Frequently Asked Questions
About Tribe Wellness
Tribe Wellness is an Australian-owned online counselling and psychotherapy platform built specifically for LGBTQ+ adults. Founded by Josh Feeney - a PACFA-registered counsellor, psychotherapist, and longstanding member of Australia’s queer community. Tribe Wellness connects LGBTQ+ adults across Australia with affirming, experienced therapists via secure telehealth. No waitlist. No referral required. A free 15-minute intro call is available to all new clients.
All Tribe Wellness practitioners hold recognised Australian qualifications and are registered with accredited professional bodies including PACFA (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia). Sessions are delivered via Zoom from anywhere in Australia.
About Tribe Wellness
Who is Tribe Wellness?
Tribe Wellness is an Australian-owned telehealth counselling and psychotherapy practice built specifically for LGBTQ+ adults. We were founded because finding a therapist who genuinely understands queer life is harder than it should be.
Our founder, Josh Feeney, has spent over a decade embedded in Sydney's queer community: marching in the Mardi Gras parade, facilitating weekly Dance Therapy sessions, and building the My People My Tribe community group. That community presence is the foundation of the clinical work, not a separate thing from it.
We offer individual counselling and psychotherapy to LGBTQ+ adults across Australia, delivered entirely via secure video telehealth.
No waitlist. No GP referral required to get started.
Who are the therapists at Tribe Wellness?
Tribe Wellness practitioners are PACFA-registered counsellors and psychotherapists with genuine lived connection to the LGBTQ+ community. All practitioners hold recognised Australian qualifications and meet the registration and supervision standards required by their professional body.
Our lead practitioner is Josh Feeney — PACFA-registered counsellor and psychotherapist (PACFA Reg. No. #28807). Josh has worked in various industries with LGBTQ+ adults for over fifteen years and brings both clinical expertise and genuine community embeddedness to his practice.
As Tribe Wellness grows, additional practitioners will be listed on our Find a Therapist page. All practitioners joining the platform are vetted for qualifications, lived experience, and genuine commitment to LGBTQ+ affirming practice.
What is LGBTQ+ affirming therapy?
LGBTQ+ affirming therapy is mental health support delivered by a practitioner who actively validates and affirms your sexual orientation and gender identity — rather than treating it as neutral, irrelevant, or something to work through.
In practice, this means your therapist already understands minority stress, internalised shame, coming out, gender dysphoria, and the particular psychological weight of navigating a world not designed for you. You don't spend your sessions providing context or managing your therapist's discomfort.
LGBTQ+ affirming therapy is different from "LGBTQ+ friendly" therapy, which typically just means a therapist is non-discriminatory (the bare minimum). Affirming therapy is active, not passive. It integrates an understanding of queer experience into the therapeutic approach itself — including how anxiety, depression, shame, and burnout are shaped by the specific stressors of LGBTQ+ life.
All Tribe Wellness practitioners work from an affirming framework as a foundation, not an add-on.
What is minority stress and why does it matter?
Minority stress is the chronic, cumulative psychological stress that LGBTQ+ people experience as a result of living in environments that are hostile, dismissive, or simply not built for them. It includes both external stressors - discrimination, violence, exclusion and internalised ones, such as shame, hypervigilance, and the constant work of deciding who is safe to be yourself around.
Research consistently shows that LGBTQ+ Australians experience significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality than the general population. Minority stress is a primary reason why. This is not a personal failing. It is a predictable psychological response to structural and social conditions.
Effective LGBTQ+ affirming therapy treats minority stress as context, not symptom. A therapist who understands this doesn't just address what you're experiencing — they understand why it makes sense that you're experiencing it.
Why choose Tribe Wellness over a general therapy platform?
Most therapy platforms and directory services include a filter for "LGBTQ+ friendly." What that filter cannot tell you is whether a therapist has genuine lived proximity to queer life — whether they understand the specific pressures, the community grief, the complexity of identity, and the particular exhaustion of years of code-switching.
Tribe Wellness was built specifically because that gap exists. A few things that set us apart:
Genuine community embeddedness. Our founder has been part of Sydney's queer community for over a decade — through Mardi Gras, Dance Therapy, and grassroots community organising. That isn't a credential. It's a way of working.
No waitlist. New clients can typically book within the week. Often sooner.
No referral required. You can book directly without visiting your GP first.
A free 15-minute intro call. Before you commit to a full session, you can have a no-cost, no-obligation conversation with your practitioner to see if the fit is right.
Available anywhere in Australia. Fully telehealth — accessible from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, regional areas, and everywhere in between.
Getting Started
Do I need a referral to book?
No. You can book a session or a free 15-minute intro call — directly, without a GP referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan. No one's permission is required to start.
Counselling & Psychotherapy are not currently covered under the Mental Health Care Plan. See the Costs and Rebates section below for more detail.
What is the free 15-minute intro call?
The free intro call is a no-cost, no-commitment conversation with your practitioner before you book a full session. It is a chance to ask questions, get a sense of the therapeutic style, and work out whether Tribe Wellness feels like the right fit, without spending money first.
There is no sales pressure and no obligation to book a full session afterwards. Most people find it removes a significant amount of the anxiety around starting therapy. You can book one directly here.
Can I access therapy from anywhere in Australia?
Yes. Tribe Wellness is entirely telehealth, which means you can access sessions from anywhere in Australia with a stable internet connection - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, regional areas, or anywhere in between.
This is particularly important for LGBTQ+ adults in regional and rural Australia, where affirming practitioners are often unavailable locally. You should not have to move to a capital city to find a therapist who understands your life.
Sessions run via Zoom. All you need is a private space and a camera enabled phone, tablet, or computer.
I am not sure about my identity yet. Can I still come to therapy?
Yes, and you do not need to have anything figured out before your first session.
Questioning, uncertainty, and the process of understanding who you are is itself something therapy can support. You will not be asked to label yourself, commit to an identity before you’re ready.
Tribe Wellness works with people across the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ experience — including those who are questioning, those early in the process of understanding their identity, and those who have been out for decades and are still unpacking what that means for them. You belong here whether or not you have the words yet.
What if I have had bad experiences with therapy before?
This is more common than most people realise and it matters.
Many LGBTQ+ adults have sat across from a therapist who used the wrong language, didn't understand their world, or treated their identity as the problem to be solved. That experience is exhausting, and it makes complete sense that it creates reluctance to try again.
Tribe Wellness was built specifically because of that gap. Our practitioners understand queer life from the inside — not as an area of clinical specialism, but as a lived reality. You will not spend your sessions on orientation.
If you are unsure, start with the free 15-minute intro call. It costs nothing and commits you to nothing. It is just a conversation.
What if we are not a good fit?
The therapeutic relationship is one of the most important, factors in determining positive therapy outcomes. If the fit does not feel right, that is worth naming — and it does not mean therapy is not for you.
The free 15-minute intro call exists precisely for this reason so you can get a sense of your practitioner's style before spending money on a full session.
If after one or two sessions it is not clicking, reach out. We will do our best to support you in finding someone better suited, whether that is another practitioner within Tribe Wellness or a referral elsewhere. Getting you the right support matters more than keeping you on our books.
How do I know if I need therapy?
You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Some signs that speaking to someone might help:
You are managing, but only just — and you are tired of how much energy it takes.
Something is bothering you and you cannot quite name it.
Your relationships keep running into the same walls.
You have been carrying something for a long time and have not told anyone the full version.
You feel like you are performing a version of yourself that is not quite real.
For LGBTQ+ adults specifically, there is often an additional layer: years of adapting, code-switching, or suppressing parts of yourself that leave a residue even after things improve externally.
You do not need to justify needing support. The free 15-minute intro call costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
What to Expect from Therapy
What happens in a first therapy session?
Your first session is a conversation - no tests, no exercises, no pressure to have anything figured out.
You will have a chance to share what has brought you to therapy, in whatever way feels comfortable. Your therapist will ask some questions to understand your situation and what you are hoping to get from the work. You will also have space to ask questions about the process and what sessions typically look like.
Nothing is expected of you except to show up. You do not need a diagnosis, a clear goal, or a tidy explanation of why you are there. "I have been struggling and I am not sure how to name it" is a completely valid starting point.
At the end of the session, you and your therapist will talk about whether continuing makes sense and what that might look like.
How long does therapy take to work?
It depends on what you are working on but most people notice something shifting within the first four to six sessions, even if it is subtle.
Some people come for eight to ten sessions around a specific concern and feel ready to move on. Others work with a therapist for a year or more, going deeper over time. Neither is better — it depends on what you need.
What tends to predict good outcomes more than anything else is the quality of the relationship between you and your therapist, and your willingness to keep showing up even when sessions feel slow or uncomfortable.
At Tribe Wellness, we do not push any particular number of sessions. We talk openly about what is working and adjust as we go. You are in control of the when and how often you book so it works best for you.
How long are sessions?
Full therapy sessions are 50 minutes. The free intro call is 15 minutes.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person sessions?
Yes. For many people, telehealth is more effective in practice because it removes the barriers that prevent consistent attendance — no commute, no waiting room, no parking. Being in your own space can also make it easier to access difficult emotions and speak honestly.
Research consistently shows that online therapy produces outcomes comparable to in-person therapy for the most common presenting concerns — anxiety, depression, grief, burnout, and relationship difficulties.
The most important factor in therapy outcomes is the quality of the relationship between you and your therapist. That quality transfers well to video.
How do I connect to my session?
Simple. Once you have booked, you will receive a confirmation email and a secure Zoom link ahead of your session.
At your session time, click the link from your phone, tablet, or computer. No apps need to be downloaded. No complicated setup.
If you have any technical difficulties, contact us at hello@tribewellness.com.au and we will help you troubleshoot or arrange an alternative connection method.
Costs and Rebates
How much does a session cost?
Sessions are $160 for 50 minutes. The free 15-minute intro call costs nothing.
If cost is a genuine barrier to access, reach out before assuming it rules you out. Email us at hello@tribewellness.com.au and we will do our best to help.
Can I use my private health insurance?
Many private health insurers cover counselling and psychotherapy sessions under their extras cover. Whether you can claim depends on your specific policy.
We recommend contacting your insurer and asking: "Do my extras cover counselling or psychotherapy with a PACFA-registered practitioner?" If they do, we can provide an invoice in the format they require.
Can I claim a Medicare rebate?
As a PACFA-registered counsellor and psychotherapist, Josh Feeney's sessions are not currently Medicare-rebatable. This is accurately reflected in our pricing and we are transparent about it.
Medicare rebates for psychology sessions require a GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan, and apply only to sessions with AHPRA-registered psychologists who hold a valid Medicare provider number.
If Medicare rebates are important to you, let us know.
What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan and do I need one?
A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is a document prepared by your GP that outlines your mental health needs and refers you to a psychologist. It is a requirement for accessing Medicare rebates on psychology sessions.
You do not need an MHTP to book with Tribe Wellness. You can book directly without visiting your GP first.
If you have an existing MHTP and want to understand whether it applies to your situation, get in touch at hello@tribewellness.com.au and we can advise accordingly.
Do you offer bulk billing?
No. Sessions are $160 for 50 minutes. We do not currently offer bulk billing. If cost is a barrier, please contact us before assuming you cannot access support.
Are there any other funding options?
Some NDIS participants may be able to use plan-managed or self-managed NDIS funding for counselling sessions. If you are an NDIS participant, contact your plan manager to discuss whether this applies to your situation and plan type.
WorkCover and EAP-funded sessions are not currently offered. If your employer has an Employee Assistance Program, check whether it covers sessions with external PACFA-registered practitioners.
Clinical Questions
What is the difference between a counsellor, psychotherapist, and psychologist in Australia?
These three titles are often used interchangeably but they involve different training, registration, and scope of practice.
Counsellors are trained to support people through life challenges — anxiety, depression, grief, identity, relationships, and more — using talk-based therapy. In Australia, counselling is not regulated by AHPRA, but accredited counsellors hold recognised qualifications and register with professional bodies like PACFA or the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). Medicare does not currently cover counselling, but private health insurance often does.
Psychotherapists work in depth with underlying patterns, beliefs, and experiences that shape how a person relates to themselves and others. The term overlaps significantly with counselling — many practitioners hold both titles. Psychotherapy typically involves longer-term, more exploratory work. The title is not AHPRA-regulated in Australia.
Psychologists are registered with AHPRA and can formally assess and diagnose mental health conditions. Their sessions are eligible for Medicare rebates when a GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan are in place. Becoming a registered psychologist in Australia requires a minimum of six years of study and supervised practice.
Josh Feeney at Tribe Wellness is a PACFA-registered counsellor and psychotherapist. His sessions are not Medicare-rebatable but may be covered by private health extras.
What issues does therapy at Tribe Wellness address?
Tribe Wellness works with LGBTQ+ adults on a wide range of concerns, including:
Anxiety — generalised, social, health-related, and performance anxiety.
Depression and persistent low mood.
Burnout and exhaustion.
Shame and self-worth.
Identity concerns — including coming out, gender identity, sexuality, and questioning.
Relationship difficulties — communication, intimacy, trust, and patterns from past relationships.
Grief and loss — including community grief, loss of identity, relationship loss, and bereavement.
Trauma — including minority stress, childhood experiences, and complex trauma.
Life transitions — career changes, relocation, relationship changes, and major life decisions.
Tribe Wellness does not provide services for people requiring emergency mental health support, complex psychiatric care, formal diagnosis, or court-ordered treatment. See the Crisis Support section below for emergency resources.
What therapeutic approaches does Tribe Wellness use?
Josh Feeney works from an integrative framework, drawing on approaches that are well-evidenced for the concerns LGBTQ+ adults commonly bring to therapy.
These include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps clients build psychological flexibility and clarify what matters most to them. Person-centred therapy, which prioritises the therapeutic relationship and the client's own capacity for growth. Narrative therapy, which helps people reauthor unhelpful stories about themselves. Somatic and body-based approaches that acknowledge the physical dimension of stress and trauma. Psychoeducation about minority stress, attachment, and the nervous system amongst other modalities.
The approach is always tailored to the individual. There is no one-size-fits-all method.
Privacy and Practicalities
Is my information kept confidential?
Yes. Everything you share in a session stays between you and your therapist.
The only exceptions are the situations required by law — if there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, or in other specific legal circumstances. We explain these limits clearly in your first session so there are no surprises.
We use secure, encrypted platforms for all sessions and communications. Your personal information is not shared with third parties for marketing or any other purpose.
Does my employer or family need to know I am seeing a therapist?
No. Your therapy is completely private and confidential. We do not notify your employer, GP, family, or anyone else that you are accessing our services — unless you explicitly ask us to share information, or in the rare legal circumstances explained at the start of your first session.
For LGBTQ+ adults who may not be out in all areas of their life, this matters. You can access support entirely on your terms, without it affecting any part of your world that is not ready.
As a telehealth service, there is no waiting room, no parking lot, and no reception desk. Nobody needs to know where you have been.
Are video sessions secure?
Yes. All sessions use a secure, encrypted video platform. Sessions are not recorded or stored. Your video call is solely between you and your therapist. We will even check in with you that you are in a private and safe space to ensure you’re comfortable in session.
What is your cancellation policy?
We understand that life changes. Our cancellation policy is designed to be fair to both clients and practitioners.
More than 48 hours' notice: full session credit or refund. Less than 48 hours' notice or no-show: full session charge.
To cancel or reschedule, contact us at hello@tribewellness.com.au as early as possible.
What happens if I have technical issues during a session?
If you experience connection problems during a session, let us know at hello@tribewellness.com.au and we will arrange to either continue the session by phone or reschedule at no additional cost.
Before your session, check that your device's camera and microphone are working and that your browser has permission to access them. A stable internet connection and a reasonably quiet, private space make a big difference to your experience.
For GPs and Allied Health Professionals
Can I refer a patient to Tribe Wellness?
Yes. Tribe Wellness welcomes referrals from GPs, psychiatrists, social workers, university counselling services, LGBTQ+ health organisations, and allied health practitioners across Australia.
LGBTQ+ adults who have struggled to access affirming mental health support, or who have disengaged from previous therapy, often respond well to a service where the practitioner already understands their world from the outset.
To refer a patient, email a referral letter or clinical summary to hello@tribewellness.com.au. Please include the client's name, date of birth, presenting concerns, and your contact details for correspondence. Clients can also self-refer at tribewellness.com.au/book.
We confirm receipt within two business days.
Download our one-page GP and allied health referral card at tribewellness.com.au/referrals
Crisis Support
What if I am in crisis right now?
Tribe Wellness is not a crisis or emergency service. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, suicidal thoughts, or are at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please contact one of the following services immediately:
000 — emergency services
Lifeline — 13 11 14 (available 24 hours, 7 days)
Beyond Blue — 1300 224 636
Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467
QLife — 1800 184 527 (LGBTQ+-specific counselling and referral, available 3pm to midnight daily)
Mental Health Line (NSW) — 1800 011 511 (available 24 hours, 7 days)
If things are difficult but not an emergency, we are here. Email us at hello@tribewellness.com.au or book a free intro call. We respond to all enquiries within 48 hours.
Still have a question?
Email us at hello@tribewellness.com.au and we will get back to you within 48 hours.
Or skip straight to booking — a free 15-minute intro call costs nothing and commits you to nothing.