Step 1: If you would prefer not to obtain a referral from your doctor you may contact us directly via telephone, email or our online contact form. If you wish to obtain a Medicare rebate for counselling you will need to obtain a referral from your GP, psychiatrist or a paediatrician. This is usually directly faxed to us and will allow you to access up to 10 counselling sessions (and 10 additional covid sessions) each calendar year with a Medicare rebate.

Step 2: When we receive the referral or your request, our intake team will contact you for an initial intake consultation. During this we will discuss your preferences, personal circumstances and tell you a bit more about our services.

Step 3: You may be placed on our waiting list for the next available appointment. Occasionally we have a waiting period depending on the psychologist you would like to see and their availability. When the practitioner becomes available, we will contact you and book you in for your first appointment. This could take between a few days to a few weeks.

Step 4: Arrive a bit earlier for your first appointment to complete our consent forms or bring them in with you.

To be eligible for the Medicare rebate you will need to visit your GP.

Medicare rebates are available for psychological treatment by registered psychologists under the Australian Government's Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative. This scheme provides considerable assistance to people living with mental health problems, allowing them greater access to psychologists and providing more affordable mental healthcare.

Under this scheme individuals diagnosed with a mental health disorder can access up to 10 individual and 10 group treatment sessions per year. Currently there is an additional 10 sessions available due to COVID.

Yes, during our intake we will take note of your preferences. We will then match you with one of our available psychologists that best suits your needs. If you would like to see a certain psychologist you can indicate this in the intake.

No, we don't offer Bulk Billing. As an alternative, clients can be referred through CARE in MIND. Click here for more information.

It is important to cancel your appointment at least 48 hours in advance to avoid a cancellation fee. The number of clients our psychologists can see is limited, if you don’t allow 48 hours' notice, we will be unable to offer the time to another client on our waiting list.

Our sessions are generally 50-60 minutes.

This very much depends on the individual case. Medicare provides a rebate for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. (With an additional 10 through the COVID-19 scheme)
Your Psychologist will discuss this with you, and you can collaboratively decide on the best plan moving forward. You may continue seeing your Psychologist after Medicare rebates are no longer available, you will however need to pay the full fee. You may wish to claim these sessions on your private health if you have extras benefits. Please check with your Private Health fund for eligibility.

Yes, most practitioners have appointments available after 5 and some work on Saturdays.

Anything you discuss with your psychologist is confidential. There are only a selected number of cases your psychologist can disclose details.

1. It is subpoenaed by a court; or
2. Failure to disclose the information would, in the reasonable belief of your Psychologist place you or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; or
3. Your prior approval has been obtained to
a. Provide a written report to another professional or agency e.g. a GP; or
b. Discuss the material with another person, e.g. a parent, employer or health provider; or
c. Disclose the information in another way; or
4. Disclosure is otherwise required by law.

The difference between the 3 lies in their training, qualifications and approaches. Psychiatrists are medical practitioners (doctors) who studied medicine and specialise in Mental Health.

A psychologist has studied how the mind works and how people think, react and behave. Psychologists usually have a 4-year university degree in arts or science with an emphasis on psychology. After university, they typically complete a further 2 years of education and training to obtain 'general registration'. Psychological consultations are based on clinical psychological research into human behavior.

The title counsellor and their training are not regulated in Australia. Counselling is typically concerned with focusing on counselling techniques, without the training to provide a clinical assessment of a person's mental health. A counsellor would typically help you work on coping with life stressors.

A registered psychologist is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia, which falls under the Australian Health and Regulation Agency (AHPRA). A registered Psychologist must meet strict level of competencies, including completing at least 6 years of University and supervised practice, and must follow a strict code of conduct. This ensures you will receive a high-quality ethical treatment.

In your first session, your Psychologist will generally introduce themselves, their approach to treatment and spend a proportion of time understanding your clinical history and current presenting issues to understand how best to help you gain the most from the therapeutic process. Your first session is a great opportunity for you to measure how you feel in the therapeutic space, and how you feel working with your Psychologist. The first appointment is also a great opportunity to ask your Psychologist any questions and develop goals for treatment.

The goal of all psychological treatment is to help you feel better, work on symptom reduction if necessary, gain a better understanding of yourself and the nature of your symptoms, and to learn best ways of managing and coping with your symptoms.