FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is telehealth? Telehealth is essentially conducting health services (like counselling or clinical hypnotherapy) via video conferencing online! Is it effective? Research indicates that receiving counselling services via telehealth is just as effective as face to face support. How does it work? It’s extremely simple! You’ll receive an e-mail with a link to our online platform; simply click on the link at the time of your scheduled appointment and Luigi will appear via video and conduct your session just like he would a face to face appointment. What do I need for a telehealth appointment? We encourage clients to use a private room at home (advise housemates/family not to disturb you for the duration of your appointment). You can use your smart phone, laptop or tablet (as long as they have a camera and mic function, which most do these days). I also suggest using headphones or airpods etc! How much do online sessions cost? Session fees are the same as our regular face to face prices, as you’re paying for our clinician’s time. However, if cost is a barrier for you to access telehealth sessions with me, then please let me know as I may be able to negotiate a different fee, depending on circumstances. How many sessions do I need? The number of sessions an individual requires varies. Some people only require a few sessions in order to meet their goals and outcomes, others come longer term to deal with more complex issues. I encourage people to commit to six sessions to give the process of treatment an opportunity to develop. Is it secure? YES! The platforms we use are encrypted and you can rest assured the contents of your session will remain confidential. I feel weird / nervous about doing a video session? Completely understandable, as it’s a platform many people haven’t tried before. If you’re a current client or a new client wanting to book in, we highly encourage you to give it a try, you’ll likely be surprised very early in the session how comfortable you’ll feel and how very similar it is to a face to face appointment.

What exactly is Hypnosis? Hypnosis is a state of altered consciousness that occurs naturally in every person just before entering into the sleep state. In therapeutic hypnosis, we prolong this brief interlude so that we can work within its bounds. Dr James Braid conceived the word “Hypnosis”. He was born in 1795, studied medicine at Edinburgh, and settled as a surgeon in Manchester, where he died in 1860. Braid utilised the name of the Greek god of Sleep, Hypno, as the basis for the name of the healing modality to which he dedicated his life’s work. Can everybody be hypnotised? Yes because it is a normal state that everyone passes through before going to sleep. However, it is possible to resist Hypnosis, as it is possible to resist going asleep. With practice, the resistance to hypnosis can be overcome. What is the value of Hypnosis? It is often employed to reduce tension and discomfort that accompany various physical problems, and to aid certain rehabilitative procedures. is also used to address many problems such as anxiety, depression, destructive habits, and other emotional responses to the stress of daily life. Who can utilise Hypnosis? Only a qualified professional should decide if one needs hypnosis or would benefit from it. The professional person needs special training in the techniques and uses of hypnosis before being considered qualified. The professional should be a member of a registered therapeutic hypnosis association. Can’t hypnosis be dangerous? The hypnotic state is no more dangerous than the sleep state. Hypnosis, as portrayed in the movies, and other media, often strays far from reality. There are no dangers in therapeutic hypnosis when practiced by ethical and qualified therapists. Hypnosis is a safe and highly effective drug-free form of therapy for conditions that affect the body, mind and spirit. What does it feel like to be hypnotised? The experience of hypnosis is no different from that of relaxing and going asleep. Because this experience is so familiar, one may expect something startling different in hypnosis and be discouraged when hypnosis is induced. The mind is active, and thoughts are totally under the control of the client who perceives all stimuli and is able to communicate with the therapist. Occasionally heaviness in the arms and tingling in the hands and fingers may be experienced. Most have the idea that they will go through something different, new and spectacular in the hypnotic state. Often, they equate being hypnotised with being anaesthetised, being asleep or being unconscious. When in hypnosis they find that their mind is active; that they can hear every sound in the room; that they can resist suggestions if they so desire; that their attention keeps wandering, their thoughts race around; that they have not fallen asleep and they remember everything when they open their eyes and so believe that they are a poor subject and are apt to abandon hypnotic treatments. How does hypnosis work? The mind is completely suggestible. It is constantly bombarded with information from outside and suggestive thoughts and ideas from the inside. A good deal of human suffering is the consequence of “negative” thoughts and impulses invading one’s mind from subconscious recesses. Past experiences, guilt feelings and repudiated impulses and desires are incessantly pushing themselves into awareness, directly or in disguised forms, sabotaging one’s happiness, health and efficiency. In Hypnosis, we replace these “negative” thoughts and attitudes with “positive” ones. It can take some time to change the old patterns so do not be discouraged if there are no immediate effects. Professional hypnosis is confidential and non-judgmental.

What’s the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy? Some people use both terms to mean the same thing. Counselling is a form of ‘talk therapy’ with a short term focus (3-8 sessions) and focused on identifying and implementing potential solutions to a current issue or problem. Psychotherapy is a medium to longer-term process (often 10+ sessions) focused on long-standing attitudes, thoughts, behaviours and feelings that have significantly impacted on an individual’s quality of life, relationships and/or work. In this regard, psychotherapy is often considered ‘deeper’ than counselling as it seeks to uncover and modify the root or historical causes of your problems. Outcomes in psychotherapy are often more dramatic, as they may represent significant shifts in your perspective, beliefs, personality or feelings. Psychotherapy is also commonly focused on giving you the skills you need for ongoing self-reflection and self-knowledge. Such skills can be hugely valuable post-therapy in understanding your unconscious triggers and impulses and how your mind works. In practice, counselling and psychotherapy can look very similar from the outside. For example, both counselling and therapy sessions are typically 60 minutes in duration. Psychotherapists also use many of the same core skills as counsellors. Professional counselling is confidential and non-judgmental.

What is Psychosexual Counselling/Sex Therapy? Psychosexual Counselling or Sex Therapy is a professional and ethical treatment approach to issues of sexual function and expression. Sexuality is of legitimate concern to professionals and that it is the right of individuals to expert assistance with their sexual difficulties. Psychosexual counselling employs many of the same basic principles as the other therapeutic modalities, but is unique in that it is an approach developed specifically for the treatment of sexual issues. That is, psychosexual counselling is a specialised form of treatment used with one aspect of the wide range of human issues. Psychosexual Counselling then, is the focusing of specialised clinical skills on helping people of all ages and backgrounds as individuals and/or as couples to deal more effectively with their sexual expression. Psychosexual Counselling is the result of relatively recent scientific attention to human sexual function and dysfunction. Out of the increased knowledge of the physiology and psychology of human sexual behaviour has come a new professional appreciation for human sexual response. At a time in our society when sexuality is being more openly discussed, we are beginning to realise how uninformed many people really are about this important personal topic. All therapy depends upon trust and mutual respect, but this is particularly true when working with intimate issues of sexuality. The importance of sexual function for individuals varies, of course, but for many it is closely tied in with their total concept of self-identity. For these, problems in sexual function may lead to devaluation of self - "When I cannot feel good about my sexuality, how can I feel good about myself?" Regardless of the structure of the intimate relationship shared, sexuality serves a valuable function for most couples. It becomes an expression of caring, not only for the partner, but for oneself. It can become a powerful bonding element in a relationship, which, in today's society, must withstand considerable demands on time, energy and commitment. Dissatisfaction with the sex and the loss of that shared intimacy, in many instances, may lead to negative feelings and attitudes which are destructive to the relationship. Many relationships end therefore, because of unresolved sexual differences and difficulties. Psychosexual counselling is confidential and non-judgmental. What is a Psychosexual Counsellor/Sex Therapist? Psychosexual Counsellors are specifically trained in sexuality topics and psychosexual therapy. People who have been trained specifically in counselling/psychotherapy receive training in self-awareness and the self in therapeutic context. Training in values and attitudes to sexuality is an extension of this, specifically focused on the sexological/psychosexual therapeutic arena. Values and attitudes training develops a psychosexual counsellor’s understanding of their own values and attitudes towards human sexuality and an understanding of topics many people are uncomfortable exploring. Although we may not agree with a sexual practice we need to be able to support people who engage in non-normative sexual practices. There are no physical examinations; a psychosexual counsellor will only ever talk with you. So what exactly does a Psychosexual Counsellor/Sex Therapist do? A psychosexual counsellor works with a wide variety of issues related to sexuality. They will listen to you without judgement and ask you some questions, so together they can begin to understand your concerns and discuss ways in which they may be able to assist. Clients seek help with such issues about arousal (impotence and frigidity), as well as issues with orgasm (either inability to climax or the inability to control ejaculation). In addition to seeking medical evaluation and treatment, many clients who experience painful intercourse also seek the assistance of a psychosexual counsellor. Couples often seek help when it becomes apparent that differences exist in their sexual desires or when they sense that their sexual relationship is not growing, as they would wish. The qualified psychosexual counsellor is also available to those wishing to resolve troublesome sexual inhibitions or change undesirable sexual habits. People with questions about their sexual identity or sexual preferences seek out the trained psychosexual counsellor for consultation. Psychosexual counsellors also assist those experiencing sexual difficulties as a result of physical disabilities or as the consequence of illness, surgery, ageing or trauma. As with any therapy for personal or behavioural difficulties, psychosexual counselling has its limitations. Although usually brief and effective with most sexual concerns, psychosexual counselling does not offer a miracle cure for all interpersonal problems.

COVID-19 Appointment Fee/Payment Information My fee for 1 hour appointments is $190. The rate recommended by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) is currently $240 for appointments of 60 minutes duration. Please speak directly with me should you be experiencing financial difficulties during Covid-19. Payment prior to each appointment is expected by EFTPOS or direct deposit unless by prior arrangement. Direct Deposits can be made to: LC Romanelli & Associates Pty Ltd (CBA) BSB: 067-600 Account Number: 11079422 Please make sure you include your name or invoice number when making a direct deposit.