Connections Youth Counselling

With Margie Giovanna; Grad'dip, BA; PACFA Reg. Provisional.

Now accepting expressions of interest for October 2024 launch.

My Counselling approach


I am a qualified PACFA registered counsellor with diverse experience providing therapeutic support privately and in several educational based settings. I offer youth targeted counselling that is embedded with warmth, empathy and thoughtful intervention based on presentation, with a specialised interest in working with anxious and depressive symptoms. My work is holistic in nature, drawing from various modalities to offer the young client a tailored approach in their journey.
My approach offers a ‘friendly face’ to counselling, clients report experiencing an interaction that is safe, warm and even transformative, offering the young client psychosocial skills to support confidence and resilience.

Margie Giovanna, Grad'dip, BA; PACFA Reg. Provisional. 


One size does not fit all, the goal is to connect with young clients and learn how their unique views of the world shape their relationship to it.

Margie Giovanna,Grad'dip, BA; PACFA Reg. Provisional. 

For Teens

Counselling can be scary at first, our first session(introductory) is a great time to get to know each other. I am here to be a listening ear and learn about your world as we work together on what matters most to you. No problem is too big or too small. Music and art are often topics of connection that are celebrated in my sessions- however, at times- a cheeky game of Jenga may also make an appearance.

Connections-Youth Counselling focuses on;

  • Anxious/Depressive presentation.

  • Psychosocial education.

  • Mental wellness techniques & strategies.

  • Self Confidence.

  • Body Image.

  • Family breakdown.

  • Socialisation.

  • LGBTQI friendly.

  • Self Injury.

  • Care team coordination.

  • In person & Telehealth.
    *Group Counselling coming soon

Fees

Medicare rebate not available.

TELEHEALTH: 1 hour zoom session.
You will be sent a private zoom link to begin the session.
$130

IN PERSON: 1 hour in person session in a counselling therapeutic office space.
$145

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING SUPERVISION COMING SOON.

“The scariest thing was asking my parents to speak to someone but then we took a chance, I was nervous at first but then started noticing how comfortable I was to share. So much changed after that and now my schooling is over and I got through the tricky times with counselling.”

— Name withheld for privacy., FORMER CLIENT (With permission)

FAQS

What happens in the first session?
The first session is an opportunity to discuss consent, goals, expectations, previous therapeutic experiences and counsellor to answer any questions that a client may have.
 It is a “get to know you”/ Introductory session that builds the foundation for future engagement. The first time can be awkward for clients, it is the counsellors job to establish a sense of safety and create a welcoming space. Often the first step can feel like the most challenging but once you start your journey, comfort in transparency will build and should feel safe with their right engagement.

What ages do you work with?
12 to 18 years of age.

Can you diagnose my child/me?
Counsellors may use screenings or questionnaires that may identify challenges, risks and a general view of the clients state. However, counsellors do not engage in diagnostics or prescribe medication. Often working collaboratively with clinicians that may work within spheres of treatments, counsellors are focused on experiential understanding of a clients worldview and goals.
Counsellors may often work alongside Orygen Youth Health clinicians, Headspace, associated mental health/youth organisations and GP’s.

Is counselling confidential?
Ethical counselling practice supports confidentiality, clients can share their sessions with whomever they please. However, counsellors will not break confidentiality with the exception of identified harm/danger- these are aspects that will be clearly defined with the client.
Often parents may request a simple dot point summary after a few sessions, this will be provided in agreed upon instances in collaboration with the young client (under18).

Do you collaborate with schools and organisations?
With consent from all participants, I am able to work within care teams that may involve school based wellbeing teams and external organisations. I have worked within secondary and tertiary education providers/schools for nearly 10 years and have developed a fruitful working relationship with wellbeing teams, school coordinators, teaching staff and principles. I am experienced with working with community based mental health teams and happy to engage in meetings or provide brief summaries (with client permission) where appropriate.

Do you do home visits?
No, at this stage only telehealth and in person counselling is available.

Can I sit in the sessions with my child?
Sessions generally run from 45 to 50 minutes. Parents may attend at the last 5 minutes of a session in some cases.

What if my teen/I don’t talk in the first session?
The beauty of counselling is that there is an emphasis on the therapeutic bond between counsellor and client. My goal is to make clients feel comfortable, this may be in the adoption of a creative practice - this could be anything from drawings together, listening to music, playing jenga or engaging in a tactile based project. My goal is to establish a sense of comfort and learn a clients unique expression.

Do you work with LGBTQI teens?
Absolutely! I am experienced working with LGBTQI relationships, gender identities, self esteem and diverse expressions. I engage in regular education in the community. However, I predominantly focus on the young clients own unique presentation and experience-their own unique story.

How does payment work?
I
nvoices will be sent via designated email. This service is not available for medicare rebate.

Do you offer Supervision?
Currently I do not offer supervision. However, Raquel McConnell does come highly recommended for practitioners working to develop their craft. https://www.reflectivepracticecounselling.com/

 

Get in touch

Expression of interest for October launch 2024.