Experience the difference
Experienced Psychologists in Brisbane
Welcome to your healing space, Good Counsel. We offer a unique environment, much like your living room, so that you feel like you're visiting a friend for a warm drink rather than a clinical space.
Our Psychologists have a combined experience of more than 60 years, having worked in multiple settings and other professional fields, we have cultivated our team to offer everything you need to improve your mental health and well-being.
Our Administration staff are warm, professional and experienced to assist you with any queries you may have. We guarantee you'll feel better after you speak to us, and we will do everything we can to support you.
Business Hours
Monday 9am to 6pm
Tuesday 9am to 6pm
Wednesday CLOSED
Thursday 9am to 6pm
Friday CLOSED (voicemail checked)
Saturday 9am to 1pm (reception available)
Please note that we do not have wheelchair access; we apologise for any inconvenience.
For live updates on how Covid-19 is effecting appointments and trading hours please visit our Facebook page
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Good Counsel Psychology acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation, and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past, present and emerging. Haven is committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded, and that this land always was, always will be Aboriginal.
Our Psychologists
Kerry Horan
Kerry is a our Principal Psychologist with over 40 years experience. She has worked in both hospital and private settings with a wide range of clients. Kerry is extensively experienced in PTSD, working with victims of trauma (including sexual abuse) and is qualified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing). Kerry's approach has been described as having coffee with a friend. She has considerable experience working with people with Disabilities.
Erin Hitzke
Erin is a General Psychologist with over 15 years experience working extensively with couples, adults and adolescents who are suffering from depression, anxiety, acute and post-traumatic experiences, chronic pain, injury, chronic illness, bereavement and work-related and organisational issues (e.g. bullying and harassment). She is a trained EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapist.
Adam Masa
Adam is a General Psychologist after recently completing a Master of Psychology (Clinical). Adam has experience with a range of complex and acute mental health presentations, and is able to offer a range of brief and long-term therapeutic interventions, including: CBT, CBTp, ACT, Schema-Informed Therapy, DBT-Informed Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Adam has a very warm, empathetic, and non-judgemental approach, and is honoured to listen to his clients share their life experiences with him.
Ashleigh Schull
Ashleigh is a Clinical Psychologist and works with young adults and adults on a broad range of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, anger and adjustment difficulties. Ashleigh's therapeutic framework includes CBT, ACT and Schema Therapy to assist her clients in their recovery. Ashleigh is engaging, insightful and has a gentle approach.
Our Provisional Psychologists
Jake Burgess
Jake has a Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours from the University of Queensland and is currently under the Supervision of our Principal Psychologist, Kerry. Jake has spent the last two years working with ex-ADF rehabilitation clients, WorkCover clients, and in complex case management. Jake is engaging, warm and friendly; he has a welcoming conversational style of therapy and is invested in helping provide positive outcomes for his clients.
Our Counsellors
Yvonne Pirsic
Yvonne holds a Diploma of Counselling and she has found that people are wiser than they know. She has a particular enthusiasm for music, words and all things community; as well as a deep understanding of the value of each human life. With a background in theological support, she can talk with people comfortably about their own spirituality expressions and spiritual needs.
What is the difference between Provisional Psychologist and a Registered Psychologist?
Psychologists typically study a minimum of 4 to 5 years of psychology before becoming provisionally registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, also known as AHPRA. During this supervised practice period, provisionally registered psychologists are overseen by a fully registered psychologist.
Once they complete 6 years of combined study/supervision the provisionally registered psychologist can then become a fully registered psychologist. All of the provisionally registered psychologists at Good Counsel are skilled and knowledgeable in all aspects of the services they provide. Their being under supervision means that they are able to discuss their assessments and therapy implementation with a supervisor who is an even more experienced peer in the field of psychology.
What is the difference between a Counsellor and a Psychologist?
Counsellors use talk-based therapy to help people to develop self-understanding and make changes in their lives.
A counsellor will allow you to talk through your personal concerns, gain perspective, develop coping strategies, and increase self-awareness.
A Psychologist, in addition to the above, receives specific training in assessment and evidence based intervention as well as providing formalised diagnosis for Mental Health conditions.
Our Administrators
Psychology and Complex Case Management
Frances Hitzke
Sharna Duxson
Miriam Hitzke
Fran is our Practice Manager and opened Good Counsel 11 years ago and is a small business achiever. She is incredibly efficient and hard-working, with a range of skills in administration, accounting, medicare legislation, networking, financial management and marketing. Fran is very passionate about mental health and will go above and beyond for all our clients.
Sharna is our dynamic Medical Administrator with over 13 years experience in the field. Sharna is understanding and kind, with reams of patience. Sharna has an open-mindness and is always excited to learn new skills. Her ability to multitask is exceptional and she is eagerly awaiting your call to assist you.
Miriam is our enigmatic Medical Receptionist with over 5 years experience in her role. Miriam is friendly, organised and artistic. Miriam will make you feel welcome, attend to your enquiries and do all she can to make your Good Counsel experience a positive one.
Contact Us
0401 496 960
710 Robinson Road West, Aspley QLD 4034
admin@goodcounselpsychology.com
Please note that our clinic is not wheelchair accessible and we do not have a wheelchair accessible bathroom on the premises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Psychologist do?
Psychologists are experts in human behaviour. They use scientific methods to study the factors that influence the way that people think, feel and learn, and evidence-based strategies and interventions to help people to overcome challenges and improve their performance.
Many psychologists work directly with those experiencing difficulties, such as mental health disorders including anxiety and depression.
They help people to overcome relationship problems, eating disorders, learning problems, substance abuse, parenting issues, or to manage the effects of a chronic illness. Read more about common problems which psychologists are consulted on here.
The complex and interconnected work that psychologists do to help people lead happier and more meaningful lives is always underpinned by research. Many thousands of Australian psychologists work in academic or research settings, adding to this evolving understanding of human behaviour, and how it might be improved for the better.
Should I see my Doctor first?
It's your choice if you wish to see your Doctor before seeing a Psychologist. Your Doctor can provide you with valuable information regarding your mental health. Your Doctor can also provide you with a GP Mental Health Care Plan, they can assess and refer a patient for treatment of a mental disorder. This may include disorders such as:
Anxiety Disorders (generalised, phobia, panic disorder, separation anxiety, OCD), Depression, Bipolar Disorder
Schizophrenia, Attention Deficit Disorder, Eating Disorder, Bereavement Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Sleep Disorders.
Getting the support you need when dealing with these disorders is very important.
Under a GP Mental Health Care Plan eligible patients can receive;
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Up to 20 individual services in a calendar year. After 6 visits the referring doctor will assess progress and need for further treatment. The current rebate for general psychology is $88.25 and for clinical psychology, $129.55).
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Up to 10 group therapy services in a calendar year (you must request this from your Doctor at the time of creating your plan).
Please note we are not a Bulk Billing clinic.
Fees & Cancellation Policy
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General psychology consultation fee: $195.00 (the current Medicare rebate is $88.25).
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Clinical psychology consultation fee: $235.00 (the current Medicare rebate is $129.55).
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Provisional psychology consultation fee: $100.00 (no rebates available).
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Counselling (Individual) fee: $90.00.
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Counselling (Couples) fee: $130.00.
Sessions last for approximately 50 minutes and we ask that you bring along any relevant paperwork that you may have including letters, referrals, reports or legal documents. Please note that we do not offer Bulk Billing at our clinic.
Cancellation Policy
Kerry Horan & Erin Hitzke
If for some reason you need to cancel your appointment, we require at least 24 hours’ notice; otherwise, you will be charged a $97.50 cancellation fee. If your appointment occurs on a Monday, we require cancellation by 12pm the Friday prior or a $97.50 cancellation fee will apply. Please note that there are no Medicare rebates on cancellation fees.
Adam Masa
As Adam's appointments are after hours (Saturday morning), we require cancellation by no later than 12pm on the Friday prior to your appointment. If you cancel after this time, the full fee of $195.00 will be charged to you. Cancellation with less than 24 hours notice will incur a cancellation fee of $97.50. Please note that there are no Medicare rebates on cancellation fees.
Ashleigh Schull
As Ashleigh practices on a Monday, we require cancellation by no later than 12pm on the Friday prior to your appointment. If you cancel after this time, the full fee of $235.00 will be charged to you. Please note that there are no Medicare rebates on cancellation fees.
Jake Burgess
If for some reason you need to cancel your appointment, we require at least 24 hours’ notice; otherwise, you will be charged a $50.00 cancellation fee.
Yvonne Pirsic
If for some reason you need to cancel your appointment, we require at least 24 hours’ notice; otherwise, you will be charged a $45.00 cancellation fee.
Please be aware that we have waiting lists and missed appointments disadvantage other clients.
If you do not confirm your appointment via our automatic SMS system, we will contact you again via SMS and telephone.
All of our Psychologists are Medicare Registered Providers. Medicare rebates are available for up to 20 individual and 10 group allied mental health services per calendar year to patients referred by a GP managing the patient under a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan.
Medicare rebates are processed on the spot through our Software and your rebate will be deposited by Medicare into your account the following day. We have full Eftpos & Credit Card facilities available.