Packages and Courses
EMDR Therapy - for healing and performance enhancement
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is different from traditional talk therapy approaches like CBT and ACT. In EMDR, you don't have to reveal every detail of your painful experience like you would in talk therapy and the bulk of EMDR therapy work is done in session. This makes EMDR particularly useful for people who have difficulty talking about their trauma.
EMDR therapy was founded by Francine Shapiro in the late 80s and has since emerged as a key intervention in treating trauma, which is now recognised by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) as a Level 1, top tier, evidence-based psychological intervention for PTSD in Adults, and Level 2 for children. Extensive international research also reveals that EMDR therapy’s effectiveness extends- far beyond addressing trauma, as it has been found that it can heal developmental wounds that underlie a wide-range of psychological and behavioural issues. For example, EMDR has been shown to be effective for addressing issues like anxiety, phobias, panic, social anxiety, OCD, depression, chronic pain, grief & loss, addictions, and even performance enhancement. EMDR Therapy is also beneficial in addressing non-diagnostic issues, such as attachment-based/childhood wounds, shame and perfectionism.
The main idea underpinning EMDR, is that when we experience an intense negative event that is too overwhelming for our minds to make sense of, this information is thought to form a ‘stuck’, unprocessed, or Dysfunctional Memory Network - and so EMDR is thought to help by processing memories in a way that discards unhelpful or harmful information about an event (e.g. negative and inaccurate beliefs about yourself), while keeping more balanced and adaptive information that has arisen during the process.
EMDR helps your mind and body to process your past trauma and get over ‘stuck’ memories, so they no longer show up as flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and depression. EMDR taps into the brain’s natural ability to heal and helps it file away memory appropriately so that when a previously overwhelming memory is recalled, there is no longer any distress associated with the memory.
In addition to decreasing the distress associated with trauma and other mental health issues, EMDR can also help a person to gain confidence in their ability to perform a task or reach a goal. EMDR works to achieve this by installing positive beliefs, and by having the person imagine doing the thing they are nervous to do/or want to improve in, while undergoing bilateral stimulation (I'll explain this more soon). This has the effect of simultaneously decreasing the fear, anxiety, or stress associated with the task, and boosting confidence. It seems that EMDR helps the brain to think in a healthier, more adaptive way by removing blocks (such as negative self-limiting beliefs) and helps the person to tap into his or her strengths and potential.
What is Bilateral stimulation (BLS)
BLS is a unique aspect of EMDR Therapy. This is believed to relate to how the brain processes memories while we are asleep. One of the most important stages of sleep is called ‘rapid eye movement’ (or REM). REM sleep is where we process and consolidate learning and memories from the previous day. As an example of what REM does- have you ever woken up after a good sleep and realised that your dream actually gave you the answer/or shed light on a problem you've been dealing with? Yep- that's the power of REM- solving your latest dramas while you sleep.
A key component of REM sleep is bi-lateral eye movements (when our eyes flicker rapidly from left-to-right). EMDR Therapy utilises this process by mimicking the eye-movements of REM sleep to stimulate the brain’s natural way of healing and processing memories. EMDR does this by using sounds, lights, movement, and vibrations to stimulate both sides of the brain, using a technique called bilateral stimulation (BLS).
EMDR Therapy identifies a stuck memory and brings the information into the persons' present awareness, while pairing it with the bilateral eye movements observed in REM sleep. This in turn allows the brain to process the memory, resulting in the resolution of distress- associated with the memory, and a sense of freedom from related emotional, psychological and behavioural issues holding people back.
Does EMDR Therapy Work Online?
There is strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of EMDR Therapy delivered online, with research reporting that online EMDR therapy can be just as effective as in person sessions. Prior to commencing online EMDR therapy, your psychologist will work with you to make sure that you are emotionally ready to engage in trauma processing work, and that you have some self-care and emotional regulation tools to manage any distress that may arise.
Recommendations include:
1. Ensuring a reliable and stable internet connection, the use of a hands-free device with a suitable/large screen to facilitate the required left-to-right eye movements for BLS.
2. It’s also key to have a quiet, private uninterrupted space for memory processing sessions, free from potential disruptions such as people, pets, or device notifications.
3. Also ensure that a phone next to you during the session so that your psychologist can easily contact you if there are technological issues.
4. Having tissues, water, and other comfort items close by can also help
EMDR Group Therapy - RESILIENT ROOTS for Parenting Stress
Launching soon - RESILIENT ROOTS: EMDR Group for Parenting Stress in Second - Generation Refugees & Immigrants - Part 1 of 2 .
DATES:
- Sunday 3rd Nov: 10am - 12pm
- Sunday 10th Nov: 10am - 12pm
- Sunday 24th Nov: 10am - 12pm
LOCATION: Belmore, Sydney.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST - via our Enquiry Form below
(booklet available upon request).
Part 1. Resilient Roots: "Foundations" course - lays the groundwork for common experiences and an understanding of the hidden stress of growing up as second-generation refugee or immigrant and how this may impact on your parenting and everyday life. It also provides a foundation into EMDR Group Therapy.
Part 2: "Going Deeper" course - continues the memory processing work, clears away "stuck" emotions and builds upon the skills learned in Part 1.
BENEFITS:
- Find healing in the context of a supportive and safe group community with likeminded people.
- Improve/eliminate symptoms of stress, anxiety, PTSD, and mental unwellness, and embrace the parent you long to be.
* Subsidised by Medicare
* $100 Out of Pocket Cost per 2-hr group session - with a MHCP from your GP ($166 without a MHCP).
* Group size: 4 - 8
* Facilitated by Malika Ferry and Jane Bensen.
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Fees & Rebates
If you are presenting as a private client, no referral letter is required.
The cost of an appointment with Malika is $220 (per 50 mins via Telehealth) or $240 (per 50 min for in person sessions), which is payable at the end of the session by direct debit/autopayment via Halaxy, or direct deposit (payment must be received at least 24 hours before each appointment, or your appointment will be cancelled).
Initial psychology/coaching appointments with Malika: 90 mins ($260 via Telehealth; $280 in office); or 60 mins ($230 via Telehealth; $250 in office).
Enquire directly with Jane about her fees.
· Requests for letter writing, report writing, or external communication to other professionals: Pro-rata charges based on time required. Services less than 15 minutes are free. We DO NOT write reports for Legal Matters/Court.
· Medicare rebates are available with a valid Medicare referral through the Better Access initiative. Rebates are available for Telehealth sessions. You will need to obtain a written referral from your GP (or psychiatrist), specifying a referral for 6 sessions of individual psychological therapy. It must be dated before the first session you would like to claim a Medicare rebate for (if this is dated after the session, you will only be able to claim for the sessions after this date).
· You may also be able to claim a rebate from your private health fund depending on your cover, however, it is not possible to claim both Medicare and Private Health Fund rebates for the same appointment.
· Self-Managed NDIS clients are welcome.
· Fees are reviewed yearly and maybe subject to change.
Medicare Rebates
The Australian Government offers access to 10 rebated psychological sessions per calendar year (resets from January 1) for those with an eligible 'mental disorder'.
· Medicare also currently offers eligible individuals a rebate for 6 -10 group ‘Psychological Therapy’ sessions (in addition to the 6-10 individual sessions) with a Medicare registered Psychologist.
· If you already have a mental health care plan and a referral for individual, you will need to talk to your referring GP about adding group therapy to the care plan, and you will need another referral letter specifically for group therapy. At the end of a group therapy course, you will then receive a receipt for the classes that you attended, which you can send or take to a Medicare office and claim your refund. Medicare also has an app you can use to claim your refund. See: Express Plus Medicare mobile app - Services Australia .
· When you spend a certain amount in gap and out of pocket costs for medical services, you’ll reach the threshold. Then Medicare will pay you a higher Medicare benefit. Find out what the thresholds are on the Services Australia website and/or see Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative under Medicare | APS (psychology.org.au).
To claim and manage these rebated sessions, you will require the following:
1. Visit your GP to:
Get a Mental Health Care Plan/Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHCP/MHTP)
Get a Referral Letter (only psychology sessions dated on/after the date of your referral can be claimed).
2. Send the Referral Letter to your psychologist. If your psychologist does not have a copy of your referral, they cannot process your referral for you, and you will have to pay the full fee of the session. Whilst the MHCP/MHTP contains valuable information, in order to process your rebate, only the Referral Letter is necessary.
3. Get a new Referral Letter from your GP when the allocated number of sessions have been used. Referrals are issued in blocks of sessions, usually the first referral block being for 6 sessions, requiring another GP visit to receive your remaining 4 sessions once you have completed your first referral (please check your referral for session amount, as this can vary). Your psychologist will need to send your referring GP a progress report.
4. Keep track of your rebated sessions. Freedom Psychology and Life Coaching does not assume responsibility for keeping track of your used Medicare rebates. If you have no more sessions remaining on your current referral, you have completed all 10 available sessions for the year or your referral is invalid, and you will not be eligible for a Medicare rebate - meaning you will be required to pay the full amount for the session. You can manage your Medicare claims online, via the app or by phone. For more information, visit the Medicare website.
5. Please note that while we do all we can to support you to claim a rebate, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct referral information to do so. While we will endeavour to process your Medicare rebate for you, on the rare occasion that this fails, we will provide you with a detailed receipt of your session to take to Medicare and claim the rebate yourself.
· If you are uncertain whether your GP has completed all the necessary referral information for you to be eligible for a rebate, please confirm this with your GP or call Medicare on 132 011. We cannot confirm these details for you.
· If you would like more information about Medicare rebates for psychological services under the Better Access initiative, please discuss this with your GP, your mental health care provider, or visit https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/better-access-initiative or https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/mental-health-care-and-medicare?context=60092 or https://psychology.org.au/psychology/medicare-rebates-psychological-services .
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Does Online EMDR therapy work?
There is strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of EMDR Therapy delivered online, with research reporting that online EMDR therapy can be just as effective as in person sessions. Prior to commencing online EMDR therapy, your psychologist will work with you to make sure that you are emotionally ready to engage in trauma processing work, and that you have some self-care and emotional regulation tools to manage any distress that may arise.
Recommendations include:
1. Ensuring a reliable and stable internet connection, the use of a hands-free device with a suitable/large screen to facilitate the required left-to-right eye movements for BLS.
2. It’s also key to have a quiet, private uninterrupted space for memory processing sessions, free from potential disruptions such as people, pets, or device notifications.
3. Also ensure that a phone next to you during the session so that your psychologist can easily contact you if there are technological issues.
4. Having tissues, water, and other comfort items close by can also help.
Helvetica Light is an easy-to-read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) & Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
CBT teaches us to change and reframe negative thought patterns, while ACT teaches us to accept negative feelings or situations as part of the human experience. Both are considered ‘talk therapies'. CBT helps us to identify unhelpful or unbalanced thinking patterns we have, and then challenge them with more helpful and balanced ways of thinking. CBT also involved changing our patterns of behaviour, such as gradually facing our fears or things we’ve been avoiding, or role playing ‘what if’/worst case scenarios with your therapist and seeing how likely they are to happen and figure out ways you can cope. The goal of CBT is to improve your quality of life through shifting your thoughts and behaviour patterns.
ACT helps us focus on our motivations and values once we have learned to accept the challenges in our life, while CBT helps us identify things that we need to change ACT acknowledges that sometimes using logic doesn’t work and aims to help people to accept what kinds of things are not in their control and once that is achieved, ACT helps us to commit to actions that will us move in a positive and meaningful direction. ACT teaches us that suffering is a normal part of life and utilises mindfulness approaches to help us accept reality has it is. ACT helps us to make room for undesired feelings, emotions and sensations, and practice moving forward with our life at the same time.
CBT and ACT often involves practicing skills outside of session and includes worksheets for you to do on your own to become more self-aware. ACT can be considered is an action-oriented approach that helps people build their psychological flexibility to promote a better quality of life, while CBT can be considered a goal-oriented therapy that is mainly interested in tackling specific problems, and less interested in the delving into causes.
