Carol Schulz

Please Note: Carol’s books are currently closed. She will resume taking on new clients in January 2024.

My way of working as a therapist has developed through personal and professional experiences. Over many years I have learnt from and value working with children, teenagers, and adults at all stages of life. I also enjoy working with couples and families.

I have been working in a counselling role since 1990 as a Psychologist for 22 years and what I’ve noticed over and over again is how important the relationship is between the therapist and the person seeking help. This is affirmed through my own experience as well as research into what makes therapy effective for people.

When we are in pain, feel lost, stuck, confused, angry, desperate, in a mess or crisis we are especially vulnerable. The usual defences or ways of coping don’t work or are making things worse. The people we love and trust might be unavailable, or we don’t want to bother them, or we fear they might get angry or not understand. And just being in your own head is not helping.

So we seek professional help…and there is a sea of help out there, but how do you find the right fit? The reason I’m writing this is in the hope that people who relate to what I say here will find my approach helpful.
When we are vulnerable, we are more sensitive to judgement and rejection. We need compassion and honesty. We want to stop hurting.  We want clarity and a way forward, which we just can’t get a hold of in our present state of mind.

The kind of ‘talking’ in therapy is different from talking with friends or family. There are times when we need to be able to express our selves in a way that is not edited. Where we are free to say exactly what is going on in our minds and bodies in a way that will help us make sense of it all and turn the chaos into some kind of orderly plan or understanding that can lead to change.

To have someone who is by your side, in your corner, and will give you an honest and compassionate perspective, is really important in helping you to face and heal your own pain and find your own way forward.

Having lost close family members early in my own life, grief, loss, and depression has been familiar territory that informs my work with those who identify with this type of pain. Loss through change of all kinds can be painful and I am able to act as a companion and guide through this kind of experience.

I can be a sounding board for those who feel conflicted about important life decisions, or where life has become a scary mess and a person needs a place to get things straight in their mind to better guide their actions.

I’ve had a good deal of experience, and have a special fondness, for working with individuals with vulnerable personalities, where negative emotions can sweep them into a deep hole or a sea of unbearable emotions. Part of the work here is to find ways to calm and regulate emotions when they become overwhelming.

I have often worked with those struggling with anxiety, working along side as they find their own ways to ‘face the dragon’ stretching and growing their confidence in challenging old fears.

After completing my undergraduate degree in 1987 and working as a counsellor in the rehabilitation sector, I went on to complete my fourth year and then Masters in Psychology (Counselling) by 2004. I have trained at Relationships Australia as a Couple Therapist and have training in the use of Clinical Hypnosis and as part of my registration engage in ongoing Professional Development. I provide supervision to Provisional Psychologists completing their training to become registered.

How Carol approaches work with her clients

I am very attentive to each persons particular reason for coming to see me and we work from there. I want to understand what is their main concern. What is important and valuable to them as individuals, what do they feel they need and want for their lives, what is stopping them from taking the steps needed to achieve what they want for themselves. And often what has happened in the past that is somehow blocking their capacity to act. Through this process we discover the best way to work together.

There are many different approaches that can be used in therapy, approaches can involve not only talking but using experiential techniques which help to tune into the wisdom of the body and what it can tell us about our past hurts that also help resolve the pain inside. There are skills and practices to learn that help us to manage our unhelpful thought patterns, challenge our beliefs that bring us down, help us to recognise and regulate unruly emotions or ways to calm the mind. I will be interested to get an understanding of your strengths and potentials and can also offer suggestions that may help you develop yourself and heal.

Cost of sessions

The standard charge for a 50 minute session is $200. If you have a Mental Health Care Plan prepared by your GP under Medicare you will receive a rebate of $131.65 which means you will pay a gap of $68.35. For those with a referral from their psychiatrist or GP through a Mental Health Care Plan, Medicare now provides rebates for up to 20 sessions per calendar year during this post COVID period.

If you have an accepted claim with TAC, WorkCover, or Victims of Crime, there are no out-of-pocket expenses for sessions provided through these services.

For individuals with an NDIS package, psychological counselling can be included in their package.

Bulk bill services are available for people on a low income such as those accessing Disability Support Pension or Job search benefit, full time students and single parents.

Some private health insurance policies include psychological services. The rebate varies depending on the insurer and extras policy. Check your policy with your health insurance provider find out whether they provide rebates for the services offered. 

At least 24 hours notice if is requested if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. A late cancellation fee may be charged under some circumstances.