Help & information
FAQS
Fees
Initial Session 90 minutes: $270 Subsequent session 60 minutes: $220
(subject to revision on 2026)Fees are payable at the end of the session by cash or EFTPOS. The follow-up of any Medicare or insurance claims is left to your responsibility.
Do you offer discounted fees?
Under exceptional circumstances, a discounted fee can be offered but there will still be an out-of-pocket expense to the client. Request for discounts must be made prior to the first session, otherwise the full fee will be charged. This practice is unable to bulk-bill for services provided. If you are experiencing financial constraints, you may like to consider:- Contacting your local hospital about Community Mental Health Services .- Speaking to your GP to see if you qualify for a referral under the Psychological Support Services. For further information, please refer to the following link:https://cesphn.org.au/general-practice/help-my-patients-with/mental-health/mental-health-services-funded-by-cesphn/pss
Can I claim any rebates for the session fees?
You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate if you have been referred by your GP under one of the following Medicare schemes:
1. GP Mental Health Care Plan.
2. Eating Disorder Treatment Plan.
3. Chronic Disease Management Plan.
Please consult your GP to see if you qualify for any of these.
Fees may also be covered if you have self-managed or plan-managed NDIS funding.
Please consult your private health insurance company for claimable services.
Do you charge cancellation fees?
Cancelling an appointment on short notice is costly to several parties – you as the recipient of the service, the clinician who had invested preparation and time for your session, and other clients who are waiting to get an appointment. If, for any reason you need to cancel or postpone the appointment, please provide at least 48 hours notice so that the appointment can be offered to other clients.
• No cancellation fees for changes or cancellations if notice is provided more than 48 hours before the schedule appointment.• A cancellation fee of $50 is charged if the cancellation is less than 48 hours before the scheduled appointment (unless if cancelled on the same day of the appointment).• The full session fee is payable for sessions cancelled on the same day of the appointment or if there is a no-show.• Cancellation fees for reason of illness will be left up to the discretion of the clinician. You might like to consider if having the session via Telehealth might be helpful if you are too unwell to attend. If the client is a child who is unwell, the session can be used by a parent to address parent management strategies. Cancellation fees can be waived if the appointment can be scheduled within a week of the original appointment (subject to therapist's availability). • Medicare rebates cannot be used for cancellation fees.
• No cancellation fees for changes or cancellations if notice is provided more than 48 hours before the schedule appointment.• A cancellation fee of $50 is charged if the cancellation is less than 48 hours before the scheduled appointment (unless if cancelled on the same day of the appointment).• The full session fee is payable for sessions cancelled on the same day of the appointment or if there is a no-show.• Cancellation fees for reason of illness will be left up to the discretion of the clinician. You might like to consider if having the session via Telehealth might be helpful if you are too unwell to attend. If the client is a child who is unwell, the session can be used by a parent to address parent management strategies. Cancellation fees can be waived if the appointment can be scheduled within a week of the original appointment (subject to therapist's availability). • Medicare rebates cannot be used for cancellation fees.
Do I need a referral?
You do not need a referral to be a client of this service.
If you intend to claim a rebate from Medicare, however, you will need to see your GP to find out if you qualify for a Mental Health Care Plan.
If you intend to claim a rebate from Medicare, however, you will need to see your GP to find out if you qualify for a Mental Health Care Plan.
My doctor has referred me on a Mental Health Care Plan. What does that mean?
If your GP has established a Mental Health Care Plan for you, it means that you can access subsidised psychological services under the Medicare Better Access scheme. You are eligible to claim rebates for up to ten (6+4) sessions in a calendar year. Medicare currently requires clients to return to their GP after the first six sessions for a review, where your GP will determine if you qualify for another four sessions of psychological therapy. The GP is required to write you a new referral for the additional four sessions. The psychologist will write to your referring GP after the sixth and the tenth session with a progress report of your treatment.
If you start to see a new GP, your Mental Health Care Plan can be transferred to the new doctor. Please provide the details of your new GP to the psychologist and further correspondence will be sent to your new GP.
You can choose to see a new psychologist within a course of a Mental Health Care Plan. It is important to let your doctor know if you are seeing a different psychologist from the one they first referred you to. You will also need to provide the details of your Mental Health Care Plan to your new psychologist.
For more information, please visitBetter Access fact sheet – patientshttps://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-07/better-access-fact-sheet-patients.pdf
If you start to see a new GP, your Mental Health Care Plan can be transferred to the new doctor. Please provide the details of your new GP to the psychologist and further correspondence will be sent to your new GP.
You can choose to see a new psychologist within a course of a Mental Health Care Plan. It is important to let your doctor know if you are seeing a different psychologist from the one they first referred you to. You will also need to provide the details of your Mental Health Care Plan to your new psychologist.
For more information, please visitBetter Access fact sheet – patientshttps://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-07/better-access-fact-sheet-patients.pdf
I have an Eating Disorder Treatment Plan. What does that mean?
The Eating Disorder Treatment Plan (EDTP) entitles you to Medicare subsidies to access a range of health professionals, including: • assessment and treatment planning • up to 40 sessions of evidence-based psychological treatment from a mental health professional. This can include individual and/or group sessions. • up to 20 sessions of dietetic services from an Accredited Practicing Dietitian • review and ongoing management services by the GP and care team to ensure you can access the appropriate level of intervention.
Medicare currently requires you to return to their GP after the first ten sessions for a review, where your GP will determine if you qualify for another ten sessions of psychological therapy. The GP is required to write you a new referral for the additional ten sessions. The psychologist will write to your referring GP after each block of ten sessions with a progress report of your treatment. If you require more than 20 sessions, you will have to consult a psychiatrist after 20 sessions, to get approval for further sessions under Medicare.
- If you start to see a new GP, your EDTP can be transferred to the new doctor. Please provide the details of your new GP to the psychologist and further correspondence will be sent to your new GP.
- You can choose to see a new psychologist within a course of an EDTP. It is important to let your doctor know if you are seeing a different psychologist from the one they first referred you to. You will also need to provide the details of your EDTP to your new psychologist. For more information, please visit EDFA-NEDC-Medicare-EDP-Factsheet.pdf
Medicare currently requires you to return to their GP after the first ten sessions for a review, where your GP will determine if you qualify for another ten sessions of psychological therapy. The GP is required to write you a new referral for the additional ten sessions. The psychologist will write to your referring GP after each block of ten sessions with a progress report of your treatment. If you require more than 20 sessions, you will have to consult a psychiatrist after 20 sessions, to get approval for further sessions under Medicare.
- If you start to see a new GP, your EDTP can be transferred to the new doctor. Please provide the details of your new GP to the psychologist and further correspondence will be sent to your new GP.
- You can choose to see a new psychologist within a course of an EDTP. It is important to let your doctor know if you are seeing a different psychologist from the one they first referred you to. You will also need to provide the details of your EDTP to your new psychologist. For more information, please visit EDFA-NEDC-Medicare-EDP-Factsheet.pdf
confidentiality
Purpose of collecting and holding information
The information is gathered as part of the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of the client’s condition, and is seen only by the psychologist. The information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions, and enables the psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service.
Access to Client Information
At any stage you as a client are entitled to have access to the information about you kept on file, unless the relevant legislation provides otherwise. The psychologist may discuss with you the appropriate forms of access.
Confidentiality
All personal information gathered by the psychologist during the provision of the psychological service will remain confidential and secure except where: 1. It is subpoenaed by a court, or 2. Failure to disclose the information would place you or another person at serious and imminent risk; or 3. Your prior approval has been obtained to a) provide a written report to another professional or agency. eg. a GP or a lawyer; or b) discuss the material with another person, eg. a parent or employer; or if disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law.
Please note that the psychologist is required to provide a progress report to your referring doctor, if you are using the service under a Mental Health Care Plan or an Eating Disorder Treatment Plan.
Please note that the psychologist is required to provide a progress report to your referring doctor, if you are using the service under a Mental Health Care Plan or an Eating Disorder Treatment Plan.
Bookings
Can I get an urgent appointment?
Unfortunately, this practice is unable to offer urgent appointments or to provide a crisis service. If you need immediate assistance, you are advised to contact the Mental Health Information Line on 1800 011 511 or present to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
Can you put me on a waiting list?
If the practice is fully-booked, you are welcome to request to be put on a waiting list, in case any cancellations come up. Your name, date of birth, a phone number and an email address is required for the waiting list. There is, however, no guarantee that an appointment will become available at a time that suits your needs. You are encouraged to explore other service options to receive timely assistance for your difficulties.
Do you open after hours and on weekends?
The practice is closed on Mondays and on weekends. You may be offered an after-hours appointment ( 5pm to 7pm), subject to availability.
Do you offer Telehealth services?
Yes. Telehealth sessions are held via Microsoft Teams. If you opt for a Telehealth session, you will be sent a video link before the session. It is important to ensure that you have strong internet connectivity at your location and that you have adequate privacy for the Telehealth session to be effective.
Do you offer home visits?
Home visit are unfortunately not available. If you are unable to attend the appointment in person, you might like to consider the option of a Telehealth session instead.
Do you do court reports?
The provision of assessments and reports for legal purposes are beyond the scope of this practice. In the course of psychological therapy, it may be feasible for the psychologist to provide a client with support documents or a summary of intervention.
Clinical notes on your treatment, if ordered by a subpoena, will have to be provided to court.
Do you work with transgender clients and LGBTQI+ challenges?
Yes. This practice is committed to providing a safe and accepting place for individuals on their journey with their sexual and / or gender identity and relationships.