Appointment and Fees
Appointment Times
Now we are getting to the nuts and bolts of the process! The following are some points you may want to know in relation to the counselling process:
Short Term Therapy:
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy may be short or long term depending on your needs and to what extent you would like to transform your life and be supported along the way.
Longer Term Therapy:
On occasion, some clients required longer term support. In the main, you would be allocated a regular 55-minute time that is mutually suitable.
This time will be allocated at a frequency that meets your current needs.
Couples sessions are generally 55-85 minutes in duration.
If a client is late, it is generally not possible to extend the time for the consultation. There will always be times when changes need to be made due to extenuating circumstances for either the client or me. If you are not able to make your scheduled appointment, where possible, I will endeavour to find another time. Please be aware, however, that I have a full caseload and this may not always be possible.
Cancellations
At least 24 hours should be given, or a cancellation fee will be charged.
Non-attendance or cancellation on the day will incur a one hour consultation fee.
Additional Services Available
On occasion, support between sessions is available by sms or email if you are unable to manage a given situation independently. This service is based on a strong therapeutic relationship that values mutual respect. These methods, however, are NOT to be used in times of crisis.
At a time of crisis you can contact a family member or another support person, Lifeline (13 11 14) or the Crisis Assessment Team for Psychiatric triage information, assessment and referral. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Telephone: 1300 363 746 to ensure immediate attention is received.
Sessional Fees, Accounts and Payments
For Individuals, standard 55-minute consultations are $270 per session. On occasion, an extended 85-minute consultation, at $410 per session, may be required. Double 110-minute consultations are $540 per session.
For Couples, standard 55-minute consultations are $270 per session. Often extended 85-minute consultations are required at $410 per session. Double 110-minute consultations are $540 per session.
As a guide, the Australian Psychological Society (APS) recommended fees are currently $300 for 45 to 60-minute sessions.
For Supervision, standard 55-minute consultations are $210+GST per session.
Pay by bank transfer or by credit card online
All accounts must be settled at the time of the consultation and payment can be made by bank transfer or credit card.
You can pay by bank transfer to my bank account using the details that will be provided on your invoice to save on fees.
Fees will apply to credit card payments to help offset the cost of providing this service.
Medicare Rebate
Medicare rebates are available for psychological treatment by registered psychologists under the Australian Government’s Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative.
To access mental health treatment under Medicare you must be referred by your GP, a psychiatrist or a paediatrician. If a GP is the referring practitioner he or she will need to prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan before referring you to a psychologist.
To receive Medicare rebates you must provide to me the referral letter and ideally, a copy of your Mental Health Treatment Plan from the referring GP. If referred by a psychiatrist or paediatrician then only the referral letter is to be provided.
How many sessions with a psychologist am I entitled to?
Under the Better Access initiative, eligible clients can receive up to 10 individual sessions in a calendar year (1 January to 31 December).
Your referring GP will assess your progress after the first six sessions and determine whether further sessions are needed.
After six sessions you must visit your GP for a re-referral letter in order to receive another set of sessions under the Medicare rebate scheme.
Make sure you ask for a re-referral letter NOT a review because Medicare will only enable a GP review to be made three months after the initial referral date of your GPMHTP. This means you would not be covered by Medicare for sessions 7-10 if they take place within the first three months of seeing me.
Without your referral or re-referral letter I cannot enable a Medicare rebate so please keep on top of this if you would like to receive Medicare rebates for your sessions.
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.
Refer to the Australian Psychological Society (APS) website for more information: