Are you taking on new clients at the moment?
Yes I am taking on new clients, however spaces are very limited and a short wait of 2 to 3 weeks may occur.
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist?No, you do not need a referral to see a clinical psychologist. You can make an appointment with a clinical psychologist without a referral from your GP or a psychiatrist. If you decide to do this you will need to pay the full amount for your sessions out of your own pocket unless your private health insurance includes psychology in your extras package. To receive a Medicare rebate clients need to be referred under a GP Mental Health Care Plan, a Chronic Disease management plan, or through a psychiatrist.
Do you receive a Medicare or a private health insurance rebate when you see a psychologist?MedicareIf you have a referral from a GP or a psychiatrist for a Mental Health Care Plan you will be eligible to receive a Medicare rebate of $ 141.85 (for a clinical psychologist) per for 10 sessions a year. To be able to claim the Medicare rebate for your session you will need to bring a copy of your Mental Health Care Plan to your first appointment.
Private Health InsuranceIf you have private health insurance that includes psychological counselling as extras cover you may be eligible for a partial rebate. It is recommended that you contact your individual insurance provider for further information about your individual coverage.
How do I know if I am eligible for the Medicare rebate?You will need to make an appointment with your GP who will assess whether you are eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan.
What is your fee?My current fee is $235 per appointment each appointment is scheduled for 50 minutes. Please note that the APS recommended fee for 23/24 year is $300 for 46 to 60 mimute session. Clients who attend with a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) will received a Medicare rebate of $141.85 and therefore expect a $93.15 out-of-pocket expense for each appointment. Clients who are on a pension or are low income earners are welcomed to discuss the possibility of a fee reduction, this is assessed on a case by case bases. A cancelation policy is in place and a copy of this will be provided and discused with you at your first appointment. What times are you available? I work on Tuesday Wednesday Thursday each week between the hours of 7:30am and 2 pm. Can I request to see a specific psychologist or does my doctor have to choose?You can request to see who you would like to see. If you are uncomfortable with the psychologist your GP has referred you to or you would like to change due to availability or location reasons talk to your GP about your concerns and ask to see the person of your choice.
What can I expect when I come for my first appointment?Your first appointment is usually spent discussing your concerns that have prompted you to see a psychologist and me gathering information about you. This information about you may be in regards to your family, your social relationships, medical history, lifestyle factors, work history and past counselling experiences. The depth of information you wish to disclosure at this first session is completely up to you I understand it is difficult sometimes when you may be experienced unpleasant thoughts or emotions in regards to what may be troubling you. I will gather information face to face as well as use a number of questionnaires. Based on this information I will hopefully be able to provide feedback towards the end of the session and if time allows discuss with you your thoughts in relation to what you would like to achieve from treatment. Sometimes it can take a few sessions to get a good understanding of each individual client and what to address in treatment. I try to find a sound balance between gathering information and building a trusting relationship where clients feel comfortable. I will also work with you to develop a collaborative and flexible plan for future sessions.
How many sessions do people tend to see a psychologist for? This is largely dependent on the nature of why they are coming in and what it is that they are hoping to get out of sessions. Some issues can be resolved relatively quickly in around 3-6 sessions. However problems that are very entrenched and long standing will require more treatment. Some people come to see a psychologist to develop coping strategies to reduce or manage symptoms of mental illness. This type of work can be short to medium term, but might also involve checking in less frequently over the longer-term to deal with setbacks or prevent relapse. Other people come to therapy to understand long-standing patterns (such as relationship issues) that stem from experiences during their childhood, or to receive ongoing support. This type of work tends to happen over an extended period of time, although again, this is dependent on client preferences. Sometimes people come to therapy for a one off session or just a handful of sessions to speak about a specific issue in their life or to talk through a particular concern. Although problems and challenges are typically what bring people to a psychologist (at least initially), therapy can also be a space for self-development and growth.
What happens when my 10 Medicare sessions run out and I would like to continue therapy?The Better Health Outcomes Initiative has been a wonderful innovation by Medicare Australia however, 10 sessions are generally not enough to fully treat a clinical disorder such as depression or anxiety. In fact research shows that for the effective treatment of anxiety or depression an average of 16-20 sessions is required. Therefore you may need to consider self-funding some more sessions or depending on the time of year wait to access further session in the new calendar year.
Do you work with children?I have worked with young children in the past, particularly those with anxiety disorders. However, it is my belief that individual child therapy without the involvement of parents is relatively ineffective. This is backed by research in the field. Therefore I am happy to work with children if parents are willing to also be highly involved.
Will I have to do any work in between sessions?It is unrealistic to expect that all changes that occur in therapy will happen in a 50 minute time slot. The most effective changes often occur when clients engage in activities outside of sessions to consolidate skills and knowledge. Therefore I will often suggest relevant activities to be attended to out of sessions and will follow up with these when we next meet. In my experience people who throw themselves wholeheartedly into relevant activities do progress more quickly and move towards recovery with more ease.
What are questionnaires for?Sometimes I will administer questionnaires to clients particularly at the beginning of therapy and on completion of therapy. I will provide you with feedback about the meaning of results on these questionnaires. Sometimes this gives me a good indication of how you are progressing and also helps provide feedback to GPs about your progress that is easy to understand and concise.
How does confidentiality work with a psychologist and how is my information kept?All information that you disclose in your session with a psychologist is confidential. There are two exceptions to this rule. The first exception is if you are at risk of harm to yourself or someone else and the second exception is in relation to court orders. If either of these situations becomes relevant I will discuss this with you. Your information is kept in a secure location. Psychologists are expected to keep client records for 7 years. After this time information is usually destroyed or archived.
Do you have outside office hour appointments?I do at times have before and after office hour appointments available however these are very limited.
Can I contact you in an emergency? As I work independently generaly I am not able to provide therapeutic support outside of your appointment time. Therefore in the case of an emergency I recommend calling 000 or attending the emergency department of your local hospital. Other contacts that may be helpful include: Suicide Call Back Service 13000 659 467, Lifeline 13 11 14, MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78, MHCALL 1300 64 22 55, QLife (LGBTI) 1800 184 527, and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800,
Will you write a letter or report for me?It will depend on the circumstances and the length of the letter or report. If it is required by an insurance company or for court charges fees will apply as reports require a number of hours of work to compile. I have outlined costs in my fee structure.
What is the difference between a psychologist, a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist?Psychologists are health professionals who work in a range of areas including clinical, health, neuropsychology, sports, forensic, organisational and community settings. To become a registered psychologist you must undertake an undergraduate degree, an Honours degree and at least two years of supervised training. A clinical psychologist must complete further study such as a masters degree in clinical psychology and undertake a 2 year registrar program.
Psychologists assist people with everyday concerns such as stress and relationship difficulties, substance misuse, and mental health disorders. Psychologists use therapies to help people to develop skills to cope with difficulties and to prevent on-going issues. There are a large number of research studies supporting the effectiveness of psychological therapy.
Psychiatrists have completed a medical degree and further training and study related to the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Psychiatrists specialise in the medical treatment of mental illness and can prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists combine medication with therapy.
What is the difference between a counsellor and a psychologist?Counsellors can come from a broad range of training and backgrounds. Currently in Australia the term counsellor is not protected. This means that anyone can refer to themselves as a counsellor. Having said this many counsellors have undertaken instruction and raining in educational settings, ranging from a Diploma up to a Masters degree. An organisation called the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) has also been set up to protect the standards and ethical training of the counselling profession.
There can be lots of questions that come up when you are trying to make a decision about whether to see a psychologist. If you have a question that has not been answered here, the Australian Psychological Society webpage www.psychology.org.au has further information and if you would like to discuss anything further within an initial session please don't hesitate to get in touch to make an appointment. You can call me on 0418776816 or email: amanda@kindpsychology.com.
Do you receive a Medicare or a private health insurance rebate when you see a psychologist?MedicareIf you have a referral from a GP or a psychiatrist for a Mental Health Care Plan you will be eligible to receive a Medicare rebate of $ 141.85 (for a clinical psychologist) per for 10 sessions a year. To be able to claim the Medicare rebate for your session you will need to bring a copy of your Mental Health Care Plan to your first appointment.
Private Health InsuranceIf you have private health insurance that includes psychological counselling as extras cover you may be eligible for a partial rebate. It is recommended that you contact your individual insurance provider for further information about your individual coverage.
How do I know if I am eligible for the Medicare rebate?You will need to make an appointment with your GP who will assess whether you are eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan.
What is your fee?My current fee is $235 per appointment each appointment is scheduled for 50 minutes. Please note that the APS recommended fee for 23/24 year is $300 for 46 to 60 mimute session. Clients who attend with a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) will received a Medicare rebate of $141.85 and therefore expect a $93.15 out-of-pocket expense for each appointment. Clients who are on a pension or are low income earners are welcomed to discuss the possibility of a fee reduction, this is assessed on a case by case bases. A cancelation policy is in place and a copy of this will be provided and discused with you at your first appointment. What times are you available? I work on Tuesday Wednesday Thursday each week between the hours of 7:30am and 2 pm. Can I request to see a specific psychologist or does my doctor have to choose?You can request to see who you would like to see. If you are uncomfortable with the psychologist your GP has referred you to or you would like to change due to availability or location reasons talk to your GP about your concerns and ask to see the person of your choice.
What can I expect when I come for my first appointment?Your first appointment is usually spent discussing your concerns that have prompted you to see a psychologist and me gathering information about you. This information about you may be in regards to your family, your social relationships, medical history, lifestyle factors, work history and past counselling experiences. The depth of information you wish to disclosure at this first session is completely up to you I understand it is difficult sometimes when you may be experienced unpleasant thoughts or emotions in regards to what may be troubling you. I will gather information face to face as well as use a number of questionnaires. Based on this information I will hopefully be able to provide feedback towards the end of the session and if time allows discuss with you your thoughts in relation to what you would like to achieve from treatment. Sometimes it can take a few sessions to get a good understanding of each individual client and what to address in treatment. I try to find a sound balance between gathering information and building a trusting relationship where clients feel comfortable. I will also work with you to develop a collaborative and flexible plan for future sessions.
How many sessions do people tend to see a psychologist for? This is largely dependent on the nature of why they are coming in and what it is that they are hoping to get out of sessions. Some issues can be resolved relatively quickly in around 3-6 sessions. However problems that are very entrenched and long standing will require more treatment. Some people come to see a psychologist to develop coping strategies to reduce or manage symptoms of mental illness. This type of work can be short to medium term, but might also involve checking in less frequently over the longer-term to deal with setbacks or prevent relapse. Other people come to therapy to understand long-standing patterns (such as relationship issues) that stem from experiences during their childhood, or to receive ongoing support. This type of work tends to happen over an extended period of time, although again, this is dependent on client preferences. Sometimes people come to therapy for a one off session or just a handful of sessions to speak about a specific issue in their life or to talk through a particular concern. Although problems and challenges are typically what bring people to a psychologist (at least initially), therapy can also be a space for self-development and growth.
What happens when my 10 Medicare sessions run out and I would like to continue therapy?The Better Health Outcomes Initiative has been a wonderful innovation by Medicare Australia however, 10 sessions are generally not enough to fully treat a clinical disorder such as depression or anxiety. In fact research shows that for the effective treatment of anxiety or depression an average of 16-20 sessions is required. Therefore you may need to consider self-funding some more sessions or depending on the time of year wait to access further session in the new calendar year.
Do you work with children?I have worked with young children in the past, particularly those with anxiety disorders. However, it is my belief that individual child therapy without the involvement of parents is relatively ineffective. This is backed by research in the field. Therefore I am happy to work with children if parents are willing to also be highly involved.
Will I have to do any work in between sessions?It is unrealistic to expect that all changes that occur in therapy will happen in a 50 minute time slot. The most effective changes often occur when clients engage in activities outside of sessions to consolidate skills and knowledge. Therefore I will often suggest relevant activities to be attended to out of sessions and will follow up with these when we next meet. In my experience people who throw themselves wholeheartedly into relevant activities do progress more quickly and move towards recovery with more ease.
What are questionnaires for?Sometimes I will administer questionnaires to clients particularly at the beginning of therapy and on completion of therapy. I will provide you with feedback about the meaning of results on these questionnaires. Sometimes this gives me a good indication of how you are progressing and also helps provide feedback to GPs about your progress that is easy to understand and concise.
How does confidentiality work with a psychologist and how is my information kept?All information that you disclose in your session with a psychologist is confidential. There are two exceptions to this rule. The first exception is if you are at risk of harm to yourself or someone else and the second exception is in relation to court orders. If either of these situations becomes relevant I will discuss this with you. Your information is kept in a secure location. Psychologists are expected to keep client records for 7 years. After this time information is usually destroyed or archived.
Do you have outside office hour appointments?I do at times have before and after office hour appointments available however these are very limited.
Can I contact you in an emergency? As I work independently generaly I am not able to provide therapeutic support outside of your appointment time. Therefore in the case of an emergency I recommend calling 000 or attending the emergency department of your local hospital. Other contacts that may be helpful include: Suicide Call Back Service 13000 659 467, Lifeline 13 11 14, MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78, MHCALL 1300 64 22 55, QLife (LGBTI) 1800 184 527, and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800,
Will you write a letter or report for me?It will depend on the circumstances and the length of the letter or report. If it is required by an insurance company or for court charges fees will apply as reports require a number of hours of work to compile. I have outlined costs in my fee structure.
What is the difference between a psychologist, a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist?Psychologists are health professionals who work in a range of areas including clinical, health, neuropsychology, sports, forensic, organisational and community settings. To become a registered psychologist you must undertake an undergraduate degree, an Honours degree and at least two years of supervised training. A clinical psychologist must complete further study such as a masters degree in clinical psychology and undertake a 2 year registrar program.
Psychologists assist people with everyday concerns such as stress and relationship difficulties, substance misuse, and mental health disorders. Psychologists use therapies to help people to develop skills to cope with difficulties and to prevent on-going issues. There are a large number of research studies supporting the effectiveness of psychological therapy.
Psychiatrists have completed a medical degree and further training and study related to the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Psychiatrists specialise in the medical treatment of mental illness and can prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists combine medication with therapy.
What is the difference between a counsellor and a psychologist?Counsellors can come from a broad range of training and backgrounds. Currently in Australia the term counsellor is not protected. This means that anyone can refer to themselves as a counsellor. Having said this many counsellors have undertaken instruction and raining in educational settings, ranging from a Diploma up to a Masters degree. An organisation called the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) has also been set up to protect the standards and ethical training of the counselling profession.
There can be lots of questions that come up when you are trying to make a decision about whether to see a psychologist. If you have a question that has not been answered here, the Australian Psychological Society webpage www.psychology.org.au has further information and if you would like to discuss anything further within an initial session please don't hesitate to get in touch to make an appointment. You can call me on 0418776816 or email: amanda@kindpsychology.com.
