Psychologist in Beaumaris & Bayside | Counselling & Therapy

You've been carrying this a while.

Or maybe something happened recently and the ground has shifted under you. Either way, it might be anxiety that sits under everything, a low mood that has flattened things you used to enjoy, strain in a relationship, stress at work, or a sense that you're just going through the motions. Sometimes it's heavier than that: grief that has rearranged everything, trauma that keeps resurfacing, thoughts of suicide that are hard to say out loud. It's the kind of thing counselling can help with, and you don't need to have it figured out before you come in. That's what the first conversation is for.

Anxiety and stress worry, overwhelm, panic, OCD, burnout

Depression and low mood flatness, lost motivation, feeling stuck

Trauma when the past keeps intruding on the present

Relationships and life transitions separation, family strain, identity, direction

Men's mental health for the things blokes tend to sit on rather than say

I also work with grief and loss, self-esteem, work and career stress, and parenting. That includes the heavier end of things: suicidal thoughts, self-harm, long-standing patterns such as borderline personality. Teens 13+ have a page of their own.

Who you'll be talking to

Evolve is my practice, here in Beaumaris for the better part of a decade.

I'm Craig Parker, a registered psychologist with fifteen years' experience across adult mental health, suicide intervention, and work with teenagers and young adults. Whatever brings you here, my aim is the same: to really understand what you're going through, and to help you move toward something that feels better.

I work collaboratively, at your pace, in a space where you can be open and speak freely. People arrive with all sorts of things, some they've carried for years, some that have only just surfaced, and it's okay if you can't quite put it into words yet. Everyone's situation is different, so I adapt the therapy to fit you rather than the other way around.

Some of what people bring is heavy: thoughts of suicide, trauma, patterns that have been there most of a life. I've spent much of my career in exactly that work, and it has a place here too. And as one of the few male psychologists in this part of Bayside, I see a lot of men who've put off this conversation for a long time.

My work draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, Ericksonian Brief Therapy and mindfulness. Registered with AHPRA and a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi).

— Craig

How it works

Book or email

Book online in under a minute, or send an email and I'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Your first session

Fifty minutes to talk through what's going on and what brings you to therapy. It's a conversation, at your pace, and a chance to see whether we're the right fit.

The ongoing work

We work through things together, at your pace, focusing on what will actually make a difference for you.

Fees & Medicare

What will it cost?

Session fee

$220

50 minutes

→

Medicare rebate

$101.55

with a GP plan

→

You pay

≈$118

per session

No referral is needed to book privately; the Mental Health Care Plan from your GP is only for claiming the rebate.

Sessions can also be funded through TAC, WorkCover and NDIS:

TAC WorkCover NDIS Private health

Beaumaris, Thursdays and Fridays.

17 South Concourse, Beaumaris VIC 3193, in Bayside Melbourne, with online sessions available. Easy parking. My counselling room in Beaumaris is up a flight of stairs; if stairs are a barrier, online sessions are available.

Clients visit from across the bay: Black Rock, Sandringham, Hampton, Brighton, Cheltenham, Mentone, Parkdale, Mordialloc and surrounds.

The counselling room at Evolve Psychology, Beaumaris — The room where we'll meet, upstairs at 17 South Concourse.

Common questions

I've never seen a psychologist. What happens?

The first session is a conversation. We talk through what's brought you in, at your pace, and work out whether it's a good fit.

What will I actually pay per session?

About $118 with a Mental Health Care Plan: the $220 fee minus the $101.55 Medicare rebate. Without a plan, the full $220.

Do I need a referral?

No. You can book privately any time. A GP Mental Health Care Plan just lets you claim the Medicare rebate.

What's the difference between counselling, therapy and seeing a psychologist?

Counselling and therapy are largely interchangeable terms, and both can be provided by a psychologist, a counsellor or a therapist. The practical difference is in who provides it: psychologists are AHPRA-registered, and sessions with a psychologist attract a Medicare rebate with a GP Mental Health Care Plan. If you've been searching for counselling or therapy, you're in the right place.

How soon can I get in?

Usually within one to two weeks, sometimes sooner. Appointments run Thursdays and Fridays; the online booking page shows the next available times in real time.

Can I use private health insurance?

Some extras policies cover counselling with a psychologist. Check your cover with your insurer. Note that for any one session you can claim either the Medicare rebate or private health, not both.

Is the room wheelchair accessible?

Unfortunately not. The counselling room is up a flight of stairs and there is no lift. If stairs are a barrier for you, online sessions are available; mention it when you get in touch and we'll work out what suits.

Book online, or get in touch.

I'm usually in session during the day, so I'll return your message at my earliest opportunity, typically within one business day. If you'd prefer to talk things through by phone first, send your contact details and a good time to call, and I'll arrange a brief conversation.

And if you're not sure whether this is the right fit, the first session is how we find out. There's no obligation past that.

Book appointment Email Craig SMS 0490 247 960