Common questions
Things people want to know before they book.
If your question isn’t here, message on WhatsApp and I’ll answer personally.
Will seeking therapy affect my visa or immigration status in Australia?
No — not in any way. Seeking mental health support in Australia is fully protected under the Privacy Act 1988. Nothing from your sessions is shared with the Department of Home Affairs, your employer, your university, or any immigration authority. Your visa status is completely unaffected. This applies equally to student visas (Subclass 500), skilled worker visas (482, 485), partner visas, and permanent residents. Many Indian migrants carry this fear — it is understandable, and it is unfounded. You have the same confidentiality rights as any Australian citizen.
Are sessions completely confidential? What gets shared and with whom?
Sessions are strictly confidential. Nothing is shared with your family, employer, university, or any government body. The only exceptions are narrow legal obligations that apply to all therapists in Australia — for example, if there is a serious and imminent risk of harm to yourself or someone else. Outside of those rare circumstances, everything you share stays between us. I operate under the ACA Code of Ethics, which makes confidentiality a professional requirement, not just a preference.
My family doesn’t know I’m considering therapy. Do I have to tell them?
No. Your decision to seek support is yours alone. I understand that for many Indian families, therapy still carries stigma — and the fear of what family members might think is real and valid. You are not obligated to tell anyone. Sessions are online, from wherever you are, and completely private. Many clients begin without telling anyone in their family, and that is entirely their right.
Do I need a GP referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan to book?
No. You book directly — no GP visit, no referral letter, no Mental Health Treatment Plan required. This removes one of the biggest barriers in the Australian system, where the standard pathway can take weeks before you even speak to a therapist. At ValueTherapy you can go from first contact to first session within days.
What happens in the free clarity call? What should I expect?
It’s a 30-minute conversation — no clinical intake, no paperwork, no pressure. You tell me what’s going on and what you’re hoping to change. I explain how I work and whether I think I can genuinely help. If we’re a good fit, we agree on an approach and schedule sessions from there. If I’m not the right person for your situation, I’ll tell you honestly and point you toward someone who is. There is no obligation to continue.
I’ve never done therapy before. How do I know if I even need it?
You don’t need a diagnosis or a crisis to benefit from therapy. If you’re experiencing persistent stress, difficulty sleeping, tension in your relationships, a flatness you can’t shake, or simply the sense that you’re carrying more than you should be — that’s enough reason to talk to someone. Therapy isn’t only for people who are “sick.” It’s for anyone who wants to function better, feel more like themselves, and navigate life with more clarity. The free call is the lowest-risk way to find out if it would help you.
Can we do sessions in Hindi?
Yes. Sessions are available in English and Hindi. Many clients find that certain emotions, particularly those tied to family dynamics, cultural expectations, or childhood experiences, are easier to express in their first language. If you’d prefer to speak in Hindi for the whole session or switch between languages, that’s completely fine. You don’t need to explain or justify it.
How long are sessions and how often do we meet?
Each session is 75 minutes. Most clients begin with weekly sessions, which builds momentum and allows for consistent progress. As things improve, we move to fortnightly and then as-needed. There’s no fixed number of sessions required — we work at a pace that makes sense for you, not a predetermined programme.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person sessions?
Yes. The research is consistent: online therapy produces equivalent outcomes to in-person therapy for anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship issues. Many clients find it easier to open up from their own space — without the exposure of physically entering a clinic. You attend from wherever you are in Australia, at a time that works around your schedule and time zone.
Do you offer couples therapy online?
Yes. Couples sessions are available online for $79.99 per session. Both partners join the same video call from wherever they are — you don’t need to be in the same location. I work with couples at any stage of their relationship, newly arrived or long established in Australia, using Gottman Method and Integrative Behavioural Couple Therapy approaches that are specifically adapted to navigate cultural expectations and family pressures.
How much do sessions cost? Is Medicare or insurance accepted?
Individual sessions are $49.99 and couples sessions are $79.99 — less than half the standard Australian private rate. Medicare is not used and no rebate applies, which also means no GP referral is needed and no cap on the number of sessions. Many temporary visa holders are ineligible for Medicare anyway — ValueTherapy was specifically designed to make quality therapy accessible without that dependency. Payment is processed securely at time of booking.
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes. If after your first paid session you feel it wasn’t right for you, I offer a full refund — no questions asked. This removes the financial risk of trying something unfamiliar. I’m confident in what I do, and I want you to feel safe taking that first step without worrying about wasted money.
What is your cancellation policy?
Sessions cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice are fully refunded or rescheduled at no charge. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice may incur the full session fee, as that time cannot easily be reallocated. Life happens — if you have an emergency, please reach out via WhatsApp and we’ll sort it out.
Will you understand my Indian family background and cultural expectations?
Yes — and this is the core reason ValueTherapy exists. I grew up in India, spent 12 years as a professional in Melbourne, and have worked with Indian clients across both countries for over a decade. I understand what it means to hold family duty and personal wellbeing in tension simultaneously. I understand the pressure of expectations, the dynamics of arranged marriages, the weight of being the family member who “made it” abroad, and the specific loneliness of feeling like you belong fully in neither place. I don’t ask you to explain your culture. I already know it.
Will you tell me to cut off my family or put myself first?
No. This is one of the most common fears people have about Western therapy — and it’s a fair concern. Most therapeutic frameworks are built around individual autonomy and will push you toward boundary-setting as the default solution. My approach is different. Family connection, duty, and collective harmony are real values, not pathologies to overcome. I help you find a way to carry your responsibilities without being broken by them — not choose between yourself and your family.
I’ve been in Australia for over 20 years. Is this still relevant for me?
Absolutely. The challenges of living between two cultures don’t resolve themselves with time — they evolve. Long-term Indian residents in Australia often carry a different set of pressures: children who are culturally distant, ageing parents in India they can’t easily reach, marriages under strain from decades of cultural negotiation, or a quiet identity erosion that’s hard to name. These are real and significant, and they are exactly what I work with.
How long does therapy take before I notice a difference?
Most clients notice something shift within the first three to five sessions — not a complete resolution, but a different relationship with what they’re carrying. Meaningful and lasting change typically takes longer, depending on how long the issue has been present and how complex it is. I don’t believe in open-ended therapy with no clear direction. Every few sessions we review whether the approach is working and adjust if needed. You’ll always know where we are and why.
I’m not sure if what I’m experiencing is “bad enough” for therapy. Should I still reach out?
Yes. The idea that you need to be in crisis before therapy is appropriate is one of the most harmful myths in mental health care. Particularly in Indian culture, people often wait until they hit a wall before asking for help. Therapy is most effective — and most efficient — when started before things reach that point. If something is affecting your sleep, your relationships, your ability to be present, or your sense of yourself, that’s enough. You don’t need to justify it.
Still have a question?
Message on WhatsApp and I’ll answer personally — or book the free call and ask anything you need to there.
30 minutes · Completely confidential · English or Hindi