As the Border’s local expert on relationships, the media regularly seek Cyan’s opinion and advice. He has featured frequently on local and national news, both and in the press and on TV. He has helped thousands of people throughout Australia, who have problems just like you, to get the relationship they have always yearned for.
Medicare Rebate Concerns
03 April 2024 | The Border Mail
Wodonga counsellor Cyan von Gija said the issue was one that had been around for several years and “wasn’t getting any better”…
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Mr von Gija said that given the demands inherent in long waiting lists of people seeking help with their mental health, it wasn’t fair that counsellors were not paid a Medicare gap fee despite their experience.
Mr von Gija said that given the demands inherent in long waiting lists of people seeking help with their mental health, it wasn’t fair that counsellors were not paid a Medicare gap fee despite their experience.
“One of the things that upset me is you can be a social worker and go and do six months’ training in mental health and then get under the mental health care plan,” he said.
“For someone like myself, who has had 10 years of training and over 40 years of experience, we don’t get any rebates at all.”
Mr von Gija said that when compared with the bigger cities, this region had only half the number of health practitioners “and that’s where our problem is”.
“The wait lists are terrible,” he said.
“It wouldn’t be so bad if people only had something mild.
“But some people are in crisis, and it’s quite tortuous that they have to wait to see a psychologist or pay full fees to see someone who can get them in quicker.”
Mr von Gija said he had many people approach him who couldn’t afford the service and so asked for a discounted rate.
“Sometimes we can do it out of the goodness of our heart, but it is unfair,” he said.
“I’ve given up worrying about the Medicare rebate gap now.
“That’s even though I’ve done so many severe trauma cases through to coronial reports, yet there’s people who have hardly any experience and get the Medicare rebate,” he said.
Mr von Gija said there were still negative impacts flowing through from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s increased the pressure for life in general,” he said.
“There’s not enough therapists out there to meet the services.”
Gay Marriage and Relationship Equality
10 May 2012 | Prime 7 News
Love bites: Valentines Day curse
20 February 2012 | The Border Mail
A relationship counsellor is urging Border residents not to buy into the pressures of Valentines Day, warning the special occasion could lead to heartbreak if not handled with caution…
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Cyan von Gija, from Albury-Wodonga Counselling, says the day can be difficult or disappointing for both singles and those in a relationship.
Mr von Gija said some of his clients had actually broken up on Valentines Day, because the experience didn’t live up to their expectations.
“What happens is the relationship might not be in a good place and then we come to this day … The expectation is that we should have a really special romantic time … but you might be in a bad place.
“While I’m not proposing we get rid of Valentines Days, I just think we need to take off some of the pressures that come with it.”
The counsellor said he would advise to celebrate the day in a way that “feels right”.
For example, Mr von Gija said a night celebrated with champagne, a limousine and expensive restaurant might not be the right fit for a couple that have just met, or those under financial pressure.
He suggested instead a laid-back picnic, or perhaps even celebrating their love on an alternative date.
“I think Valentines Day is a nice day, but unfortunately it’s only one day of the year and the relationship exists 365 days a year,” Mr von Gija said.
Valentines Day has traps for single people too, Mr von Gija said, as those without a partner feel pressure to get a date.
He said some of his clients contact him around this time of year saying they’re very depressed they don’t have someone to love.
Mr von Gija suggested those feeling this way might instead choose to spent the night with friends, celebrating with champagne and chocolates.
“Celebrate your relationship with others and your relationship with friends,” he said.
Be Realistic with Weight Goals
26 January 2011 | Wentworth Courier
There’s nothing like the New Year to spark good intentions: Get fit, eat better, lose weight…
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But keeping it up can be hard, and there’s nothing like a hint of failure to make you give up entirely.
Paddington-based nutritionist Cyan von Gija said the most important thing was to set flexible but realistic goals.
“Rather than focusing on one major goal – like ‘I want to lose 10 kg this year’ – it’s probably better to think ‘OK, by February, I want to have lost 2 kg’, so you can measure how you’re going with it,” he said. “It’s no good having a goal you ‘re not going to achieve..”
Mr von Gija said it is better to “push a little bit, but not too much” because an impossible goal is setting a person up for failure. He is also not inclined to set overly specific eating plans for clients.
“People generally know what’s good for them and what’s not.” he said. ”Normally I’d suggest to keep away from fried foods and cakes,
and things like that and incorporate a lot of vegetables. It’s more about being practical.”
One client last year was a mother with an Italian background. Cooking and eating large family meals were a key part of daily life. “It would be impossible for her to produce a totally separate meal for herself,” Mr von Gija said. “If she was just sitting down with some Lean Cuisine, she was going to feel like she was missing out. “So I told her to go buy herself a really nice and special, small plate.
“So when everyone else had these big traditional plates, she had exactly the same foods as everyone else, and she didn’t feel like she was missing out.”
