Seeing a Psychologist

What to expect from seeing a psychologist

For many people, the thought of coming along to see a psychologist for the first time can be daunting. However, for most clients, the first session is an opportunity to share things that have been on their mind. It is also the opportunity to start gaining support and clarity in an environment that helps you to feel listened to, respected and comfortable.

Many people feel nervous or unsure when they first see a psychologist because they are unsure what to expect. Your therapist will explain what is involved in your sessions.

What is the aim of counselling?

The aim is to empower you to live the best and healthiest life possible by helping you to understand past and current issues and help you to learn practical ways to feel more confident at creating the life that is right for you. Psychological treatment is a partnership between the therapist and client, and generally “the more you put in, the more you will get out of it”

Why see a psychologist?

At different times in our lives, we experience a range of situations and events that can be difficult and cause distress. Talking to a trained psychologist can help you get through this difficulty. Psychologists are trained in evidence-based practices and are trained to listen.

How can a psychologist help?

Psychologists are trained to talk to people about their challenges and experiences and to help people better understand themselves.

Psychologists provide a supportive and safe environment where people can explore different perspectives and develop their skills in a variety of areas effecting their life.

A session with a psychologist usually involves talking about the person’s concerns, their experiences and understanding of their situation and their goals.

How long are the sessions?

Each session goes for approximately 50 mins. Please arrive on time to ensure you maximise your appointment.

How many sessions will I have?

Psychologists usually see clients weekly or fortnightly to begin with to help understand your needs. The frequency of sessions will be discussed with you based on your needs, goals and how the issue is impacting you. The ideal amount of psychology sessions can vary depending on each individual and their concerns and experiences. Some people may only need 6-10 sessions to address a specific issue, while others may require ongoing therapy to manage long term or complex difficulties. There is no “one size fits all” approach.

We aim to equip you with insight, knowledge and skills to help you feel confident and able to manage independently. Sometimes, clients find they benefit from engaging in therapy for a longer period of time and it’s not uncommon for clients to remain engaged in therapy for an extended period of time as they benefit from the ongoing support provided to them. As long as you feel that engaging in therapy is beneficial, you can continue to attend sessions. The treatment plan will be discussed with you at each session and with your input.

What to Expect at my First Appointment

It can be daunting to attend your first appointment and it is very normal to feel nervous and even anxious about it. Our friendly team are aware of this and will make their best efforts to create a comfortable experience for you.

At your first appointment, the focus is mostly on getting to know you, your history and background and what has prompted you to seek support. A range of questions about your life (e.g. your current family or living situation and family history), your health and wellbeing experiences, and you may be asked to complete a questionnaire. This can sometimes take more than one session.

Your psychologist will also explain privacy, confidentiality, what to expect form the course of treatment and modalities they use and how they approach their work with you. Your psychologist is always there to answer any questions you may have.

At the end of the first session, they will collaborate with you and develop a treatment plan for you that will continually be evaluated as you progress in your treatment. Factors such as:

> Your current needs and the goals you are hoping to achieve;

> Any constraints that may need to be considered, e.g. your availability.

Referral Process

You don’t need a referral to see a psychologist. You can see a psychologist as a private client. However, you may be eligible to obtain a Medicare rebate to subsidise the session fees or claim with your Private Health Insurer.

There are a number of referral pathways:

Self-referral – You can claim your session fee through your private health insurance if you have the appropriate cover. Every health insurance company and package is different, so it is important that you check with your provider. If you don’t have insurance, that is okay, you can still see a psychologist however there will be no rebates.

GP, Psychiatrist, Paediatrician – You can access Medicare funding if your GP, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician provides you with a Mental Health Care Plan through the Better Access Services. If you meet the criteria for a Mental Health Care Plan, you can access Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. Make an appointment with your GP to discuss this further.

If you have been diagnosed with a chronic health condition, you can access Medicare rebates for a up to five sessions per year with a psychologist under the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Program (formerly known as an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Program).

The Medicare rebates provide partial reimbursement as we are a private practice, therefore there will be an out-of-pocket amount. We aim to keep fees as low as possible to provide easier access to ongoing therapeutic support to effect greater change.

Worksafe– If you have been involved in a workplace incident and your claim has been evaluated and approved, you may be able to access a limited number of psychological therapy sessions for little to no cost.

TAC – if you have been involved in a road transport accident, you may be able to access a limited number of psychological therapy sessions for little to no cost.

Cancellation Policy

When you make an appointment with your psychologist, that time has been reserved for you. Your psychologist has planned and prepared for your appointment. While we understand that there can be good reasons for cancelling or rescheduling appointments, late cancellations and late requests for rescheduling can impact appointments that are available to all our clients. Unlike brief medical appointments, it is impracticable to fill a psychology appointment that runs for 50 minutes at short notice. The aim of our policy is to ensure all clients on our waitlists do not miss the opportunity to have appointments.

Reminder Texts & Emails

To assist clients with managing their appointments, an email and SMS are sent 5 days prior to your appointment, providing ample time to contact the clinic if changes are required. We ask that you confirm your attendance as soon as possible. Reminder texts and emails are an additional courtesy provided and should not be relied upon. It is your responsibility to remember and manage your appointments.

Where can I find the cancellation policy?

All clients are informed of this policy during the Intake Call and when first booking appointments. The policy is also stated in the Consent Form as part of the online Intake Form.

Appointments cancelled or rescheduled within 48 business hours will incur a fee as follows:
Less than 48 hours: $180 + GST
On the day of the appointment: Full session fee + GST
Non-attendance: Full session fee + GST

Medicare and Private Health Insuarance rebates are not applicable to cancellation fees. WorkCover, TAC and VOCAT do not cover cancellation fees. NDIS fees will be charged at their full session fee.

Please note that calling our office is the most effective way to ensure we receive the appropriate notice. Please leave a phone message or email us outside of business hours, if it is before the cancellation deadline.

Cancellation fees are payable on the phone at the time of cancellation or will be directly charged to the encrypted credit card stored. Outstanding accounts (maximum terms = 7 days) will be referred to debt collection and will incur an 18% + GST debt collection fee.

Therapeutic Approaches

Evidence-based approaches utilised to assist clients

Emotion Focussed Therapy (EFT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Positive Psychology

Person Centred

Solution Focussed Therapy

Strength-based strategies

Mindfulness