What to expect during the appointment
Your Psychologist will spend some time getting to know you and finding out about your current concerns. You will be asked questions about your background. Although we prefer to focus on the here and now, at times you may need to talk about your past in order to understand your present difficulties. During the sessions, you will learn to break down each problem into its separate parts. Together we will look at your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to work out if they are unrealistic or unhelpful. It's easy to talk about something and much harder to actually do it. After you have identified what you can change, you will get 'homework' - you practice these changes in everyday life.
At each session, you discuss how you have got on since the last session. You will usually meet for counselling for between 5 and 20 sessions weekly to fortnightly. Each session will last for 50 minutes.
Telehealth appointments are also available via Zoom. Please ask your Psychologist for more details on how to access this service
Fees
Our Psychologists are registered with Medicare, therefore you will be entitled to a rebate for 10 sessions per calendar year if you have a valid referral from a GP, Psychiatrist or Pediatrician under a Mental Health Care Plan.
Fees are $200 per session. We offer fees on a sliding scale, so please advise your Psychologist if you are experiencing any financial difficulty. Pensioners and healthcare card holders are entitled to be bulk billed for sessions.
Fees are payable at the end of the session. EFTPOS facilities are available and if you are entitled to government rebates and benefits under Medicare we can provide you with on-the-spot refunds.
Cancellation Fees
Like many health and medical professionals, please be aware that we do have a cancellation policy which is based on the time that our psychologist sets for the appointment missed.
If, for some reason, you need to cancel or postpone your appointment, please give at least 24 hours’ notice. Clients who cancel their session on the day or do not show up will be charged the full fee equivalent to a full session fee (exceptional circumstances include severe and unexpected illness i.e. admissions to hospital).
Confidentiality
All personal information gathered during the provision of the psychological service will remain confidential and secure except when:
1. It is subpoenaed by a court of law; or
2. Failure to disclose the information would place the client or another person at risk of harm; or
3. Your prior written consent has been obtained to provide or receive information from another professional or agency, such as your GP, legal representative, Insurance company or relevant government department.
Medicare
If you have been referred by your doctor through the Better Access to Mental Health Scheme, it is a requirement under Medicare that a letter be sent by your psychologist to your doctor. This letter will detail the outcome of your assessment and treatment with your psychologist.