About MGA Counselling Services 

At Matt Glover & Associates (MGA), we believe that life is meant to be lived, not endured. But with so many issues draining our time and resources, we sometimes find our selves lacking energy, wondering if we can ever regain a sense of purpose and meaning. The counsellors at MGA are committed to exploring ways of facing, challenging and overcoming those things that are holding you back from a more fulfilled life.

Situated in Croydon Hills (Vic), Warrandyte (Vic), Lilydale (Vic), Northbridge (NSW) and Hobart (Tas),  MGA provides easily accessible and affordable help. Counselling via Phone/Zoom is available to rural, interstate and overseas clients, or those that are unable to travel from home.

At MGA, we are also aware that counselling can be a daunting prospect if you’ve never been before. New clients often state how nervous they are at their first session, and how much courage it took to make the call in the first place. Be assured that our approach at MGA is client centered. That is, we are guided by you and what it is that you want to talk about. Sometimes we might ask questions or delve a bit deeper into an issue, but always with your consent. You are in control of the session.

We also believe that at least 50% of a good outcome in counselling depends on how well you connect with your counsellor. If, after your first session, you feel your counsellor is not a good match for you, our commitment is to help find a counsellor that is a better match. 

The counsellors at MGA are all tertiary qualified, are members of the Australian Counselling Association, and bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge. With over 50 years combined experience in counselling and pastoral care, the MGA team are able to help you with issues ranging from depression and anxiety, sexuality, gender identity, relationships, trauma, grief, family conflict, addictions, and adjusting to new life circumstances, such as newly diagnosed chronic illnesses, redundancy or relationship breakdown.

For general enquiries, call us on 1300 38 50 20 or use the links on the contact page.

Scroll down for more information about our counsellors, maps of our locations, the current fee schedule, and some frequently asked questions. 

Matt Glover – Director and principal therapist

BSc (Hons), BTheol, GradDipTheol, M (Counselling)
M.A.C.A. (Level 4)
Registered Supervisor
ACT Therapist
Prepare/Enrich facilitator

Matt is an accredited counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association and holds a Masters degree in counselling from Monash University. Since 1998 Matt has been involved in a variety of counselling and pastoral care roles ranging from home based health care to emergency relief and crisis support. Currently he is the director of MGA Counselling services and provides individual, couple, family and group counselling at the Croydon Hills and Warrandyte centres. Matt provides professional and personal development courses on a range of topics and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media on sexuality and mental health.

Matt specialises in:

Zoe Broomhead – Counsellor

B.A. (Counselling), Cert IV TAE
Grad Cert Developmental Trauma
PACFA (Reg), CCAA (Clin)
Registered Supervisor
M.A.C.A. (Level 4)

Zoe is a clinically accredited counsellor who spent twelve years working in community-based counselling centres. Zoe has worked in her own Practice since 2006 as well as lecturing in the counselling field.

In counselling practise Zoe has particular interest working with trauma informed approaches, working with clients with both recent and past trauma, anxiety and depression with both young people and the general population. Zoe has specific trauma training in developmental trauma and in working with trauma in the body. Differing modalities include, experiential, sand tray work, a sensorimotor approach, a developmental trauma model, as well as the more traditional therapies of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Transactional Analysis and Person Centred approaches.

Zoe works out of the counselling rooms at Warrandyte.

To contact Zoe, email Zoe@livinglife.net.au or call 0402 475 333.

Gail Ackroyd – Counsellor

B.A (Psychology/Sociology)
Diploma Counselling
Diploma of Human services
Diploma of Chaplaincy
Graduate Certificate in Grief, Loss and Trauma Counselling
Certified Life Coach
M.A.C.A. (Level 2)

Since 2014, Gail has worked in school-based wellbeing, offering short- and long-term counselling to students, facilitating group work, and providing support to students and parents with a diverse range of issues. Gail is passionate about working with adolescents and children and believes this is a pivotal time for therapeutic intervention which can help young people meet their potential.

Gail’s ongoing training as well as her own lived experience has given her the skills to assist young people, and women and men of any age. Her areas of special interest and specialised training include trauma, loss, relationship breakdown and abuse recovery. Gail is also a qualified Life Coach and enjoys working with clients to assist them in compassionately working through issues that that are holding them back and moving them towards their hopes and dreams for the future.

Gail recently completed her Supervision Training and is available for Professional Supervision, both one on one or in a group setting.

In her counselling work, Gail uses Trauma Informed therapy, Somatic and Sensory practices, group work, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Creative Arts Therapy, Psycho education, Tree of Life, Narrative Therapy and Coaching.

Gail works out of the Lilydale rooms and can be contacted on gail@mgacounselling.com.au  or 0410 770 105.

Leigh Jones – Counsellor

Diploma Of Counselling Practice.
Bachelor of Counselling and Psychotherapy (In progress. Due for completion Nov 2023)
ACA (Student membership)
PACFA (Student membership)

I believe that ‘’Talking is the medicine of the soul” The most powerful thing we can do is to speak up and share what is on our minds. Talking with a professional can be a transformative tool in promoting self-awareness, growth, and emotional well-being.

Throughout my studies, I have gained experience and developed skills to support individuals in exploring and addressing personal challenges and difficulties. I am dedicated to creating a safe and confidential space where clients can share their experiences without judgment or criticism.

My approach to Counselling is integrative, drawing from various therapeutic modalities such as person-centred, psychodynamic, and cognitive-behavioural therapy. I tailor my approach to meet each client’s unique needs and preferences, while always prioritising their goals and objectives.

I have experience working with clients on a variety of issues such as anxiety, depression, relationship problems, self-esteem, stress, and life transitions. I also have a particular interest in supporting individuals to believe that they are worthy and capable of reaching goals.

I believe that everyone has the capacity for growth and change, and I am committed to helping clients identify and utilise their own strengths and resources to reach their goals.

Leigh works out of our North Strathfield rooms in Sydney and can be contacted at leigh@mgacounselling.com.au or on 0412 277 351.

Amanda Myring – Counsellor

Diploma of Counselling – ACA Accredited Level 2
Clinical Pastoral Education – Spiritual Care – Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre – Barwon Health Community Palliative Care
Gottman Relationship Counselling – Level 1 & 2
Solution Focused Brief Therapy
Mindfulness Based Therapies
Forest Therapy & Tree of Life
Death Walker Training – Zenith Virago

Amanda facilitates open, honest and non-judgemental sessions, with a holistic and person-centred approach. This safe space allows for therapeutic relationships to be built with clients from diverse backgrounds and age groups.
Amanda uses an array of modalities and adapts therapy to meet clients ‘where they are at’.

Together, you can explore presenting challenges, identify existing strengths, deepen self-awareness, and develop strategies to nurture change and build resilience.

Amanda’s integration of spiritual care in hospital and palliative care settings informs her practice.

Amanda particularly enjoys helping people through life transitions, grief and loss, adjustment to illness, stress, anxiety, trauma, and relationship counselling (individual and couples).

Amanda is located on the Bellarine coast at Kirks Place (arts and spiritual centre), 100 metres from the beach in Point Lonsdale.

Email enquiry to amanda@mgacounselling.com.au or 0425 891 033.

Kayte Kitchen – Horticulture Therapist & Counsellor

Grad. Dip Education
Diploma and Grad Cert. of Counselling
Cert 3 Horticulture
Member of ACA
Member of Therapeutic Horticulture Australia

Kayte is an accredited counsellor and teacher who loves to use nature as her setting for learning, growing and healing.

Kayte has a history of teaching, group work, and counselling in secondary schools and has combined her desire to help people through counselling and education with her lived experience as a horticulturalist and nature lover.

Creating safe spaces in nature can be less threatening for many people and through immersive experiences, skills based training and sensory awareness, clients experience the benefits that nature can bring. Nature is a wonderful teacher and healer.

Sessions can be counselling focused or activities focused, short or longer term and Kayte draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Person Centred approaches.

Kayte also works at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne as a Garden Therapist and specialises in nature based experiences with children and young people, including neurodivergent individuals.

Kayte works out of her Greensborough location and can be contacted on kayte@mgacounselling.com.au or 0407 387 486.

Kaytie Blackett – Student Psychotherapist and Counsellor

Bachelor of Counselling and Psychotherapy (In progress. Due for completion November 2024)
ACA (Student membership)

Kaytie is currently in her final year of studying Psychotherapy and Counselling with Ikon Institute of Australia.

Kaytie has a history of teaching in Adult Learning Centres where she taught stress reduction courses, focussing primarily on meditation and mindfulness techniques, having trained to be a meditation & mindfulness instructor shortly after completing her Post Graduate Certificate in Education.

Kaytie is training to be an integrative therapist, which requires a deep understanding of various therapeutic modalities and a diverse skill set which can be integrated in a way that best fits the individual needs and goals of the client.

Kaytie wholeheartedly believes in the power of talking as a way of promoting growth and healing and supporting psychological health. She also has a deep love and lifelong passion for nature and with her training as an Ecotherapist, Kaytie believes that taking therapy outside into nature offers a deeper level of healing and wellbeing.

Kaytie is based in Bondi Junction in Sydney and can be contacted at kaytie@mgacounselling.com.au or on 0455 452 158.

MGA Counselling Services Locations

Matt Glover, director of MGA Counselling Services works primarily out of the Warrandyte and Croydon Hills locations. Matt is also available for online consultations for interstate and overseas clients, or those that are unable to travel. Phone consultations are also available.  

Lilydale Rooms
1/122 Beresford Road, Lilydale

At the foot of the majestic Dandenong Ranges, the Lilydale rooms are easily accessible to those living in the outer Eastern Suburbs and the Yarra Valley.

Nature and Forest Therapy is available. We are spoilt for choice with Yarra Valley Trail in Beresford Road, Olinda Creek Trail and Lilydale lake all within a close distance.

Ample off street parking, disabled access and facilities at this site.  

For more information about the Lilydale rooms, click here. 

Hobart Rooms
203 Liverpool Street
Hobart

Our Hobart rooms are located at the west end of Liverpool Street, a 300 metre walk from the city centre.  Across the road is “Straight Up Coffee + Food” which is well-known for their gluten free and vegetarian meals.  “Hamlet”, a social enterprise eatery renowned for their in-house bread, butter, cheese and preserves, is siutated 500 metres away  at the entrance of Hobart Rivulet Park, which is a beautiful, picturesque walk.

Centrepoint Car Park is a 300 metre walk from Hobart rooms. The first hour of parking is free.

For more information on the Hobart rooms, click here.

Fee Schedule for 2023

At MGA Counselling Services, we endeavour to keep the fee schedule as affordable as possible. The general fees per 50 minute session from 1st January 2023 are listed below:

Individual Concession – $120

Individual Full Fee – $140

Couple Concession – $140

Couple Full Fee – $160

Supervision Concession – $120

Supervision Full Fee – $140

NDIS Session – determined by the relevant category in the referral.

All prices are inclusive of GST

Please note there may be some variation in the fee structure depending on the geographic location/State that your session is being held in. 

MGA Counselling Services does not provide free counselling or rates discounted beyond what is listed above. Some health insurance policies will cover counselling. Please check with your provider if this is the case before attending your session. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a doctors referral to see you?

No, you do not need a GP referral to see a counsellor. Many issues that we cover in the counselling rooms are not medially related (for instance, pre-marriage counselling) so a medical referral is not needed. Self referral is fine.

I have a mental health plan. Can I use it to see you?

Unfortunately, a mental health plan can only be used when seeing a psychologist or mental health social worker. It will allow you to claim ten sessions in a calendar year on Medicare. However, the gap you are required to pay is roughly the equivalent of the fees for MGA Counselling Services. Longer term, counselling can me more cost efficient that psychology for the same level of professional care. 

Can I claim your fee through Medicare?

No. See above regarding the mental health plan. 

Can I claim your fee through my health insurance?

Some insurers will allow you to claim the cost of your counselling. However this is not the case for all insurers or all policies. Please check your policy before attending your session if you intend to make a claim. 

How do you take payment?

We accept Visa, MasterCard and cash. We cannot do EFTPOS. Electronic transfer can be arranged prior to your appointment. Payment must be made on the day of your appointment. 

What card holders are eligible for the concession rate?

Seniors, student, disability, health care, and DVA card holders are all eligible for concession. Your card must be produced on the day of your first appointment. 

What will happen in my first session?

In your first session you will fill out the intake form and the credit card payment form (if relevant). After your counsellor has run through expectations, confidentiality, the fee structure, your responsibilities and the cancellation policy, you will also sign a contract that ensures you get the best service possible. 

Once the paperwork is done, the remainder of the first session is about telling the story of what led you to counselling, where you are at presently, and what you are hoping to achieve. Then we schedule some further sessions and begin the work. 

For couples, the process is slightly different as the initial assessment is more rigorous. After the first session, you will both be required to fill out an online assessment, then you both will have individual sessions with your counsellor. 

How many sessions will I need?

This various greatly. Some clients come once and that’s all they need. Other clients see counselling as part of their self-care and have a regular fortnightly or monthly appointment.  Others have an intensive number of weeks then slowly ease off to the point that counselling can conclude. 

Are my sessions confidential?

To a point. This will be covered by your counsellor in the first session. In summary, confidentiality will only be broken if you are deemed to be at risk or you disclose anything covered by mandatory reporting. 

Is there a cancellation policy?

Yes. If you cancel your appointment with less than 24hours notice, or simply don’t show up, you will be charged your normal session fee. 

What if I don’t like you?

At MGA we firmly believe that at least 50% of a good outcome in counselling depends on the rapport you have with your counsellor. If you feel your current counsellor is not a good match, please let us know and we will do our best to find a counsellor in our networks more suitable to your needs. 

I’m about to see another counsellor. What should I ask them before I make my first booking?

Counselling is an unregulated industry in Australia. This means that anybody can become a counsellor, regardless of whether they have had training or not. 

To ensure you get appropriate, professional treatment ask about your counsellors training (ideally this should be Bachelor level or above) and whether they are part of a professional body. The Australian Counselling Association is the peak body for counsellors in Australia.

MGA Counselling Services
Director: Matt Glover
General enquiries: 1300 38 50 20
148 - 150 Yarra Street, Warrandyte, Victoria
Manna Gum Studio, 4 Oxford Close, Croydon Hills, Victoria
1/122 Beresford Street, Lilydale, Victoria
203 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania
Wotso Healthspace, 1/5 George Street, North Strathfield NSW
Kirk's Place, Corner Kirk Road & Winterley Road, Point Lonsdale VIC

Greensborough address given at time of booking.

Specialties
Relationships | Abuse | Trauma | Grief | Anxiety | Depression | Sexuality | Gender
High Sensitivity | Introversion | Creativity | Spirituality | Life Direction/Coaching | Supervision

For the nature based health and wellbeing divisions of MGA Counselling Services, please visit:
Forest Therapy Victoria
Nature Play 4 Kids

If you’re looking for Matt Glover’s cartoon and illustration page, please visit www.mattglover.com.