Suite 1, Level 3, 20 Wentworth Street, Parramatta Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · By appointment only
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What's going on

Anxiety & worryPanic, phobias, worry Depression & low moodWhen nothing feels worth it Trauma & PTSDEMDR and trauma therapy Stress & burnoutRunning on empty Sleep & insomniaCBT-I Relationships & couplesConflict, distance, repair ADHDAssessment and support OCDExposure-based treatment Grief & lossAfter a death or a loss Anger Pregnancy & new parents All conditions

How we help

Individual therapyOne-to-one or online Couples therapyGottman and EFT-informed TelehealthAustralia-wide, by video
Therapy approachesCBTACTEMDRDBTSchemaAll approaches
Programs & groupsMindfulness-X, P3, EAP AssessmentsADHD, autism, cognitive

Getting started

AppointmentsReply within one business day Fees & rebatesMedicare, NDIS, private Your first sessionWhat happens on the day Find a psychologistBy concern, language, day Urgent helpIf you need support now Free · 5 to 10 minMind Health Check
New here?How Medicare worksCommon questionsAbout the practice Not sure where to start? 1300 084 200

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Refer a clientOne form, every pathway For GPsPlans, letters, reports Referrer HubYour referrals, in one place Reports & assessmentsADHD, autism, cognitive Medico-legalFor insurers and schemes

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Editorial pick

The referral pathways guideWhich form, which plan, how long a report takes.Read the guide
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Free resources

Fact sheets36 PDFs, plain language Worksheets & guidesPractical and printable CoursesFree and self-paced HEALTHY frameworkHow the practice thinks Free · 5 to 10 minMind Health Check

Editor's pick

Read with intentionA plain guide to stress: what it is, and everyday ways to manage it.Read article
From the journal:Clinician notesSubscribe Plain-language insights from our clinicians

The practice

Our storyWestern Sydney, since 2004 Approach & valuesHow we think about good care Practice newsWhat is changing, and when Room rentalConsulting rooms, Parramatta CareersJoin a values-led practice

Our clinicians

Bülent AdaPrincipal Psychologist & Director Sijal AnsariClinical Psychologist Robert RuaneClinical Neuropsychologist Taline BardakjianConsultant Psychologist Mohan ShankarappaClinical Psychologist Michael L. T. CheungConsultant Psychologist Shahim AhmadClinical Psychologist Steve SuttonCounselling Psychologist Irfan YigitSenior Consultant Psychologist Bill SinghConsultant Psychologist Elizabeth LeeClinical Psychotherapist Shareen BirgesCounselling Social Worker Annette HaggertyConsultant Psychologist

Practical

Your first sessionWhat happens on the day Fees & rebatesMedicare, NDIS, private Questions & answersThe ones we are asked most Contact & locationParramatta, and by video Client portalAppointments, forms, invoices FormsConsent and authority

Find your fit

Meet the cliniciansWarm and down-to-earth. Find the right match for you.Find a psychologist
Visit us:Parramatta clinicTelehealth AU-wideGet directions New clients welcome · no referral needed
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

Start from where you want to be.

Rather than analysing problems at length, SFBT looks forward, building on your existing strengths and small wins to move you toward the future you want, often in just a few sessions.

Request appointment How it works
What it helps with

What SFBT helps with

Every plan is tailored to you. This is a guide to where this approach is most often used.

Not sure if it's the right fit? That's exactly what your first session is for. We'll recommend the approach (or blend of approaches) that suits you.

How it works

The approach, step by step.

A clear sense of how the work unfolds, always at your pace.

  1. 1

    Picture the preferred future

    We get specific about what life looks like when things are better: a clear direction to work toward.

    Early sessions
  2. 2

    Find the exceptions

    We spot the times things already go a little better, and what you're doing then, to build on your existing strengths.

    The sessions that follow
  3. 3

    Take small steps

    We identify the next small, doable step. Momentum matters more than big leaps.

    Ongoing

SFBT is practical, warm and future-focused. Many people find it energising, and it often works in a shorter course than other therapies.

Fees & funding

Know your costs before you start.

With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, Medicare rebates apply to individual therapy. We'll always be clear about costs before you begin.

See fees
  • Medicare: rebates on up to 10 sessions a year with a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
  • NDIS, DVA, Workers Comp & CTP: usually no out-of-pocket cost when approved.
  • Private health: claim through your extras cover, with no referral needed.
A consulting room with grey seating, a wicker table and large windows.
Your clinicians

Practitioners who use this approach.

See all clinicians
Common questions

Things people ask before booking.

Is SFBT enough for serious concerns?
SFBT suits focused goals and feeling stuck. For complex trauma or long-standing patterns, we may recommend or combine it with a deeper approach. We'll be honest about fit.
How brief is 'brief'?
Often just a handful of sessions, though there's no fixed limit. You decide alongside your psychologist.
What is the miracle question?
It's a well-known SFBT question that asks you to imagine waking up tomorrow with your problem resolved, then describe what would be different. It helps you picture your preferred future in practical detail. Those details then become small, realistic steps to work towards.
What happens in an SFBT session?
Rather than going over the problem at length, your psychologist will ask about times things go a little better, what you're already doing that helps, and what you'd like to see change. Scaling questions, such as rating where you are from 0 to 10, help track progress. Sessions usually end with one small step to try.
Can SFBT be done online?
Yes. SFBT is conversation-based, so it works well over telehealth. Many people find short online sessions easy to fit around work and family.
Is SFBT covered by Medicare?
Psychologists can use solution-focused approaches within Medicare's Better Access arrangements. If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates on sessions with a psychologist. We can explain how it works when you book.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly with us any time. A referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP is only needed to claim Medicare rebates.
Related
References
  1. Gingerich WJ, Peterson LT. (2013). Effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy: A systematic qualitative review of controlled outcome studies. Research on Social Work Practice, 23(3), 266-283. doi.org/10.1177/1049731512470859
  2. Kim JS. (2008). Examining the effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy: A meta-analysis. Research on Social Work Practice, 18(2), 107-116. doi.org/10.1177/1049731507307807
Reading and tools

Further reading and free tools.

From the Journal

All articles

Fact sheets

All fact sheets

Free self-checks

The Mind Health Check
Which approach might suit? A rough guide to what each therapy focuses on most; your psychologist will help you choose, and many people use more than one.

Thinking and behaviour

Emotion and acceptance

Trauma memory

Relationships

Strengths and solutions

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Accepting new clients

Your next step starts here.

Tell us what's going on and we'll match you with the right psychologist, usually after a free triage. No referral needed to begin.

Request appointment Call 1300 084 200
ConfidentialReply within one business dayMedicare rebates may apply
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Suite 1, Level 3, 20 Wentworth St, Parramatta
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