
Orwil Street Community House offers counselling at a reduced cost to community members who are not eligible for bulkbilling or NDIS. Rates are as follows: For the first visit a fee of $50.00 is required.
For all following visits the fee will be $40.00 per session.
James is available for Couples counselling. The cost for the first visit is $70.00. For all following visits the fee will be $60.00 per session. Please call the House for bookings or more information on 9783 5073.
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*Cancellation policy*
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If cancelling your appointment, 24 hours notice of cancellation must be given, otherwise, a fee will be charged. If you are a new client you may reschedule your first appointment twice giving the 24-hour notice. If this condition is not met, you will be asked to pay a booking fee of $50.00 before making any further appointments. At the first visit, you will be given a copy of our policy and will be asked to pay your fees before you commence your appointment.
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Please Note* We do not wish people to be excluded because of financial pressure, so please, talk to our Manager (in complete confidence) if costs are a problem for you.
Denise White
Denise is a compassionate, client-centred counsellor. Her holistic approach blends traditional counselling techniques with body awareness, mindfulness, and her deep belief in the healing power of creativity. She is available to support individuals navigating anxiety, grief, life transitions, and self-esteem challenges, as well as people wanting a deeper connection with themselves and the people around them. Denise works with adults and teens (NDIS participants are welcome). She is passionate about empowering individuals to overcome what they need to build the life and happiness they desire. She will also be running monthly “Explore your Heart with Art” creative therapy workshops. Based at Orwil Street Community House Denise is also available for online or telehealth appointments. Denise has a Diploma of Counselling, is an Initiatic Art Therapy Practitioner and a member of the Australian Counselling Association.

James Rankin
James brings more than just professional training to his practice. His personal journey of healing and growth has cultivated a deep sense of inner peace and genuine compassion that resonates throughout his sessions. Having lived and worked across four countries, he offers a unique, globally-informed perspective. With a diverse background as a support worker, training facilitator, and sports coach, James draws from a versatile and practical toolkit to help you navigate life’s challenges. This blend of professional insight and real-world experience makes the therapeutic process both profound and accessible.
James is a qualified counsellor, registered with the Australian Counselling Association, as well as a certified life coach and trained couples therapist. His approach is compassionate and person-centred, creating a safe and welcoming space where you can explore what’s going on for you and work towards your goals.

Rachel Austin
A person-centred, mindful relationship-based, trauma-informed approach is at the core of Rachel’s therapeutic clinical counselling practice. Utilising a range of techniques within her clinical practice which include but are not limited to (ACT) acceptance and commitment therapy, (DBT) Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness and talk based-narrative therapy to comprehensively and holistically support an individual’s needs.
Rachel is wholeheartedly inspired by the impact of mental health therapy and advocating for positive behavioural change, early intervention and recognising the importance of close collaboration with children, families and support network and committed to strengthening
relationships.
With a long portfolio career in allied health and health sciences, the ability to assess and navigate complex trauma, with areas of special interest include emotional health and wellbeing, perinatal mental health - collaborating with individuals experiencing perinatal challenges including depression, grief and loss, life transitions and parenting, mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, sleep and eating disorders.
With an aim to foster a warm, compassionate and safe environment for her clients to enhance the therapeutic process, with an ongoing commitment to professional development, always adapting and integrating evidence-based approaches to her therapeutic practice that align with the client to support them.
Rachel has recently completed additional perinatal mental health training with the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) and more specific perinatal mental health training in addressing postnatal depression with the University of Exeter, furthermore, completing the training program for effective psychological treatment of borderline personality disorder and is
undertaking the Graduate Certificate in Women’s and Children’s Health.

Sandra Garnier

Sandra is a warm and approachable counsellor who believes in people and their ability to overcome life’s struggles to find a healthier and more peaceful way of living.
She considers her counselling to be a collaboration between herself and her clients, accompanying them as a ‘companion’ along their journey to wellbeing. Sandra specialises in anxiety/depression counselling as well as relationship counselling and spiritual direction.
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Sandra has completed 8 full-time years post-year 12 study which includes a Bachelor's Degree in Social Science (Pastoral Counselling), (plus one year (3rd year) of a Social Work degree, plus a Diploma/of Arts Therapy (total of 4 years of Art Therapy qualifications.
Lynne Alexandra
Lynne has many years of experience as a social worker, including the last 14 years of counselling in Community Health across a broad range of situations and needs.
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She is warm and compassionate and is skilled in working with anxiety and depression, family violence and recovery, parenting (including where children are expressing disrespectful/inappropriate behaviours), children and adolescents, social skills and relationship issues, adjustment to health issues, grief, trauma, and backgrounds of childhood abuse.
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Lynne has a holistic and respectful approach, being guided by what you want out of counselling.
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She has skills in several counselling approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness and relaxation, art therapy, and has a particular interest in Narrative Therapy, which celebrates the complexity and richness of life stories and explores the creative skills people have used to respond to and manage difficult circumstances in their lives. Lynne sees her role as supporting people to gain a greater sense of confidence and control, to then find a way through the challenges that life can present. Lynne is Registered with Medicare and can provide Bulk Billing services.
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Wei Lai
Wei is an ACA registered Counsellor with A Master's Degree in Clinical Counselling and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology and Sociology. He provides counselling sessions using a range of evidence based counselling techniques, and conducts sessions with great sensitivity and compassion. Sessions are centred around client success and goal focused solutions in healing. Wei fosters a safe, affirming, and inclusive space for trans and gender expansive folx and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. He utilises meditation techniques and music in his practice accordingly.
