Our Fees
Honest Pricing, No Surprises
Safe Refuge is a private counselling practice. Our fees are set so that quality, unhurried therapy is genuinely accessible to women in Mount Barker and the Adelaide Hills.
50 minutes
Standard Session
$140
Our headline rate. Paid at the end of each session.
6 × 50 minutes
6-Session Block
$780
$130 per session. Valid for 10 weeks. A gentle commitment that brings your effective cost down.
10 × 50 minutes
10-Session Block
$1,250
$125 per session. For longer trauma and attachment work.
50 minutes
Concession
$110
For healthcare card holders, pensioners, and women in verified financial hardship. A limited number of concession places are reserved at all times.
The Honest Math
How $140 Compares
We want you to make an informed decision, so here is the comparison we would want if we were in your position.
A general psychologist on Medicare
Typically $240 per session. After the $98.95 Medicare rebate (with a Mental Health Care Plan), the out-of-pocket cost is around $141. You are limited to 10 sessions per year and must have a mental health diagnosis recorded on your medical record.
A clinical psychologist on Medicare
Typically $285 per session. After the $145.25 clinical rebate, the out-of-pocket cost is around $140. Same 10-session cap; same diagnostic requirement.
A 50-minute session at Safe Refuge
$140. Matching the effective cost of a psychologist, with no session cap, no diagnosis on record, no GP referral required, and usually an appointment available within the week. Prepaid blocks bring the effective rate as low as $125 per session.
Safe Refuge does not currently hold private health insurance provider numbers. Applications are in progress with several major funds — once approved, eligible clients will be able to claim rebates on top of the above rates. We will update this page as soon as that changes.
What You Get
A Session at Safe Refuge
- A 50-minute one-on-one session with Aana Carpenter
- A quiet, private counselling space in Mount Barker
- Flexible scheduling, including appointments during school hours
- Email support between sessions when needed
- A written progress letter to your GP if you want one (with your consent)
- No pressure to book a fixed number of sessions
- No mental health diagnosis recorded on your medical file
- No GP referral or Mental Health Care Plan required
Access
Concession & Hardship
Safe Refuge reserves a small number of concession places ($110) for women who hold a healthcare card or pension, and occasional pro bono places for women in genuine crisis — typically referred through St Vincent de Paul, parish clergy, or local crisis services. If cost is the thing standing between you and reaching out, please ask. We would rather have the conversation than assume the answer.
Next Step
Book a Discovery Call
A short, free conversation to explore what is troubling you and whether Safe Refuge is the right fit. No pressure to book anything further.