The MGA Counselling Services team

The counselling team at MGA Counselling Services is a group of compassionate and skilled professionals dedicated to supporting clients on their journey toward improved health and wellbeing. Led by Matt Glover, the team brings diverse expertise in addressing various issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship challenges. They are committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment where clients can explore their thoughts and emotions. Each team member tailors their approach to meet individual needs, offering personalized, evidence-based care that empowers clients to achieve personal growth and lead more fulfilling lives.

For more infromation about each counsellor, please click on their name.

Gisela Lafico
Counsellor
Earlwood, Online

Kaytie Blackett
Student Counsellor
Potts Point, Online

Life Therapies Victoria

MGA Counselling Services also has access to the team and resources of Life therapies Victoria, located in the beautiful bushland of Warrandyte, Victoria.
For more information about Life Therapies Victoria, click here. 

Current Fee Schedule

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 medically 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 than 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 or Mastercard. 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?

You will have completed the intake form online before you arrive at your first session. Your counsellor will briefly clarify anything required from the intake process, and then run you through some legal requirements. After that, you will start to tell the part of your story that has brought you to counselling and what you are hoping to achieve. 

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 varies 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 and whether they are part of a professional body. The Australian Counselling Association is the peak body for counsellors in Australia.

What we do

Each of the counsellors on the MGA Counselling Services have their own areas of special interest. Collectively MGA offers counselling in the following areas:

Relationships

Abuse Recovery

Trauma

Grief

Anxiety

Depression

Sexuality

Gender

Pornography Addiction

High Sensitivity

Introversion

Spirituality/Faith Deconstruction

Life Coaching

MGA Counselling Services
Director: Matt Glover
General enquiries: 1300 38 50 20

Head Office: Manna Gum Studio, 4 Oxford Close, Croydon Hills, Victoria

VIC Branches: Croydon Hills -  Warrandyte - Lilydale - Point Lonsdale - Boronia
NSW Branches:  North Strathfield - Earlwood - Maroubra - Potts Point

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