fREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I prepare for my first session?
An intake and consent form will be sent to your email address once you’ve booked your first appointment and a short assessment, so that we can prepare for your session and have some introductory information .
Be yourself; and please remember, there is no right or wrong way to prepare for your first session, and feeling a range of emotions is normal.
We are here to work to support you and we care about your success, peace and wellbeing.
Breathe, deeply...
What kind of assessments do you offer?
Personality Assessment
Mental Health Functioning
Vocational Assessments
Intellectual Functioning
Functional Capacity
Do I need a referral for my first session?
You will need a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP or treating medical specialist if you would like to claim your sessions under the governmental Medicare rebate scheme.
If you have been involved in a car accident or sustained a workplace injury, please speak with your GP, Lawyer, or Claims Manager to discuss pre-approval for sessions.
No referral is needed if you would like to see your psychologist privately.
How do I claim the Medicare rebate?
A referral from your treating GP with a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) enables you to claim the Medicare rebate, which is currently $96.65.
This rebate is processed immediately after the session and deposited into your Medicare linked bank account.
We do not provide bulk-billed sessions through Medicare, although we do offer a sliding rates scale.
What is your cancellation policy?
We understand that things come up and appointments sometimes need to be moved around.
We can help you move or cancel your appointment provided we have at least 24 hours’ notice.
To make a change to your appointment, please call or message 0411 344 339
As there is a waiting list for appointments I appreciate and encourage clients to mindfully be responsible for all appointments booked with me.
If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please do so 24 hours prior to your appointment to avoid paying the full fee. If less than 24-hour notice is given of a cancellation of your scheduled appointment, the full fee may be applied.
How Many Sessions can I access?
Under the Better Access initiative, eligible people can receive:
- Up to 10 individual sessions in a calendar year (1 January to 31 December).
- Up to 10 group therapy sessions in a calendar year where such services are available and seen as appropriate by your referring doctor and the psychologist.
We do not provide bulk-billed sessions through Medicare, although we do offer a sliding rates scale.
Referrals cannot be provided for the full 10 sessions. A referral is for a maximum of six sessions. Your referring doctor will assess your progress after the first six sessions and determine whether further sessions are needed.
After you have reached the maximum number of allowable sessions for the calendar year you will not be eligible for any further Medicare rebates for treatment you receive from a psychologist until the new calendar year.
If you are covered for have ancillary (extra) private health insurance, you will be able claim via your private health provider.
Does the Medicare Safety Net apply to my out-of-pocket expenses?
Yes. You are responsible for paying any charges in excess of the Medicare rebate. However, these out-of-pocket expenses will count towards the Medicare Safety Net.
Once you or your family reach the relevant threshold in the calendar year, Medicare benefits will increase to 100 per cent of the Government-determined schedule fee under the original Safety Net, and 80 per cent of your total out-of-pocket expenses for out-of-hospital services under the extended Medicare Safety Net.
The Medicare Safety Net is designed to protect high users of health services from large out-of-pocket expenses.
Visit the Medicare Website clicking the below green button for more information on the Medicare Safety Net.
Do you bulk bill?
Bulk Billing is unfortunately not an option, given the costs associated with maintaining, running and managing a private practice.
I do offer a sliding payments rates scale.
When some clients reach their Medicare safety threshold; they are able to claim 80% of the session costs.
If you are an individual or a family with medical health expenses, have you registered for the Medicare Safety Net?
It may be worth checking to see if you qualify?
As this will dramatically lower the cost of sessions to 10% of the rate.