Clients may need reports or support letters for a variety of reasons. Understanding the specific purposes can help ensure that the request is accurately fulfilled and the documentation serves its intended purpose effectively.

Common Situations for Needing Reports or Support Letters

Academic Accommodations

Workplace Accommodations

Medical Leave

Legal Purposes

Insurance Claims

Referral to Specialist Services

Confirmation of Attendance

Key Information on Diagnostic Assessments and Support Letters

We’d like to provide some important information regarding support letters and the scope of our counselling and psychotherapy services.

As mental health professionals, our primary role is to support your emotional and psychological wellbeing through a safe, trusting, and therapeutic relationship. We are here to help you better understand and navigate personal challenges such as anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, or relationship difficulties — and to support your journey toward healing, resilience, and inner balance.

Please note that our service is therapeutic in nature and not intended to provide documentation for external agencies.

We do not provide:

Medical or formal psychological diagnoses Reports, summaries, or support letters for legal matters, Centrelink, immigration, insurance, or academic appeals

However, we can provide (with your written consent):

A brief letter confirming that you are or have been engaged in therapy with us The start date and most recent session attended A general statement that you have discussed personal challenges that may affect your wellbeing or ability to meet daily responsibilities

Please be aware that this type of letter is not a formal report and does not fulfil requirements for legal, institutional, or government documentation. If a formal diagnosis or assessment is needed, we recommend consulting a registered psychologist or psychiatrist.

This policy is in place to protect your privacy, ensure transparency, and maintain the ethical standards of counselling and psychotherapy practice.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further before making a decision, you are welcome to contact us directly.

Requesting a Report or Support Letter

Processing Time and Costs

• Processing Time: Reports and support letters take at least one week to prepare, as they are completed during your counsellor’s working days.
• Cost: The fee for a report or support letter is equivalent to a half or full session fee, depending on the document’s length and purpose.

Eligibility Requirements

• Counselling Sessions: You must have attended at least three counselling sessions to be eligible to request a report or support letter.

Confirmation Letters

• For School or Workplace: We offer confirmation letters for your school or workplace at no additional cost, provided on the same day you attend your counselling session. These letters can be used for day or hour leave purposes.

Extended Leave

• Extended Leave from School or Work: If you require extended leave due to a mental health condition and the leave is not related to attending an appointment with our counsellor/psychotherapist, please consult with a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist, or another relevant mental health professional for a medical certificate. Our counsellors and psychotherapists are not authorized to issue medical certificates or recommendations for extended leave.

Before requesting a support letter for extended leave, check with your school or workplace to ensure they accept such documentation from our counsellors/psychotherapists. We strive to provide support letters that are both beneficial and timely for our clients.

Delivery of Reports and Support Letters

Reports or support letters will be sent directly to the third party’s email address or via post. When requesting this service, please provide:

• Third Party’s Contact Details
• Your Reference Number
• Specific Reason for the Report or Support Letter

This policy ensures that we maintain professional and ethical standards in providing accurate and timely documentation to support your needs.

For any questions or to request a report, please contact us at contact@phuongtran.com.au or info@theshm.com.au.

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