Phena Buhrich

Phena (she/her) is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and member of the Australian Association of Social Workers with 25 years’ experience. For the past 10 years, Phena has specialised in supporting people from sexuality and gender diverse communities, at ACON. She values working within a community- based organisation, that is committed to evidence-based practise and social justice.

Phena has experience supporting clients around concerns such as;

minority stress, transgender health, sexuality, aging, work stress, social isolation, living with HIV, management chronic health conditions, relationships, grief and loss, adjustment disorders, Depression, Anxiety and Post-traumatic stress.Phena works from a Trauma Informed framework and has a flexible and holistic counselling style. She is aware of the significant impact that stigma and isolation have on health and wellbeing. She aims to build a trusting relationship, assisting clients to connect with what is meaningful in their lives and empowering them to make informed choices.

Phena utilises a blend of approaches including:

• Interpersonal Psychotherapy
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
• Narrative Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Phena offers clinical supervision as a specialist adjunct to your current supervision arrangements or can work with you as a primary supervisor.

Scott Houston  

Scott (he/him) works across a variety of presentations including anxiety, depression, relationships and LGBTQI+ matters. He is particularly interested in sex, identity, sexuality, and psychosexual issues.

• • • • • • • His talking therapy approach offers empathy, understanding, and is non-judgemental
            • He will sensitively explore your thoughts, feelings, relationships, family history and past traumas or deficits, to make sense of these issues
            • So that you feel relief from your distress, and you can once again have greater control of your own life
            • He will explore how the past might be impacting the present and how current issues in your private or working life may be causing you difficulties or distress
            • He works relationally, placing you – the client – at the heart of the process, and it is this dual relationship that can work as a transformative force for change, growth, and healing

Medicare does not currently fund Psychotherapists/Counsellors. As such, Scott does not qualify for the Medicare rebate. He is able to see individuals who can pay full fees or individuals who are seeking counselling services through Pride EAP (that is, they are an employee of a Pride EAP member organisation).

Ellis Hartland 

Ellis Hartland (he/him, they/them) is a psychologist who holds professional registration with AHPRA. Ellis has extensive clinical experience, working with young people and adults around a broad range of clinical presentations. These include gender diversity, sexuality, self-identity, depression, anxiety, complex developmental trauma, neurodiversity including ADHD and ASD, OCD, hoarding, anger management, stress management, substance use, grief and loss, sexuality, chronic pain and health anxiety. Ellis works with clients using a trauma-informed, attachment-focussed framework with a non-directive and client-centred approach, utilising creative/play therapy, neurodevelopmental, CBT, TF-CBT, and DBT methods.

Ellis is a Board Approved Supervisor, who can offer clinical supervision as a specialist adjunct to your current supervision arrangements or can work with you as a primary supervisor.

Panda Cheong

Panda Cheong (they/them) is a psychologist with active registration with AHPRA. Panda practices with an integrated framework, meaning they do not subscribe to one way of practicing or one way of conceptualising the complexity that is being human. Panda values authenticity, playfulness, questioning systems and structures, community care, lived knowledges and self/community determination. Panda’s interests within Psychology continue to change and grow. They are currently focusing on body-based practices, nature as therapy, decolonising psychology and how to shift healing outside of individualistic structures.

On a personal level Panda is creative, inquisitive, playful and easy-going. These qualities are also present in their professional self, as therapists are also humans.

Some approaches that Panda draws on are:

• narrative therapy
• dialectical behavioural therapy
• body based practices
• archetypal psychology

Some areas Panda has training in and open to supporting you with:

• acceptance and commitment therapy
• cognitive behavioural therapy
• play therapy
• solution focused brief therapy
• motivational interviewing

How can I get started?

If your Employer is a member of Pride EAP, complete the required details in the Enquiry Form to request an appointment. Feel free to write any other information you want to share with the counsellor ahead of your appointment.

ACON’s Intake Officer will call you to discuss your needs and to make an appointment.

Alternatively, you can also book an appointment by calling ACON’s intake officer on 02 9206 2000.

How much does it cost?

All fees are covered via your employer; you will have no out-of-pocket expenses. 

How many sessions can I have with my counsellor?

The number of sessions will be dependent on the agreement your employer has with ACON. This will be clarified with you prior to commencing counselling.   

Can I access Pride Counselling during the COVID-19 pandemic?

ACON has put in place procedures to protect the health and safety of all our clients, communities and staff. Pride Counselling Programs will continue to operate either face-to-face or via telehealth, depending on current NSW Health Guidelines and Public Health Orders. 

When are appointments available?

Daytime and evening appointments on Mondays-Fridays are available. When completing the appointment form provide preferred days and times and we will do our best to meet them.  Note that evening appointments are more limited.

Can I access the service via telehealth or face-to-face?

Pride Counselling EAP can be accessed face-to-face or via telehealth (video-conferencing or phone).  
For face-to-face appointments we are located: 

• In Sydney: 414 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills 2010 (near Central Station) 
• In Newcastle: 129 Maitland Road Islington (near Hamilton train station) 

Face-to-face individual counselling sessions may be limited or unavailable at times, depending on current COVID restrictions. 

Are there any cancellation charges if I am unable to attend an appointment?

We need two full business/working days’ notice of cancellation prior to your session, otherwise we will charge your employer 50% of the total amount. 

100% of the fee will be charged to your employer if you do not notify us about your cancellation. 

Please note that appointments cancelled with less than two full business/working days’ notice will be included in your overall session allocation.   

Can I make a booking on behalf of my partner or family?

Some EAP programs are available to partners and family members.  Please check with your employer’s EAP policy to check if this provision is available.  

Can I speak with my counsellor prior to the sessions to make sure they are a good fit for me?

Yes, if you would like to speak to a counsellor your session, please let our Intake Officer know.  

Do I get the same counsellor every session?

Yes, you will see the same counsellor every session. This is important for consistency and so you don’t have to re-tell your story. 

Can I choose my counsellor?

We will try to accommodate preferences wherever possible as we understand the importance of a good fit and feeling comfortable with your counsellor. However, this is dependent on availability and may mean having to wait longer for a service. 

How is my privacy and confidentiality maintained?

Although the EAP service is funded by your employer, we will not share any information about your care with your employer.  Only anonymised data pertaining to session attendance will be provided.  

ACON recognises that the sensitive information, which has been disclosed to us, needs special care and protection. We are required by law, as detailed in the Information Privacy Act 2000 (“The Act”), to comply with a strict code of conduct to maintain the privacy of all personal information on record. ACON’s Privacy Policy complies with the privacy principles set out in the Act and explains how we apply them in practice. 

You can read more about ACON’s Privacy Policy at https://www.acon.org.au/acon-privacy-policy-disclaimer/ 

We take all due care to make sure that breaches of privacy will not occur but if you do have a concern it is very important that you let us know. If you wish to make a complaint, or to provide feedback of any other nature, please contact us (preferably via e-mail) with the details of the issue. We will promptly investigate any reasonable complaint and respond to you in writing setting out the outcome of our investigation and any proposed remedies. 

ACON collects personal information on a need-to-know basis and documents client interactions as required by legislation and to ensure we deliver a high-quality professional service. 

Personal information will be used for statistics, record audits, and research and data collection. No identifying information about you will be used. 

You can request copies of your client file by completing the Personal Information Enquiry form.

Only people involved in your care have access to your information and they are subject to confidentiality and privacy policy as per legal requirements as a health service provider. 

We will not provide personal information to government agencies, other organisations or any other party unless a legitimate exception applies. 

Legal limitations to confidentiality may potentially require an ACON staff member to disclose your information to a third party without your consent where: 

1. the staff member is concerned that you may harm yourself or others; 

1. a child or young person is at risk; 

1. a Court of Law instructs ACON to disclose your information. 

If the above occurs we will endeavour to inform you where possible. 

Can I continue accessing Pride Counselling once my EAP session allocation has ended?

Yes. Once your EAP services is completed, you can access Pride Counselling and pay private fees according to our sliding scale of $120 – $180 per session. You may also be able access a Medicare rebate.  Please see our FAQs about Medicare and rebates here: How do i get the medicare rebate? 

What gender affirmation support can I get?

All Pride Counsellors are trans allies and some are trans themselves. We can help you explore your gender and make sense of being trans. 

As registered psychologists and accredited mental health social workers we provide readiness referral assessments for people seeking surgical affirmation. A referral from a mental health provider is typically not required to start gender affirming hormones, if your GP or Endocrinologist requires a referral though, we can assist.