Better manage your life, work and relationships
Discover Talking Therapy with Mark Tonkinson and develop your self-awareness to help you cope better with life’s difficulties. I provide therapy sessions, In-person in the Brisbane CBD, or online via Video call.
Book a consultationAre emotional hurdles blocking your happiness?
Doesn’t life feel complicated sometimes?
I’m Mark Tonkinson, an experienced Psychodynamic Counsellor and Psychotherapist based in Brisbane. Through over 10 years as a professional therapist, I have witnessed first hand from a wide array of clients the challenges we all face in life.
Life isn’t always easy, and some challenges and difficulties we face can feel insurmountable to overcome. These challenges may come in the form of relationship issues, self-confidence, parenting, work and other experiences personal to you.
You may feel lost and not sure how you can navigate the path ahead.
It’s important to know help is there for you.
Together we can find your path foward
In my practice I’m guided by your personal experience and life story. I aim to collaboratively help you develop your self-awareness around how you cope with life’s difficulties which may help to:
- Bring some relief
- Promote personal growth
- Facilitate more choice and flexibility to develop into how you manage your life, work and relationships
About Mark
I am an experienced Psychodynamic Counsellor and Psychotherapist who has undertaken a rigorous training in London, UK leading to qualification at Masters level in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy. My consulting rooms are centrally located in the Brisbane CBD.
The psychodynamic model is an established and well recognised “talking therapy” treatment. Psychodynamic therapy has a research base indicating its effectiveness e.g. here and here.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Mark
Book a consultation
Services
Individual Therapy
These are some of the reasons people consult with me for individual therapy. You may wish to come for therapy with one of the above concerns or with another difficulty you are facing.
You may want talk with me about:
- Relationship issues
- Marriage, separation or divorce
- Problems with work
- Grief or loss of any kind
- Life change or transitions
- Trauma past or present
- Worries about the future
- Unexplained physical symptoms
- Anger issues or other problem behaviours
- Sexuality or sexual identity issues
- Intimacy issues
- Feelings of sadness or depression
- Feelings of uncontrollable worry or anxiety
Couple Counselling
At times it can be helpful to your relationship, or marriage, to talk to an understanding professional therapist who is outside your family or circle of friends.
I aim to provide a safe space in which you both feel heard and understood and in which you can explore your patterns and habits as a couple. In exploring how both of you think and feel about your experience of your relationship more understanding can emerge of your different behaviours and responses to each other.
You may want talk with me about:
- Communication
- Parenting
- Marriage
- Separation or divorce
- Sex
- Intimacy
- Conflict
- Life transitions or changes
- Wanting to re-connect but not knowing how
- Sexuality or identity
Affordable
Designed to be accessible
Online Video or In-Person
Brisbane CBD consultation room
Flexible sessions
We work to your availability
The Process
Step 1 – FREE initial phone consult
The first step is a free 15 minute phone consult. This is a relaxed introduction call, and a chance for you to ask any questions you might have, and how my services may be suitable for you.
Step 2 – Start your journey & on-going sessions
This is when we start the journey together as we seek to explore any of the challenges identified.
Every situation is unique and I look to provide the right cadence to work at a pace that suits your needs.
FAQ’s
You may feel that things are difficult in your life, yet feel unsure that therapy is the next step to take. In your initial consultation you will be able to think about this and your options and make an informed decision with an experienced therapist.
Initial contact is via phone or email. During our first phone call you might tell me a bit about why you want to come to see me and we can discuss any queries you may have, following this if you decide to we will then arrange an initial consultation.
The initial consultation is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and see if we are a good fit. In your first meeting you will talk with me about your concerns as well as relevant details about your background. You will have time to ask questions and ensure you understand the process and feel comfortable in continuing.
In future sessions we will focus on the initial concerns you brought. We will think together about your issues to understand if there any contributing factors. I will listen carefully and offer my insight and thoughts with you and together we will continue thinking about your issues. We will also talk about what is currently on your mind such as any new issues, problems or concerns you have.
We can agree a time-limited framework if this is suitable for you. Please advise if this is your preference at the initial consultation. Usually four initial appointments are sufficient to get a clearer picture to then think about this together.
Initially you may come for therapy with a particular situation or concern in mind, whilst focusing on this you may find other things come up. Due to this you can flexibly discuss how things are going for you, in terms of duration, throughout treatment.
I mainly provide open-ended therapy, this means there is no time constraint to work within, it provides you with the flexibility to develop yourself without the limitations of a time constraint. In open ended therapy the decision on how long to continue is based on your own circumstances and needs alongside the continuing benefits you receive from attending.
I understand it can feel difficult to talk about emotive and personal areas of your life and I take confidentiality very seriously. What you discuss is confidential and would not be shared with any third party without your express permission.
The exception to this would be due to legal requirements, such as if you are clearly at risk of harm to yourself or to others. In this instance there is a legal requirement to act and inform relevant organisations. I would discuss my concerns with you in the first instance.
Exploring yourself in therapy is a subtle and complex process that can be most beneficial when undertaken on a regular basis such as once weekly sessions. There is flexibility in frequency which can be agreed upon together at the initial stage and at any point during the therapeutic process.
I have worked with clients across a wide demographic and cultural context as a therapist. This has given me an understanding and appreciation of aspects of difference. I value and am respectful of an individuals personal beliefs, sense of identity and sexuality.
Yes I can provide individual therapy by telephone or via online dependent upon the issues that are being treated. Overseas or interstate online counselling can be just as effective as meeting in person. If possible it is preferable to meet in person for initial appointments. I use a secure telehealth application for online appointments which is a simple and easy to use app that operates through most web browsers.
For couple counselling my preference is to meet in person.
My fees are not eligible for a medicare rebate as I am not a provider of Focused Psychological Strategies. Counsellors and Psychotherapists do not have a medicare provider number and are unable to offer services through medicare. In order to access a rebate for individual counselling you need to initially see your GP and be provided with a mental health treatment plan and see a Psychologist or Social Worker.
At present couple counselling is not eligible for a medicare rebate.
As I do not offer a rebate this ensures your therapy remains confidential as it does not form a part of your medical record.
Sliding scale of fees offered for on-going sessions following initial consultation, including set reduced fee rates, dependent upon individual circumstances.
The appointment will start as soon as you are available and will be shortened to end within the usual time frame to ensure other appointments are not affected.
Thank you, and I look forward
to connecting with you
Mark Tonkinson