FEES & FAQ

How much do sessions cost?

Please contact me for an up-to-date fee schedule.
Payments are due in full on the day of the consultation.

Do I need a referral to see you?

You do not need a referral to attend therapy. You can choose to contact me directly and pay privately. However, you will need to get a Gp referral if you wish to claim a medicare rebate.

Am I eligible for a rebate?

You or your child may be eligible for one of the following plans:

Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)

Medicare rebates are available for psychological treatment for a range of mental health problems. Your General Practitioner, Paediatrician, or Psychiatrist will determine if you or your child is eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan. The plan allows you to claim a Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions in a calendar year. You will be required to visit your gp for a review after completing an initial 6 sessions.

If you do have a Mental Health Care Plan, please bring this to the first session along with your Medicare card. Please note that a rebate is a partial refund and does not cover the full service fee.

Please note: Parent sessions cannot be claimed under their child's Medicare referral.

Private Health Insurance
Medicare rebates are unfortunately not available for most assessments of learning and cognition. However, some counselling & assessment services may be covered by your Private Health Insurance. Rebates will vary depending on your health fund and level of cover. Please consult your insurance provider for further information.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Individuals who are on a self-managed care plan with the NDIS can access psychology services. Rebates are determined by the NDIS and may cover the full or partial cost of the appointment.

Transport Accident Commission (TAC)

The TAC may pay for psychology services when you or a family member has been injured in a transport accident. You will be required to submit a claim with the TAC prior to seeking mental health care support. A list of TAC services and fees can be found here.

Please contact reception on (03) 9500 0455 if you require further information about rebates.

What must I do if I cannot attend my appointment?

Our practice is committed to providing a high level of patient care. As part of this commitment, we have a 24 hour cancellation policy for all appointments. Appointments can be cancelled via phone or email. A late cancellation fee will be incurred for cancellations made within 24 hours and a non-attendance fee will be incurred for patients who fail to attend their appointments. You will be asked to sign a cancellation policy prior to commencing sessions.

How do I arrange an initial consult?

Please get in touch with me on (03) 9500 0455 or by filling out a contact form.

Before we meet in person, the reception staff may give you a call to briefly discuss your reasons for coming to see me, answer any questions you may have, and send out consent forms for you to sign.

What can I expect from the first session?

In the initial session, we will discuss your expectations about the therapy process, identify your goals for treatment, and explore familial and developmental experiences that might provide a broader context to current difficulties.

We will also discuss my policies for working with you, the limits of confidentiality and the ethical code by which I conduct my work. You will also be asked to sign a consent form.

In the case of young children and adolescents (under the age of 18 years), we will arrange an initial parent-only consult to give you the opportunity to share your concerns and discuss the role you might play in the therapy. Parents are given the opportunity to communicate with me as needed throughout the counselling process.

How frequently should I attend therapy?

While each person is different, I often encourage my clients to commit to weekly or fortnightly sessions, at least initially. This ensures continuity, reinforces and consolidates learning, and sustains the therapeutic relationship, which is integral to facilitating growth and open communication. We may space out sessions as symptoms decrease and you or your child begin to feel more confident.

How long will I need to be in therapy?

The length of therapy will differ for each client. If you or your child has been dealing with a range of difficulties for an extended period, they may take longer to manage.

We will spend the first few sessions getting to know one another, discussing presenting concerns, and exploring your personal history. This is to ensure that I have an accurate assessment of the issues at hand prior to commencing treatment. As sessions continue, we might examine weekly concerns, as well as relational, behavioural or thought patterns affecting well-being.

Some clients choose to attend regular therapy, as this becomes an integral aspect of maintaining and nurturing their well-being, while others may only attend for a protracted period.

We will assess and evaluate progress periodically. If you are feeling heard and respected in therapy, have gained further insight into your difficulties, and are starting to see some improvements, then we are on the right track!

Who do I contact in a crisis?

Please note that our phone and emails are only monitored during business hours. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, please visit your local GP or Emergency Department. You can access a list of crisis and support numbers here.