Welcome to Kirwan Psychology
Create your path to growth and healing
Working through …
Hillarys Therapy Hub
26 Banks Avenue, Hillarys
Kathy Kirwan
Counselling and Clinical Psychologist
Kathy began her career in psychology in 1996, working in the field of sexuality and sexual health. Over the years, her focus has expanded to cover a broad range of issues, and since 2010 she has been practicing privately.
While much of her early work was with adolescents, Kathy now supports individuals aged 16 and over. Central to her approach is creating a safe, supportive environment and building a strong therapeutic relationship—both of which research consistently shows are key to effective individual and couple counselling.
Kathy draws on a range of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Interpersonal Therapy, and Schema Therapy. In her work with couples, she incorporates Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT-C) and the Gottman Method.
Qualifications
Kathy holds the following qualifications:
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) at Edith Cowan University
Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology (Counselling)
Master of Psychology (Counselling) at Curtin University.
Kathy is also a Psychology Board of Australia approved supervisor and provides clinical supervision to psychologists and counselling psychology registrars.
Interpersonal and relational conflict and difficulties
Situational crises, life decisions, and existential concerns
Couple Therapy
Grief and loss
Anxiety
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Depression and low mood
Self-esteem and resilience
Stress and burnout
Trauma, PTSD, and complex PTSD
Presenting concerns:
“I prefer to think of my patients and myself
as fellow travellers,
a term that abolishes distinctions
between ‘them’ (the afflicted)
and ‘us’ (the healers).”
Psychotherapist Irving Yalom in
The Gift of Therapy (2008)
What is counselling?
A psychologist brings expertise in supporting people through many different challenges, but you are the true expert on yourself – your life, personality, and experiences. You’ve already drawn on many strengths to get through difficult times. Counselling isn’t about being told what to do, but about choosing someone to walk alongside you. That support can ease the load and bring greater clarity and meaning to your life.
Counselling is about working together, person to person. Your psychologist listens, seeks to understand, and supports you in finding clarity, acceptance, and growth.
It also gives you time to reflect in the safety of a compassionate, focused space. It provides caring, evidence-based therapy tailored to your needs, helping you discover pathways toward healing and resilience.
Together, we can explore the concerns you’re facing right now or patterns that keep repeating, and develop strategies for positive change – if that’s the direction you’d like to take.
Consultation Fees
The appointment fee for a 51 minute consultation at Kirwan Psychology is $255.00 for individuals and $285.00 for couples.
The fee currently recommended by the Australian Psychological Society is $311.00 for a 45 - 60min consultation.
Referrals and rebates
Individual therapy:
You can see a psychologist without a referral (privately).
If you would like to claim the Medicare rebate then you need to be referred by your General Practitioner under Medicare’s Better Access scheme (otherwise known as a Mental Health Care Plan). If you provide this at the initial session, you can claim $141.85 rebate and able to attend up to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year.
Consultation fees can also be claimed through some private health care funds ‘extras’ cover. Your provider can advise you of whether you are eligible for a rebate for clinical psychology services and the rebate amount.
Couple Therapy Rebates:
Medicare doesn’t cover couple sessions, but some private health funds may—check your policy.
Contact Us
If you are a new client and would like to make a therapy booking or ask a question about services, please contact us by providing your details on the form.
If you are an existing client who would like access to the booking portal please send a mesage via the form.
We will get back to you as soon as we can.
Kirwan Psychology operates
11am to 5.30pm
Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Address:
Hillarys Therapy Hub
26 Banks Avenue, Hillarys
Email: admin@kirwanpsychology.au
Emergencies
If your situation is an emergency, please call 000 or visit your nearest hospital. Helplines can provide you with immediate access to support and advice that is confidential, free and anonymous.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (5-25 year olds) 1800 654 432 (parents)
CAMHS Crisis Connect 1800 048 636 (24/7 - Urgent mental health support, advice and assessment for children and young people)
Mental Health Emergency Response Line (Metro) 1300 555 788
Headspace (Youth) 1800 650 890
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
Suicide call back service 1300 659 467
The Samaritans Crisis Line 9381 5555 (main line) 9388 2500 (youth line)
Men’s line Australia 1300 789 306
PANDA (perinatal anxiety and depression) 1300 726 306
QLife (LGBTI+ 3pm – 12am) 1800 184 527
Quitline 13 78 48
Child Protection and Family Support Crisis Care Helpline 9223 1111
