How do I know if a counsellor is the right fit?

Notice whether you feel listened to, whether you can say things in your own words, and whether the pace suits you. One session is usually enough to get a sense of this. If it does not feel right, it is reasonable to try someone else.

Do counsellors have to be qualified in Australia?

Not by law. Better Health Channel notes that Australian law does not require counsellors to hold a qualification, and that people without training can call themselves counsellors. That is why it is worth checking the degree, where it was earned and any professional body membership.

Is it okay to change counsellor after one session?

Yes. On InnerHub you book one session at a time, with no subscription or package, so choosing a different practitioner costs nothing extra beyond the sessions you book.

What questions should I ask a counsellor first?

healthdirect suggests asking what to expect from appointments, what experience they have, how many sessions to expect and what the goal of your time together is.

How to find a counsellor who is the right fit

16 October 2026 · 6 min read

You have decided to talk to someone. Now there is a list of names, a few paragraphs about each, and a quiet worry that you will pick the wrong one and lose weeks. That worry is common, and it is more manageable than it feels.

Short answer

The right counsellor is someone with training you can check, who explains how they work, and with whom you feel listened to by the end of the first session. If that is not there, trying someone else is normal. On InnerHub you book one 50-minute online session at a time for $59.90 AUD, with no referral, so switching costs nothing extra.

Talk to someone this week

Get matched with your therapist and book a session in minutes. $59.90 flat, no referral, no subscription.

Find a therapist

What should you check before you book?

Check the training first, because counselling is not tightly regulated in Australia. The Victorian Government's Better Health Channel says Australian law does not require counsellors to hold qualifications, and that a trained counsellor has usually studied counselling at university for three or more years. It names two peak bodies that set national standards, the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

On a profile, look for:

A named qualification, with where it was earned and in which country.
Years of practice, stated as a number rather than an adjective.
Their areas, in words close to your own. If what is weighing on you appears there, that is a good sign.
Practicalities, such as language and whether they have times that fit your week.

InnerHub practitioners are experienced and qualified in their own countries. They are not AHPRA-registered, which is why sessions sit outside Medicare. Each public profile shows the degree, the country and the years of practice, so you can judge for yourself before you book. Our guide to choosing a therapist goes deeper on reading a profile quickly.

What questions can you ask?

You can ask the same simple questions of anyone. healthdirect suggests:

What can I expect from our appointments?
What sort of experience do you have?
How many sessions do you expect we will have?
What is the goal of our time together?

A good answer is plain and specific. A less helpful one promises a result or a timeframe. Counselling is a place to talk things through and understand them better, and nobody can honestly guarantee how you will feel by a certain date.

How will you know in the first session?

You usually get a sense within the first session, and a few things are worth noticing. Finding someone you feel comfortable with can take more than one try, so it helps to know what you are looking for.

Ask yourself afterwards:

Did I feel listened to, or hurried?
Could I say things in my own words?
Did they explain how they work and what happens next?
Did the pace feel like mine?

You do not need to feel fully at ease in 50 minutes. Talking to a stranger about private things is awkward at first. The question is whether, by the end, you could see yourself coming back.

Is it okay to change counsellor?

Yes, and nobody needs an explanation. Many people assume switching is rude or a sign they did it wrong. It is neither. Fit is a practical matter, like whether a time suits you.

On InnerHub you book one session at a time. There is no subscription and no package, so a different practitioner means booking a different profile, not cancelling a contract. Our pricing page sets out the whole price: $59.90 AUD per 50-minute session.

What if it feels like a fit, but you want something more specific?

Fit and focus are different things. A practitioner can feel right and still be the wrong match for what you are carrying. Our practitioners work within their training and refer honestly: if what you are dealing with needs a GP or specialist care, they will say so.

If you have a particular topic in mind, our counselling topics show how sessions for each one usually run. Or answer a few questions and we will match you with a therapist, then you can read the full profile before you book.

Not sure where to start?

Take the two-minute quiz to see what kind of support fits, or read how matching works.

Take the quiz

When to get help sooner

InnerHub is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, call 000. For support at any hour, Lifeline is on 13 11 14.

This article is general information for adults 18 and over. It is not clinical or medical advice, and not a substitute for professional care.

General information, not clinical or medical advice. For adults 18 and over. InnerHub is not a crisis service: in an emergency call 000, or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Finding a counsellor who suits you, without the guesswork.