About: 1. John Hunter; 2. Counselling
I am a mature-aged counsellor with diverse life and work experience who enjoys meeting people from many differing walks of life and cultural backgrounds.
My clients report they find it easy to engage with me, feel comfortable and able to be themselves. They report appreciating my non-judgemental approach, respect, warmth, humour and helpful feedback.
Philosophy: I believe people are generally doing the best they can and are the real "experts" on what will work for them. I consider it a privilege to work with people who, like me, have at one time or another in their lives reached the end of their own personal resources without reaching a solution and have the courage to share their anxieties and fears with an experienced, helping professional.
My formal qualifications are in Social Work and Education. I am an accredited memberof the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and an AASW-certified Mental Health Social Worker (MHSW). Membership and certification are maintained by mandatory participation in documented ongoing professional development education and clinical supervision.
Certification as a mental health social worker enables my being a registered Medicare Provider which means you receive a Medicare rebate for counselling sessions with me when referred by a doctor under Medicare's Better Access initiative. Membership of the AASW also includes public liability insurance for your protection.
Besides my years in private practice I draw on face to face counselling experience with drug and alcohol, hospital, aged care and gambling clients as well as telephone counselling and referral.
About: 2. Counselling
Counselling is a collaborative, supportive, encouraging process;
a two-way conversation aimed at making useful changes in
patterns of thought, feelings, behaviour and relationships. Counselling
is
not a sign of weakness or a surrender of independence. It is a
sensible seeking of temporary assistance to resolve an issue that
refuses to respond to our own best efforts.
You benefit by the chance to: "open up" and discuss in confidence and at your own pace issues you may not wish to share with loved ones, family or friends; to deal with troubling emotional hurdles preventing you from progressing; and to gain greater clarity about your situation; and plan action to get your life back on track.
For my part I will listen without judging you, respect your values, be responsive, provide useful objective feedback, and help you realise past strengths and apply them to your present life. I will support you through the process of deciding what changes you want to make, and provide practical ideas which may help.
I welcome any questions you have about counselling free of charge or obligation. There are no "silly' questions.