1. What is a Psychologist, and what do they do?
Psychologists are specialists in human behaviour, who work collaboratively with people to help them achieve their goals. Through a therapeutic relationship, Psychologists use evidence-based interventions and scientific knowledge, to support people to develop strategies to change their thinking or behaviours, to enable people to respond to situations, improve functioning, build capacity and make meaningful changes for them more effectively.
2. What happens at a first appointment?
Your first appointment will include either an initial interview (for a 16+ year old young person) or a parent interview (for a child under 16 years of age). This is an opportunity for you to tell your story to a Clinician to help them better understand your presenting concern for yourself, your history and your goals for therapy. From here, the Clinician will support you to understand the options available to you.
During this process, the clinician will support you to identify your goals, identify what (if any) further information is required, and then make a recommendation for therapy, assessment, or both.
In the event we identify a service that would better suit your needs we will assist you in understanding referral options and work with you to link you in with the ideal service for you.
3. How long is a session?
Appointments length varied depending on the type of services requested. For individual therapy session, typically are hourly, and comprise of 50 minutes face-to-face time, plus 10 minutes of administration/note-taking time.
For couple therapy session, typically is 2 x 50 = 100 minutes face to face time, so to give enough time for both parties to share their view and feeling, and to have time for therapy process.
Initial appointments for NDIS clients are typically 1.5 hours, and include time to review the client’s NDIS plan and complete an NDIS service agreement.
Assessment times vary and can be discussed and confirmed with your clinician.
4. How often will we need to see the psychologist?
This depends on several factors, including your presenting issue and goals and will be discussed with you by the treating clinician at the initial interview.
In most cases, during the initial stages of treatment, a Psychologist might recommend weekly or fortnightly sessions. This is to allow a client time to practice skills/strategies between sessions, however, ensures that therapy appointments maintain appropriate momentum needed to create long-term change.
Recommendations regarding frequency of appointments are part of an ongoing discussion and review between you and your treating clinician, to ensure that you are getting the most out of the therapy process.
5. Do you offer after school appointments? Do you work weekends?
We have some limited after school and Saturday appointments. If you have need for these hours, please discuss with the intake officer when you contact us.
6. Late cancellation fees policy
We understand that life happens, and cancellations may be necessary from time-to-time. We kindly request that you provide us with at least 48 hours notice, (or 2 business days) in the event you need to cancel your appointment. This enables us to offer the appointment to another client on the cancellation list.
Cancellation in less than 48 hours / 2 business days will incur the cancellation fee of the full session fee.
7. Is there a gap payment for services at your practices?
Yes, we are not a bulk-billing practice. As such, fees apply for our services, which are payable in full, at the time of the service.
Rebates may be applicable for private clients (e.g., with a valid Medicare referral or through Private Health Insurance). Third-party such as SIRA Work Cover Scheme, CTP and NDIS rates apply.
8. What age range do you see at your practices?
We see clients across the lifespan. Our clinicians have unique specialist expertise to assist people with a specific age range and/or issues. For details, please see our clinician bio.
9. Does my child attend the parent/carer interview?
Where a child/young person under the age of 18 is attending for services, our policy is to book an initial parent/carer interview prior to meeting the young person. As such, the child is asked to not attend the initial parent/carer interview. This is to allow the clinician to gather important background information pertinent to the referral question and presenting issue prior to meeting the child.
10. What happens after we use the 10 Medicare sessions for the year?
If there is a need for ongoing services at the completion of the 10 Medicare sessions, clients are welcome to continue to see their clinician at the full-fee paying rate.
Clients with Private health insurance may be eligible to claim a rebate from their insurance company to assist with payment of these services. As private health fund companies have different rebate amount, and different policies can have different rebate amount, it is advised you check with your health fund to clarify whether your policy rebate for psychology / counselling service, and for what amount.
11. What do I need to provide prior to or bring to the parent/carer interview?
• GP, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist Referral (if applicable)
• Medicare Card and/or Health Fund details
• NDIS Plan (if applicable), and details of Plan managers (if applicable)
• Signed Consent and Release form
• Court orders (if applicable)
• Any previous developmental/psychological/medical reports etc. (if relevant to the presenting issue)
• School reports (if relevant to the presenting issue)
12. Is the parent interview covered under the GP mental health care plan referral?
From 1 March 2023, Medicare allows up to 2 family/carer sessions to be eligible for a Medicare rebate under the Better Access to Mental Health program. For clients aged 14+, they will need to provide consent to allow their parent/carer to access these sessions on their behalf under Medicare (please see our consent and release form, for further information).
13. Is the parent interview covered under the NDIS?
This depends on what is included in your NDIS plan. However, as a general rule, Yes. The initial interview goes for 1.5 hours, and includes the clinical interview component (to obtain presenting issue, history and goals for yourself or your child), with time allocated to go through your NDIS plan, goals and to complete an NDIS service agreement.
14. Can you provide therapy at school?
Yes, this may be possible. However, this depends on many factors, including; the individual circumstances of the client, their presenting issue, therapy goals and clinician availability.
15. Do you do meetings with my child's speech therapist, occupational therapist and school, etc?
Yes, this is something we regularly do, and is called a “case conference”. Case conferences usually go between 1-2 hours, and are charged at our standard hourly rate. Due to everybody usually having very busy schedules, we require as much notice as possible to schedule case conferences.
16. Is what I say to a Psychologist private and confidential?
Yes, and no. Psychologists take clinical notes, which remain on the client’s file for at least 7 years (or until a child reaches 25 years of age).
The Consent and Release form will allow you to provide details of who you permit us to exchange information with. In the event you are referred for treatment under a GP referral, we will be required to update your referring medical practitioner regarding treatment progress.
We are unable to disclose your personal information without your permission, except under the following circumstances:
• A significant risk of harm is identified,
• There is a disclosure regarding a significant crime,
• The notes are subpoenaed, or as otherwise required by law.
If you have any questions, or concerns regarding privacy and confidentiality, please speak to your treating clinician.
17. Either myself, or my child needs urgent help, what should I do?
In the event you, or your child, require urgent mental health support or assistance, please see below for key contact details:
• Mental Health Access Line, ph: 1800 011 511
• Kids Helpline, ph: 1800 55 1800
• Lifeline, ph: 13 11 14
• Suicide Call-Back Line, ph: 1300 659 467
• Mens Line, ph: 1300 78 99 78
• White Ribbon Australia, 1800 Respect ph: 1800 737 732
• Westmead Children's Hospital, ph: (02) 9845 0000
• Local Hospital Emergency Room
• Emergency Services, ph: 000