FAQs
Your questions answeredA clinical psychologist is a professional who diagnoses and treats mental illnesses. I also provide in-depth therapy to enable understanding of yourself and your emotional functioning through psychoanalytically-oriented therapy. Attendance is usually 1-2 times per week for as long as is required. You are welcome to call me to discuss this. Please also see my ‘Treatment Areas’ page for further information.
Are My Sessions Confidential?
Yes, absolutely. Your record is not accessible online, and I’m the only person within the clinic who has access to your files. Your consultations are not recorded to your online ‘My Health Record‘.
I also don’t send or accept social media requests from patients and their families – ensuring that our interactions remain private and professional at all times.
What are the times when my information must be disclosed?
There are some. Under jurisdiction, I have to tell the relevant authorities if:
- I receive information about child abuse, neglect or abandonment;
- I receive information about a major criminal act or an intent to commit one;
- I receive information about an intent to harm oneself or another person;
- I am subpoenaed to an Australian Court to give evidence or to provide a clinical record.
I might also have to contact another mental health support service if a client is deemed sufficiently unwell to require an immediate assessment for possible hospital admission.
As a part of my professional registration, I am required to discuss my clinical work with a colleague on a regular basis. Patient names are not used to ensure privacy. Attendance at psychotherapy with me is on the understanding that I may be required to obtain a second opinion about the work we undertake as a part of such supervision. You are welcome to ask any questions about this requirement.
What is a Mental Health Care Plan? Do You Accept NDIS Patients?
A Mental Health Care Plan can be obtained from your GP or psychiatrist, along with a letter of referral, to enable you to receive a rebate of $145.25 on your consultation fee (unless you have reached your ‘safety net’ in which case the rebate is higher). A summary of all initial assessments and progress throughout your treatment will be sent to your GP, as required by Medicare legislation.
Medicare provides a rebate to a maximum of ten sessions per calendar year. Many people require treatment that exceeds ten appointments. If you have private health insurance, you may wish to check whether clinical psychology is included in your ‘extras’ policy.
A $115 non-refundable booking fee is required to secure your first appointment. This will be deducted from your first consultation fee. All fees are payable on the day. This is not a bulk-billing practice. Please telephone the clinic receptionist to obtain information about the current consultation fees.
Yes, I accept NDIS funded patients. If you wish to consult me, it is important that you call the clinic first to discuss the nature of your NDIS funding and for what psychological issues are included in your capacity building plan. I am unable to accept referrals where the NDIS funding is for an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder, as these are not specialty areas of mine.
Important Information Before An Appointment?
If it’s your first appointment with me, please make sure you bring your GP referral letter and Mental Health Care Plan if it has not already been sent to me via confidential fax. If you wish to pay privately, you will be asked to provide valid photo I.D. at your initial assessment.
All appointments are 50 minutes long and you’ll receive a reminder text message two days before.
An appointment cancellation must be made before 12:00 noon the day prior to your appointment (12:00 noon Saturday for a Monday appointment)
The full fee will be charged for any appointments not cancelled by this time or not attended.
Who Can I Call in an Emergency?
If you are facing an emergency, call ‘000‘ straight away. You will be asked “Police, Fire or Ambulance”
Other important phone numbers include:
- Lifeline (24 hours): 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue (24 hours): 1300 224 636
- PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia): 1300 726 306
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Other Resources
Beyond Blue
SANE Australia
Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA)
Australian Association for Infant Mental Health (AAIMHI)
SMS4dads
Parenting Research Centre