Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
About LEXs
What makes LEXs different?
LEXs is a lived/living experience-led practice grounded in social work expertise. The work is shaped by formal training and direct experience of caregiving, migration, grief, and navigating mental health systems.
What sets LEXs apart is how clinical skill, cultural humility, and lived/living experience are woven together. Therapy is collaborative, trauma-informed, and shaped around the realities of people's lives, not just their symptoms. Sessions are paced around your context, values, and readiness, with respect for complexity and difference.
Who am I likely to be working with?
You'll be working with me, Michael Elwan, directly. LEXs is a solo practice. There is no junior staff, no rotating clinicians. The person you book with is the person you see for every session.
I'm an Accredited Social Worker (AASW 681846), therapist, and PhD candidate. I'm a state and national advisor on multiple forums covering suicide prevention, multicultural mental health, and workforce development. My work has been recognised through the AASW National Excellence Awards (Social Worker of the Year), the WA Mental Health Award, the Suicide Prevention Australia LiFE Awards, and the WA Multicultural Awards.
Therapy
What kinds of concerns can therapy help with?
Therapy at LEXs supports people navigating a wide range of emotional, relational, and life challenges.
Common reasons people get in touch include:
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Anxiety, persistent worry, and panic
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Depression and persistent low mood
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Trauma and PTSD, including childhood trauma
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Grief, loss, and suicide bereavement
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Caregiving pressure and carer burnout
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Relationship and couples difficulties
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Identity, migration, and belonging
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Workplace stress, burnout, and role strain
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Suicidal thinking or emotional overwhelm
You don't need to be in crisis to begin. Many people get in touch because something feels off; disconnected, stuck, or exhausted from carrying too much for too long. Therapy offers a space to slow things down, understand what is happening beneath the surface, and respond to life with greater clarity and self-trust.
How can therapy help?
Therapy offers a confidential, non-judgemental space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Through a person-centred approach, we work together to strengthen insight, emotional regulation, and practical coping tools.
The aim is not to fix you. The aim is to help you make sense of your story and find steadier ground at your own pace.
What approaches do you draw on?
My approach is integrative and trauma-informed. I draw on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, attachment-informed work, Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed approaches, and polyvagal-based strategies.
This is combined with lived/living experience and culturally responsive practice, recognising that healing is shaped by context, identity, and relationship.
Do you work with couples?
Yes. Couples therapy at LEXs focuses on rebuilding trust, improving communication, and fostering emotional safety. I draw on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and cross-cultural frameworks to help partners understand patterns, repair disconnection, and strengthen their relationship.
If your partner isn't ready to attend, individual therapy can be a useful starting point. You can begin exploring your own patterns and needs, which sometimes opens the door for joint sessions later.
What can I expect from my first session?
Your first session is a calm, exploratory space. We talk about what's brought you here, what matters to you, and what kind of support might be useful.
There is no pressure. Just clarity, collaboration, and a chance to see whether we are the right fit for each other.
What happens in a typical therapy session?
Each session is guided by what matters most to you. We might unpack a difficult experience, explore patterns, or practise tools to manage stress and anxiety. I draw on trauma-informed strategies, reflective dialogue, and, where appropriate, somatic awareness, always respecting your readiness and pace.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no set number. Some people attend a few focused sessions; others choose longer-term therapy. We review progress regularly to ensure the work stays aligned with your goals.
Sessions and practical matters
How long is a session?
Standard individual therapy sessions run for 60 minutes. Couples therapy sessions run for 90 minutes. Sixty minutes is longer than the typical 45 to 50 minutes offered in many settings, which gives time to slow down, process, and leave grounded rather than rushed.
How much does a session cost?
Session fees, including therapy and supervision rates, are listed on the Session Fees page.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly through the website. If you're an NDIS participant, your plan manager or support coordinator can also contact LEXs to arrange services.
Can I access rebates or private health cover?
I'm an Accredited Social Worker (AASW). Some private health funds reimburse social work services; please check your individual policy. LEXs does not currently process Medicare rebates.
Will my information remain confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is a core ethical responsibility. Information is managed in line with the AASW Code of Ethics and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Limits apply only where there is serious risk of harm, legal obligation (such as a subpoena), or child protection concerns. These limits are discussed transparently in the first session.
What happens if I need to reschedule or cancel?
At least 72 hours' notice is required to reschedule or cancel. Late cancellations or non-attendance may incur the full fee. This helps ensure fair access for others waiting for support. Full details are in the Cancellations Policy.
Where are you based, and who can you work with?
I'm based in Perth, Western Australia. All LEXs services are delivered online via secure telehealth, so I can work with people across Australia, including Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and beyond.
NDIS Telehealth Social Work
Do you offer NDIS supports?
Yes. LEXs offers NDIS Telehealth Social Work for self-managed and plan-managed participants across Australia. Sessions are delivered by me as an Accredited Social Worker and focus on functional capacity, daily living, and disability-related goals.
What's the difference between NDIS Telehealth Social Work and general therapy?
NDIS Telehealth Social Work is anchored in functional outcomes and disability-related goals, with reporting that supports plan reviews. General therapy is broader and not tied to a specific funding category. Some people use one, some use the other, depending on what their plan covers and what they need.
Full details are on the NDIS Telehealth Social Work page.
Other services
Do you offer supervision, training, consultancy, or keynote speaking?
Yes. Alongside therapy and NDIS social work, LEXs offers:
For supervision, you can book directly through the bookings page. For training, consultancy, or keynote enquiries, please get in touch with details of your event, organisation, or scope of work.
Still have a question?
If something isn't covered here, get in touch and I'll come back to you.