Counselling
General Counselling in Armidale, Tamworth & Online
Most people who contact Change Play are not in crisis. They are tired, stretched thin, stuck on something they cannot talk their way out of alone, or carrying a worry that has quietly grown. General counselling is a confidential hour to put that down and look at it properly, with someone whose only job in that hour is to help you think.
What general counselling helps with
- Stress that has stopped switching off at the end of the day
- Anxiety, worry, and rumination
- Low mood, flatness, and loss of motivation
- Burnout and exhaustion at work or at home
- Big decisions and life transitions
- Self-esteem, self-doubt, and harsh self-criticism
What to expect
The first session is mostly about getting a clear picture: what brought you here, what you have already tried, and what would make a difference. From there, sessions are led by what you need rather than a fixed programme. Some people come for a handful of sessions to work through one thing; others stay longer. There is no minimum commitment and no package to buy.
General Counselling fees
60-minute session
$150 concession rate
$175
AUD incl. GST. The same fee applies online or in person. Full fees and policies
Where you can access general counselling
In person with Diane Gray across the New England North West, or online from anywhere in Australia at the same fee.
General Counselling in Armidale
NSW 2350 · Home base
View ArmidaleGeneral Counselling in Tamworth
NSW 2340 · ≈ 110 km south-west of Armidale
View TamworthGeneral Counselling in Uralla
NSW 2358 · ≈ 23 km south of Armidale
View UrallaAlso available in Gunnedah, Narrabri, Moree, Inverell, Glen Innes, Tenterfield.
Questions about general counselling
Is counselling the same as seeing a psychologist?
Not quite. Diane Gray is a counsellor practising in line with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics, not a registered psychologist. Counselling focuses on talking through what is happening for you and building practical ways forward. Because it is not a Medicare-registered service, sessions are not claimable through a mental health care plan, though some private health funds offer a rebate for counselling.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no fixed answer, and Change Play does not sell counselling packages for exactly that reason. Some people find a few sessions is enough to get unstuck. Others come fortnightly for several months. You book one session at a time and stop whenever it makes sense to.
What if I do not know where to start?
That is a completely normal place to begin, and it is not a problem. You do not need to arrive with your situation neatly explained. Working out what is actually going on is part of what the first session is for.
Other counselling services
Family Counselling
Support for families navigating conflict, separation, blended-family change, or communication that has broken down.
Trauma-Informed Support
Paced, trauma-informed counselling that follows your lead rather than pushing you to retell everything at once.
Grief & Loss Counselling
Space to grieve a death, a relationship, a role, or a future that did not arrive, for as long as you need it.
Youth Counselling
Counselling for children and teenagers, with parents involved to the degree that actually helps.