developmental history will be taken with the carer about the child. Hearing the carers’ story, getting a picture of what the child’s life is like. A developmental perspective underlies all of our work with children. Having a clear understanding of a child’s abilities is essential to being able to provide developmentally appropriate therapy. Including knowing what skills a child has developed and which are currently emerging. We will also discuss presenting concerns to assist in formulating a therapy plan. A collaborative approach when working with children is important as this provides the highest results. The assessment phase may also involve observations in your child’s education or childcare setting and liaison with teachers and relevant professionals as this is an important part of the therapeutic process.

During the second appointment counselling begins generally with both the parent and child in the room, this allows the child to meet the counsellor and discuss what counselling is and the limits to confidentiality. The child will be asked if they feel comfortable to attend a part of the session by themselves. During the last 10 minutes of the session we try and allow time for the child to include their carer in the session. This can be negotiated depending on the child’s need and presentation.

If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan you will need to bring along this paperwork to your first appointment.

Supporting young people (12- 25 years old) is a passion at ‘We Connect Psychology.’ We understand how difficult it can be going through the teenage years. Through this time youth are faced with developing their identities, academic and social challenges. They may be experiencing change within their relationships including with peers and families. Therapy with young people is led by the young person.

Office space in Rose Bay North

The young person will be present at this initial session and asked whether they would like to come in to the counselling room by themselves or whether they would rather the parent or caregiver to join them. Initial sessions will focus on gaining a shared understanding of presenting concerns, establishing a safe and comfortable place for therapy to occur, and developing a treatment plan. The young person will be asked if they would like their parent/ carer to be involved in the last 10 minutes of the session. Alternatively they may like their parent to be involved in future sessions. Collaboration with schools and other professionals involved in the young person’s care may also form an important part of the therapeutic process.

If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan you will need to bring along this paperwork to your first appointment.

Seeking support may be challenging especially if your trust has been broken in the past. At We Connect Psychology the aim is to provide a safe and supportive environment for you to receive professional psychological support. To make an appointment please call 0423415262. During the initial contact you will have time to discuss your counselling needs and ask any questions about counselling at We Connect Psychology. After booking an appointment you will be sent an introductory email confirming your appointment date and time. If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan you will need to bring along this paperwork to your first appointment.

At the beginning of your first session the Psychologist will briefly run through important paperwork with you. This will include completing a form with basic personal information (such as your name, date of birth, address and contact details) and a consent form that cover issues such as confidentiality, fees and other important information about sessions.

After completing paperwork we will explore relevant background history, for example, information about your family, social relationships, work history and any past counselling that you have done. The remainder of the session is usually spent discussing the issues that have brought you into therapy and identifying a clear aim of therapy. Each person processes and heals at different rates and it is difficult to give a general time frame for length of therapy. We often suggest booking in 3 appointments in advance and discussing length of therapy with your psychologist.

Office space in Rose Bay North

The Gottman Method was developed by John Gottman, Ph.D., after his many years of research with couples. He has learned the differences between couples with successful relationships, and couples whose relationships end in divorce, or are unhappy for years. It is a practical method, helping couples to improve their friendship, conflict regulation skills, and build deeper meaning between them. This builds increased intimacy, affection and collaboration in small steps, which leads to greater satisfaction over time.

Assessment: Couples who enter into Gottman Method Couples Therapy begin with an assessment process that then informs the therapeutic framework and intervention. A conjoint session, followed by individual interviews with each partner are conducted. Couples complete questionnaires and then receive detailed feedback on their relationship.

Therapeutic Framework: The couple and therapist decide on the frequency and duration of the sessions.

Therapeutic intervention aim: Interventions are designed to help couples strengthen their relationships in three primary areas: friendship, conflict management, and creation of shared meaning. Couples learn to replace negative conflict patterns with positive interactions and to repair past hurts. Interventions designed to increase closeness and intimacy are used to improve friendship, deepen emotional connection, and create changes which enhances the couples shared goals. Relapse prevention is also addressed.

Follow up session: Follow up sessions are scheduled, these sessions are normally scheduled for 3 months and 6 months after therapeutic intervention.

We Connect Psychology offers Telehealth services.

Telehealth services are also known as ePsychology and E-Mental Health services. 

Our Director Kelly Grlyak originally started using Telehealth to support clients when she worked as a volunteer telephone counsellor at Lifeline telephone counselling during the early years of her Career. She went on to support CanTeen a youth not for profit organisation to develop their Telehealth services including instant messenger, telephone counselling and online forums.

Since Covid-19 many people have turned to Telehealth to access psychological support. We believe in the evidence based benefits of ePsychology to support clients meet their therapeutic goals.

Telehealth- via video call

Safe and Confidential

As an experienced ePsychology practitioner we have created a safe and confidential space for the psychologist to support clients via Telehealth. We ensure that the psychologist is in a confidential setting when talking to clients. We also request that you also ensure you are in a safe and comfortable environment when accessing online support. Coviu is a online software programme that we use to provide a safe and interactive platform to connect with the client. For more information about Coviu please see Coviu Information

The Psychologist will ensure that the Psychologist is in a private location when accessing client session.

Headphones are used by the Psychologist for extra privacy.

Easy to access video call via link provided

After booking an initial appointment with the practitioner via telephone you will be sent an intake form via email. The intake form will provide information about pricing and services.

During the morning of your appointment you will receive a link for the video psychology appointment. Click on the link and take a photo for identification purposes. Your practitioner will accept the video call at the scheduled appointment time.

View of video call.

View from Psychologist’s computer.

During the video call the psychologist is able to use many features to assist the client reach their therapeutic goals including an interactive whiteboard, instant messenger, easy upload of any resources required during the session for example videos, worksheets or website links.

Interactive Whiteboard and other great applications available.

Telehealth- via phone call 

Some clients prefer to receive psychological services via telephone. During the initial phone call appointment this can be discussed and booked in.

Safe and Confidential

The Psychologist will ensure that they are in a safe and confidential location during the phone call. The Psychologist will call you at the scheduled appointment time. Your psychologist will call you at the number that you have provided. If you do not answer the psychologist will leave a message or send you a text. The Psychologist will be available for the scheduled appointment time. If you require any resources to aid therapy the psychologist will send you a email or text message to provide the resources.

Telephone Counselling available.

Employee Assistance Programs, are arrangements between an employer and a service provider for the provision of psychological therapy for staff.

If you are a staff member and your employer has provided you with our details, please call us to discuss next step in receiving support.

At We Connect Psychology, the core value is the importance of connection. We Connect offers opportunities for people to connect through group programs, community meet up sessions and professional networking groups.

Community groups and holidays programs are coming soon.

For up to date information please check out the events page.