Navigating Life’s Challenges Together
Psychology and Counselling Services
Online and Telehealth Support
Attune Connect provides online compassionate, collaborative, confidential psychology and counselling support to adults, couples, and adolescents (16+ years). Your psychologist will work with you to develop a therapeutic plan tailored to your needs.
Commonly presenting concerns:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Relationship difficulties in personal and workplace contexts
• Post separation adjustment
• Post separation parenting*
• Parenting issues
• Estrangement
• Trauma-related difficulties
• Finding it hard to come to terms with things that happened in the past
• Grief and loss
• Low self-esteem/confidence
• Environment and climate change stress and anxiety
*Note: Attune Connect does not provide family court assessments or court reports.
Couples Counselling
The Gottman method couples therapy has three phases: assessment, treatment, and relapse prevention. During the assessment phase you will be asked to complete an online questionnaire – the Gottman Relationship Check-up – which provides comprehensive information about your relationship strengths and weaknesses. You will meet your therapist online as a couple, then individually – and then for a feedback session within about a week. If the assessment indicates treatment is suitable then sessions are conducted initially weekly for 2 hours and spaced out further apart as progress is made.
Conflict and Mediation Services
Workplace mediation
Attune Connect provides workplace mediation to enhance collaboration and mitigate conflict-related costs. Nationally accredited mediators are trained in assessing the suitability for mediation and helping participants to manage their workplace disputes amicably, fostering a harmonious environment. By facilitating open communication and understanding, participants are supported to navigate conflicts constructively. Mediation not only preserves valuable time and resources but also cultivates a positive organisational culture. Experience the benefits of proactive conflict resolution, leading to increased productivity, employee satisfaction, and long-term cost savings.
Mediation is a voluntary process which involves the following steps:
1. A briefing session with HR or supervisor/manager
2. Individual intake appointments with each participant
3. Assessment of suitability for the joint mediation session
4. A joint mediation session, if assessed as suitable to proceed
Child Consultancy Services
A ‘child consultant’ in family dispute resolution refers to a professional who assesses and represents the needs and perspectives of children involved in family disputes, particularly during divorce or parental separation.
If assessed as appropriate, a child consultant consults with each parent and then separately with the child/ren to explore the impact of separation on the child/ren within the context of their emotional, developmental, and psychological needs.
Feedback is provided to parents as part of the Family Dispute Resolution process about how their child/ren are coping with the separation. Parents are supported to assist their child/ren to manage any problems the child/ren may be experiencing. The information may help parents make decisions in the best interest of their children during the Family Dispute Resolution process.
Psychology and Counselling Services
Online and Telehealth Support
Attune Connect provides online compassionate, collaborative, confidential psychology and counselling support to adults, couples, and adolescents (16+ years). Your psychologist will work with you to develop a therapeutic plan tailored to your needs.
Commonly presenting concerns:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Relationship difficulties in personal and workplace contexts
• Post separation adjustment
• Post separation parenting*
• Parenting issues
• Estrangement
• Trauma-related difficulties
• Finding it hard to come to terms with things that happened in the past
• Grief and loss
• Low self-esteem/confidence
• Environment and climate change stress and anxiety
*Note: Attune Connect does not provide family court assessments or court reports.
Couples Counselling
The Gottman method couples therapy has three phases: assessment, treatment, and relapse prevention. During the assessment phase you will be asked to complete an online questionnaire – the Gottman Relationship Check-up – which provides comprehensive information about your relationship strengths and weaknesses. You will meet your therapist online as a couple, then individually – and then for a feedback session within about a week. If the assessment indicates treatment is suitable then sessions are conducted initially weekly for 2 hours and spaced out further apart as progress is made.
Conflict and Mediation Services
Workplace mediation
Attune Connect provides workplace mediation to enhance collaboration and mitigate conflict-related costs. Nationally accredited mediators are trained in assessing the suitability for mediation and helping participants to manage their workplace disputes amicably, fostering a harmonious environment. By facilitating open communication and understanding, participants are supported to navigate conflicts constructively. Mediation not only preserves valuable time and resources but also cultivates a positive organisational culture. Experience the benefits of proactive conflict resolution, leading to increased productivity, employee satisfaction, and long-term cost savings.
Mediation is a voluntary process which involves the following steps:
1. A briefing session with HR or supervisor/manager
2. Individual intake appointments with each participant
3. Assessment of suitability for the joint mediation session
4. A joint mediation session, if assessed as suitable to proceed
Child Consultancy Services
A ‘child consultant’ in family dispute resolution refers to a professional who assesses and represents the needs and perspectives of children involved in family disputes, particularly during divorce or parental separation.
If assessed as appropriate, a child consultant consults with each parent and then separately with the child/ren to explore the impact of separation on the child/ren within the context of their emotional, developmental, and psychological needs.
Feedback is provided to parents as part of the Family Dispute Resolution process about how their child/ren are coping with the separation. Parents are supported to assist their child/ren to manage any problems the child/ren may be experiencing. The information may help parents make decisions in the best interest of their children during the Family Dispute Resolution process.
Meet Psychologist Kira Schlusser
Registered psychologist and Nationally Accredited Mediator
Kira is a registered psychologist and an AMDRAS accredited mediator who works with adults, adolescents, couples, businesses, and organisations in a compassionate, collaborative, confidential process. She will work with you to develop a plan tailored to your needs. Kira has trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Family Dispute Resolution and child consultancy. She has completed the Level 3 Practicum Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy.
Kira has mediated over 1000 workplace and family disputes. She has mediated disputes with state government agencies, local government, community agencies, and the private sector.
Kira has previously worked for community services, government agencies, not for profit organisations, and Employee Assistance Program organisations.
Prior to becoming a psychologist and mediator Kira worked as a biochemist before moving into environmental sciences working in coastal, marine and wetland conservation and environmental operations. She understands that scientists working in this field and individuals concerned about Planet Earth can be impacted by the slow pace of climate action and the continued degradation of our natural systems.
Kira is a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi) and the Resolution Institute (RI).
Qualifications and Professional Membership
• Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours (University of Central Queensland)
• Graduate Diploma Family Dispute Resolution (Australian Institute of Social Relations)
• Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS) (Resolution Institute)
• Certificate of Child Inclusive Mediation and Counselling (Children Beyond Dispute)
• Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (University of New South Wales)
• Graduate Diploma in Natural Resource Management (University of New England)
Kira is available on Thursdays and every second Saturday
Our Approach
A broad range of treatment approaches are used, such as:
– Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),
– Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT),
– Gottman Method Couples Therapy,
– Compassion-focused therapy,
– Brief solution-focused therapy,
– Interpersonal therapy
and a strength-based, biopsychosocial relational approach.
Fees and Charges
MENTAL HEALTH CARE PLAN
Sessions with your psychologist may be eligible for a Medicare rebate. See your General Practitioner (GP) regarding your eligibility for a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). If you are referred by a GP under a MHTP you may be eligible for a rebate from Medicare for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.
Couples counselling is not covered by Medicare.
HEALTH FUNDS
Contact your health fund for details of rebates. Please note that it is not possible to obtain both Medicare and private health fund rebates at the same time under the current health fund rules.
fees
Fees are payable on the day of your appointment.
1. Standard 50-55 minute session: $210 per session
2. Standard 80 minute couple session: $315 per session
3. Attune Connect does not currently provide services under: NDIS, WorkCover, or DVA
4. Attune Connect does not offer bulk-billed appointments or discounts for health care card holders.
5. Couples therapy: In the Assessment Phase 4 appointments need to be booked:
a. Initial session together (1 hour)
b. Individual sessions (1 hour each)
c. Feedback and treatment goal setting session (1 hour)
d. Assessment total cost: $840.00
Please note: Sessions that are longer than 1 hour in length are calculated based on the therapist’s hourly rate. Medicare rebates under a Mental Health Treatment Plan are not available for couples’ therapy. If you have Private Health Insurance we recommend checking with your insurer about rebates.
Cancellation Policy
50% of the usual Session Fee applies where notice of cancellations is less than 1 business day i.e. the notice period excludes weekends & public holidays.
Cancellation fees are charged as this time has been set aside for you and usually cannot be filled at short notice. To avoid these fees, if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment please provide as much notice as possible. However, cancellation fees are not charged should a cancelled appointment be filled.
Our Approach
Existence is filled with difficulties and hurdles, presenting numerous obstacles along our journey. At Attune Connect we aim to make you feel emotionally safe and comfortable to facilitate the change and growth you want to see. We do this by blending clinical expertise, leading research information, and your background and preferences. Attune Connect utilises a Feedback Informed Therapy (FIT) approach which keeps track of how you are going so that treatment adjustments can be made session by session to assist you in reaching your preferred outcome.
A broad range of treatment approaches are used, such as:
– Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),
– Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT),
– Gottman Method Couples Therapy,
– Compassion-focused therapy,
– Brief solution-focused therapy,
– Interpersonal therapy
and a strength-based, biopsychosocial relational approach.
Fees and Charges
MENTAL HEALTH CARE PLAN
Sessions with your psychologist may be eligible for a Medicare rebate. See your General Practitioner (GP) regarding your eligibility for a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). If you are referred by a GP under a MHTP you may be eligible for a rebate from Medicare for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.
Couples counselling is not covered by Medicare.
HEALTH FUNDS
Contact your health fund for details of rebates. Please note that it is not possible to obtain both Medicare and private health fund rebates at the same time under the current health fund rules.
fees
Fees are payable on the day of your appointment.
1. Standard 50-55 minute session: $210 per session
2. Standard 80 minute couple session: $315 per session
3. Attune Connect does not currently provide services under: NDIS, WorkCover, or DVA
4. Attune Connect does not offer bulk-billed appointments or discounts for health care card holders.
5. Couples therapy: In the Assessment Phase 4 appointments need to be booked:
a. Initial session together (1 hour)
b. Individual sessions (1 hour each)
c. Feedback and treatment goal setting session (1 hour)
d. Assessment total cost: $840.00
Please note: Sessions that are longer than 1 hour in length are calculated based on the therapist’s hourly rate. Medicare rebates under a Mental Health Treatment Plan are not available for couples’ therapy. If you have Private Health Insurance we recommend checking with your insurer about rebates.
Cancellation Policy
50% of the usual Session Fee applies where notice of cancellations is less than 1 business day i.e. the notice period excludes weekends & public holidays.
Cancellation fees are charged as this time has been set aside for you and usually cannot be filled at short notice. To avoid these fees, if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment please provide as much notice as possible. However, cancellation fees are not charged should a cancelled appointment be filled.
Associations
We are proud to be members of these associations
Resources
Attune Connect is not a crisis support service. If you are experiencing an emergency please call 000.
Alternatively, you can contact the following services:
• Lifeline: 13-11-14
• Suicide Call Back Service (24/7): 1300-659-467
• MHCall (Qld): https://www.qld.gov.au/health/mental-health/help-lines/1300-mh-call
• Kids Helpline: 1800-55-1800 (for young people up to the age of 25)
• 1800Respect (24/7): 1800-737-732
• DVConnect (Qld) (24/7) – Women’s Line: 1800-811-811
• DV Connect (Qld) (24/7) – Mensline: 1300-78-99-78
• Parentline (Qld): 1300-30-1300
• Alcohol & Drug Information Service (ADIS) (24/7): 1800-177-833
Frequently asked Questions
Can I book in person appointments?
Can I contact my psychologist after hours?
We are not available after opening hours.
Attune Connect is not an emergency service and is not available after hours – if you require immediate support, please contact emergency services or after hours counselling services:
• Police, Fire or Ambulance – 000
• Lifeline – 13 11 14
• See the Resources section for more services.
Is it possible to attend my online or phone counselling session while I am driving?
No, for your safety sessions cannot be conducted while driving.
How do I book a 10 minute free consultation
Attuned Connections acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, and community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past and present.
Contact Attune Connect
We look forward to hearing from you
FOR existing CLIENTS
If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment including a free 10 min phone call please click the following appointment button.
FOR NEW CLIENTS
If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment including a free 10 min phone call please fill out the following enquiry form.
FOR EXISTING CLIENTS
FOR NEW CLIENTS
If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment including a free 10 min phone call please fill out the following enquiry form