Frequently Asked Questions
NDIS counselling questions, answered
The Brave Mind Project provides NDIS Therapeutic Supports — Counselling to participants anywhere in Australia, delivered by phone or secure video. Below are the questions participants, nominees, support coordinators and plan managers ask most often, including what the service covers, what a session costs and how funding is arranged.
Key facts at a glance
- Service
- NDIS Therapeutic Supports — Counselling
- Delivery
- Telehealth by phone or secure video
- Availability
- Australia-wide
- Session length
- 60 minutes
- Standard rate
- $156.16 per session
- Funding
- Self-managed and plan-managed plans
- Practitioner
- Dr Philip Armstrong — PACFA and VMHPAA affiliations
- Referrals
- Participants, nominees, support coordinators, plan managers
What does The Brave Mind Project actually provide?
Our NDIS service is deliberately focused: we provide counselling as an NDIS Therapeutic Support. At this stage we do not provide personal care, support coordination, behaviour support, in-home assistance or any other disability support category. Counselling is delivered remotely — by phone or secure video — so participants can be supported wherever they live in Australia. Sessions are shaped around the participant's goals, needs and preferences, and counselling is not a substitute for medical, psychiatric or psychological care where those services are required.
Who can access NDIS counselling?
Counselling support can be funded where it connects to a participant's disability-related needs and the goals in their NDIS plan. We work with self-managed participants, who are invoiced in line with the agreed service arrangement, and plan-managed participants, whose invoices are directed to their plan manager using the agreed billing details.
A family member, nominee or trusted support person can make the first enquiry on a participant's behalf, and the participant stays central to every decision about their counselling and consent. NDIS funding for counselling depends on the individual plan, its goals and the NDIS funding criteria, so an enquiry does not guarantee that a support can be claimed from a plan.
How much does an NDIS counselling session cost?
The standard rate is $156.16 per 60-minute session, matching the current national maximum price for Therapy — Counsellor — Telehealth under the NDIS Pricing Schedule effective 24 September 2026. Price limits for remote and very remote locations are higher where the applicable geographic classification permits.
The rate, session length and cancellation arrangements that apply to a participant are confirmed in their service agreement before support begins, so there are no surprises when an invoice is issued.
How do telehealth sessions work?
Sessions are delivered by phone or secure video. There are no in-person or in-home appointments. Before counselling starts we confirm that telehealth suits the participant and that they can take part from a private, reliable space. The format for each session is arranged in advance, and the therapeutic focus is reviewed with the participant over time.
What happens after I send an enquiry?
An enquiry starts a clear four-step process. First, you send an enquiry or referral with your role and the best way to contact you. Second, we confirm whether the service fits the request and clarify the funding pathway. Third, the participant receives a service agreement covering fees, privacy, consent and cancellation. Fourth, counselling begins by phone or video, shaped around agreed goals.
Initial enquiries usually come from participants themselves, nominees, support coordinators and plan managers.
Who provides the counselling?
Counselling is provided by Dr Philip Armstrong, a counsellor and co-managing director of The Brave Mind Project. His background includes a PhD and Diploma of Counselling, direct client work, practitioner education and senior leadership within the counselling profession, with PACFA and VMHPAA professional affiliations, current NDIS Worker Screening and a current Working with Children clearance.
His role with participants is counselling — not psychology, psychiatry, medical treatment, behaviour support or support coordination.
What should I leave out of the enquiry form?
Please keep detailed health or clinical information out of the website form, along with NDIS numbers and urgent safety concerns. A brief, non-sensitive description of the support being requested is enough to begin: your name and role, the participant or nominee contact details, whether the plan is self-managed or plan-managed, and the preferred phone or video format if that is already known.
Is this an emergency or crisis service?
No. The Brave Mind Project does not provide emergency or crisis support through this website or through the counselling service. If there is immediate danger, call Triple Zero on 000.
Still have a question?
You do not need a full history or clinical detail to get started. Send a short enquiry and we will clarify the service and the billing pathway before any appointment is arranged.