Working With Me as an Associate Provider: Counselling, Dementia Support and Cognitive Stimulation Therapy

If you or someone you love is receiving support at home or has an NDIS plan, you might not know that counselling and psychotherapy could already be part of your funding. Here's how that works, how you can work with me whichever provider you're with, and how I can support you, including a new Cognitive Stimulation Therapy program that is open to the wider community.

Who I am and where I work

I'm a clinical counsellor and psychotherapist. I'm currently an associate provider with Dovida, Right at Home and Southern Cross Care Queensland, and I also work with NDIS participants who have clinical or capacity-building supports in their plan. My workplace is flexible - I can meet with you in my room at Providence House on Gregory Terrace, online via Telehealth, or many of my SAH clients arrange for me to meet at their home if access is an issue.

Not with one of these providers? That's usually not a barrier

You don't need to be with Dovida, Right at Home or Southern Cross Care Queensland to work with me. If you have a Support at Home package or an NDIS plan with another provider, you can simply ask your care partner or provider to add me as an associate provider under your package or plan. This is usually a straightforward process, and it means I can work with a much broader range of people across Queensland. Of course, you can also work with me as private client and this instance, you may be able to claim a rebate through your health fund if you have cover for counselling.

Why the clinical side matters

Because I'm a clinical provider, many of my participants can access counselling and other services I offer through the clinical funds within their Support at Home package or NDIS plan. In many cases this means you can see me without paying out of pocket. Your funding and plan details determine exactly what's available, so I'm always happy to talk it through with you, your family or your care coordinator.

The other hats I wear

As an end-of-life and dementia doula, these roles shape how I work. As such, I focus on supporting:

•      People living with a life limiting illness such as dementia, and the families walking beside them

•      People facing grief, loss and bereavement at any age or stage of life, whether or not illness is involved

•      Anyone navigating big, hard transitions who needs a calm, non-judgmental space to be heard

Grief doesn't only arrive after a death. It can begin at diagnosis, and it can be triggered repeatedly as life changes. I can accompany you at any stage of that journey.

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST)

As a trained CST facilitator, I run Cognitive Stimulation Therapy groups at the Wellness Hub at Duhig Village, Holland Park, in partnership with Southern Cross Care Queensland. Expressions of interest are open now, with a first group planned for mid November, 2026 and a second in February 2027.

CST is an evidence-based group program for people living with mild to moderate dementia. Through themed sessions, conversation, reminiscence and engaging activities, it supports thinking, communication and social connection in a warm and enjoyable setting.

Everyone with mild to moderate dementia is welcome

You don't need to live at Duhig Village or be a Southern Cross Care Queensland client to take part. The program is open to the wider community. If you have a diagnosis of mild to moderate dementia, you're welcome to join us, whether you live in a retirement village, in your own home, or with family, and whichever provider supports you.

How funding works

•      If you have Support at Home funding, with Southern Cross Care Queensland or any other provider, you may be able to claim CST as an allied health service under your package. Check with your provider or care partner, or I'm happy to help you work through it.

•      If you don't have Support at Home funding, you're very welcome to attend as a private client.

For care managers and care partners

If you've spoken with a client who would benefit from counselling, dementia support, grief support or CST, you're warmly invited to send me a referral. I'll reach out to them directly. I acknowledge every package and plan is different, so I'm always happy to talk it through with you, your client or family members before anything is decided.

Getting started

If any of this sounds like what you or someone you care about needs, I'd love to hear from you. You don't need to have everything figured out. Just reach out, and we can work out together what support might look like and how it can be funded.

Please contact Kate: E: kategroundzero@gmail.com or phone M: 0401 512 007

Ground Zero Counselling, Brisbane, Queensland