Fees & Access
Counselling, Supervision & Parenting Support
Maria Sarina provides professional counselling, clinical supervision and structured parenting support designed to meet the individual needs of each client. Where possible, services are offered at an affordable or subsidised rate to ensure financial circumstances do not unnecessarily prevent people from accessing professional support.
Fees at a Glance
| Service | Fee | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free Counselling with Maria | $0 | Up to 6 sessions for eligible clients |
| Community Counselling with Maria | $50 / session | Affordable ongoing counselling where applicable |
| Friendship Centre Counselling | Free | Ongoing counselling with regular review |
| Clinical Supervision | Free / $50 | Subject to financial hardship assessment |
| Parenting & Child Behavioural Support Plan | $100 | Initial child/children session + written plan + 1 review |
| Six-Week Parenting Psychoeducational Program | $150 | 6 × 30-minute sessions + tailored education + progress monitoring + Certificate of Completion |
Counselling with Maria Sarina
Maria provides individual counselling for people experiencing personal, family, relationship, emotional or life circumstances where professional support may be beneficial. Counselling is person-centred and tailored to the individual needs and goals of each client.
Free Counselling
$0/ session
Up to Six Sessions
Clients experiencing genuine financial hardship may be eligible for up to six (6) counselling sessions with Maria Sarina at no cost. Eligibility is determined through a brief Financial Hardship Assessment.
Financial hardship may be considered in relation to:
- Income and employment
- Centrelink or pension payments
- Health Care Card or concession status
- Housing and rental costs
- Dependants and caring responsibilities
- Separation or family circumstances
- Domestic or family violence
- Medical or disability expenses
- Significant unexpected expenses
- Other circumstances affecting the person's ability to pay
Financial hardship is considered based on a person's overall circumstances rather than income alone.
Community Counselling Fee
$50/ session
Per Session
For clients who do not qualify for fully subsidised counselling, a $50 Community Fee per session may be available. The Community Fee is designed for people who may not meet the criteria for free counselling but who would experience difficulty accessing standard private counselling fees. The fee is payable prior to each scheduled session.
After Six Sessions
The initial free counselling allocation is limited to six sessions. Where ongoing counselling is required, the client may be referred to Friendship Centre Counselling Services for continued free counselling and regular review. This pathway allows clients experiencing ongoing financial hardship to continue accessing counselling support through the Friendship Centre counselling team.
Continuing with Maria Sarina
Clients who wish to continue counselling directly with Maria Sarina following their six free sessions may do so through the $50 Community Fee, subject to the applicable service arrangements. The $50 fee is payable prior to each session. If the $50 fee would still create significant financial hardship, clients are encouraged to discuss their circumstances with Maria.
Clinical Supervision
Maria Sarina provides professional and clinical supervision for counsellors and helping professionals. Supervision is tailored to the practitioner's experience, role, professional requirements and areas of development.
Supervision is available for:
- Counsellors
- Student counsellors
- Interns
- Volunteer counsellors
- Emerging practitioners
- Experienced practitioners seeking professional support
- Supervisors seeking supervision and professional development
Subsidised Supervision
Practitioners experiencing genuine financial hardship may be considered for free or subsidised supervision following a Financial Hardship Assessment. Where a practitioner does not qualify for fully subsidised supervision, a $50 Community Supervision Fee may be available. The Community Supervision Fee is payable prior to each supervision session.
Free or $50/ session
Parenting & Child Behavioural Support Plan
Practical Parenting Support After an Initial Session
Maria Sarina provides individualised parenting support for parents seeking practical strategies to better understand and respond to their child's behavioural, emotional or family needs. The Parenting & Child Behavioural Support Plan provides parents with a written plan that can be implemented at home.
The service includes:
1. Initial session with the child/children
Maria meets with the child or children to gain an understanding of their individual presentation, needs and areas requiring support.
2. Individualised Parenting & Child Behavioural Support Plan
Following the initial session, Maria prepares a written plan tailored to the family.
3. One review session
A follow-up review is included to discuss progress, identify challenges and make appropriate adjustments or recommendations.
The $100 fee is payable prior to the initial session.
The plan may include:
- Behavioural and emotional concerns identified
- Parenting strategies
- Communication strategies
- Behaviour management approaches
- Emotional regulation strategies
- Boundaries and expectations
- Routines and structure
- Positive reinforcement
- Strategies for responding to challenging behaviour
- Practical strategies for implementation at home
- Recommendations for supporting the child's wellbeing
- Recommendations for further support where appropriate
This service is designed as a practical parenting support service. It is not a psychological assessment, psychiatric assessment, diagnostic assessment or legal service.
Parenting Support & Psychoeducational Program
Six-Week Structured Parenting Program
Maria Sarina can provide a structured parenting program for parents who require additional education, guidance and support in developing effective parenting strategies. The program uses a psychoeducational model tailored to the individual needs of the parent and family. The focus is on education, practical skill development, accountability and supporting positive change.
Each session provides an opportunity to:
- Review progress
- Discuss successes and challenges
- Provide tailored psychoeducation
- Strengthen parenting skills
- Develop communication strategies
- Explore emotional regulation
- Support positive parenting approaches
- Review strategies being implemented at home
- Identify barriers to progress
- Adjust strategies according to individual needs
- Establish practical goals for the following week
The fee includes:
- Initial identification of parenting support needs
- Individualised psychoeducational approach
- Six weekly 30-minute sessions
- Progress monitoring
- Practical parenting strategies and resources
- Certificate of Completion
- Attendance/completion verification where appropriate
The $150 fee is payable prior to commencement of the program.
Upon successful completion of the six-session program, the parent will receive a Certificate of Completion. Where required, documentation may also be provided to verify factual information such as program enrolment, attendance, participation and completion of the six-week program. Documentation for court-related purposes may be provided where appropriate and where the information can be factually verified.
A Certificate of Completion or attendance verification does not constitute a court order, legal opinion, psychological assessment or guarantee of any particular legal outcome.
Financial Hardship & Reduced Fees
Maria Sarina recognises that financial hardship is not always reflected by income alone. A person may have an income above a particular threshold while still experiencing genuine financial difficulty because of housing costs, dependants, family circumstances, caring responsibilities, unexpected expenses or other significant financial pressures. For this reason, financial hardship is considered on an individual basis.
Financial Hardship Assessment
Clients or supervisees seeking free or subsidised services may be asked to complete a brief Financial Hardship Assessment. The assessment may consider:
- Employment status
- Household income
- Primary source of income
- Dependants
- Concession or Health Care Card status
- Housing costs
- Caring responsibilities
- Significant financial pressures
- Capacity to contribute toward counselling or supervision
Supporting documentation may be requested where appropriate. All financial information is treated confidentially.
Professional Discretion
Maria Sarina recognises that every person's circumstances are different. Professional discretion may be applied where exceptional circumstances exist. Where genuine financial hardship is demonstrated, Maria may consider whether free or subsidised support is appropriate, even where a person does not meet every standard eligibility criterion. The aim is to ensure that financial hardship does not unnecessarily prevent a person from accessing appropriate support.
Our Approach
Maria Sarina's approach is centred on accessibility, respect, practical support and individualised care. Whether you are seeking counselling for yourself, professional supervision, assistance with parenting, or a structured parenting program, the service is designed to provide clear guidance and practical support appropriate to your circumstances.
If you are unsure which service is right for you, please contact Maria to discuss your needs and the most appropriate pathway.
All financial information provided as part of an eligibility assessment will be treated confidentially and handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
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