What is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy, also known as counselling, is a therapy that helps with a broad variety of emotional challenges. In a psychotherapy session, you talk and reflect with a professional therapist or within a group facilitated by this therapist.  At TimeToReflect.Today, this therapist is me, Katharine McLennan.  I have trained in psychotherapy and executive coaching for many years.  I am accredited with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).  I combine this training with my years of experience of working with clients, and with my own life's challenges with mental health.

I work with your "right-brain" side of empathy to truly hear you in an atmosphere of kindness and respect for the wisdom you already have.  I work with your the "left brain' side to help you understand how the mind is working.  I challenge the way you are repeatedly cycling and causing stress and havoc in your life.   I offer exercises you can do each day that aim to improve your psychobiology, your relationships, your emotional state, your spiritual goals and your self-care.  

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Psychotherapy can thus equip you to cope with stressful and sometimes overwhelming situations in a more adaptive way.  The aim is to give you the ability to choose consciously a response that is effective in the face of any case, no matter how drastic it may seem at the time.  It can help you see your world in a more constructive frame -- one that serves you and your loved ones. 

Psychotherapy may be used in combination with medication or other therapies prescribed by medical professionals.  It can address many conditions ranging from a challenging career transition to addiction to trauma and to the grief of losing a loved one.  Please see below a full list of reasons you may come to psychotherapy. 

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Often, the course of therapy lasts well under one year and can consist of just one meeting either in person or online.   Other people choose to make psychotherapy a part of their weekly routine.  Reflecting with a trained therapist each week helps you to accelerate your personal growth continuously, just as you would work with a coach weekly to improve your tennis game.  Sometimes you just need someone's questioning or listening to hear the wisdom you have always had, which is blocked by so many unhelpful thoughts. 

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You are welcome to call, text, or email me with questions or just a chance to know me.  I am more than happy to spend 15 minutes with you on the phone or online Zoom to help you decide if you do want to work with me.

Where and How Often? --both online and in-person 

I practise in person, by phone and online Zoom.  You can choose any method at any time that suits you.   

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I am generally available Monday through Friday between 9 and 6 pm.  In the evening, I am available on Monday and Wednesday evenings between 7 pm and 9 pm. Depending on the particular day, I will be at my rooms in Crows Nest, MacMahons Point, or Little Bay. You can also meet with me by Zoom on most days. 

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The rooms are all on public transport. Free parking is also available at all locations.  

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Sessions are 55 minutes long.  The number of times we meet could be anything from one session to weekly sessions as a regular practice -- or as you need to meet. I would recommend meeting weekly for at least six weeks.    ​