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Finding the right therapist is crucial to your therapeutic journey. At PsychologyCare, our intake process is meticulously designed to ensure you are paired with a psychologist who perfectly matches your needs.
Our Practice Manager, Anna, is an expert in understanding the strengths and therapeutic approaches of our diverse team of therapists. She is dedicated to making your experience as smooth and comfortable as possible.
We recommend scheduling a 15-minute intake appointment with Anna. During this session, we’ll get to know you better, understand your reasons for seeking support, and discuss your preferences. This personalized approach allows us to suggest the most suitable therapist for your unique needs, ensuring you receive the best possible care.
No – you can make an appointment with our therapists without a referral from your GP or a psychiatrist. However, if you would like to claim a rebate through Medicare you will need a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) & Referral letter from your GP or Psychiatrist.
A Mental Health Treatment Plan or MHTP (previously known as a Mental Health Care plan) is part of the Australian Government’s Better Access initiative to ensure we all have access to professional mental health care at affordable rates.
A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is a support plan developed between an individual and their doctor (General Practitioner or GP) in Australia. It outlines the treatment and support that a person needs to manage their mental health condition. Key aspects of a Mental Health Care Plan include:
Assessment: The GP assesses the patient’s mental health condition and discusses suitable treatment options.
Treatment Goals: Together with the patient, the GP sets specific goals for treatment and outlines the steps to achieve them.
Referrals: The plan may include referrals to other healthcare professionals, such as psychologists, social workers, or counselors, who can provide specialized mental health care.
Medicare Rebates: A Mental Health Care Plan enables individuals to receive Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions per calendar year with a psychologist or other eligible mental health professionals.
Review: The plan is periodically reviewed by the GP to assess progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment approach.
A Mental Health Care Plan is beneficial for individuals experiencing mental health challenges as it provides structured support and access to subsidized mental health services under Medicare in Australia.
A referral and a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) are both important aspects of accessing mental health services in Australia, but they serve different purposes:
Referral:
Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP):
In essence, while a referral directs patients to appropriate mental health services, a Mental Health Care Plan is a formal document that outlines treatment goals and allows for subsidized sessions under Medicare.
First of all, all of us wish we could offer this service for free, and one of our most difficult personal ethical quandaries being a psychologist is charging for our services. I think this says a lot about our profession as our caring often comes first.
However, charging no fee is not realistic, but here at PsychologyCare our fees are reasonable and in line with industry standards.
The amount you are out of pocket varies depending on your situation. Most people are eligible for up 10 concessional (rebated) sessions via a Mental Health Care Plan (referral from GP).
Please refer to here to see our current fee listing.
Finally, some may have private health insurance, with mental health services as an “extra.” If this is the case please contact your insurance provider and they will likely be able to further reduce any out-of-pockets expenses.
For more information on our fees give us a call on 03 9088 1122.
Most consultations are between 50-60 minutes in duration. However, some psychologists like to extend their first appointment to 90+mins in order to do a thorough assessment. You will be informed ahead of time if this is the case.
Yes. We offer appointments from 8am-8pm Monday-Friday and also have a few appointments available on the weekend. Contact us to find out which practitioners offer after hours appointments.
Absolutely. Before COVID-19 most psychologists would never have dreamed of seeing clients over telehealth, but since COVID-19 we have all become quite adept at this method, and in actual fact the results do not suggest much difference between in-person vs telehealth. We offer this for the convenience of our clients, but still do prefer in-person if possible.
First and foremost a welcoming and safe space. Our top priority is “healing through relating.” This means a psychologist will seek to connect with you, and understand the problems you experience in a profound way. We believe that “what went wrong must go right” and this means that what went wrong in your early relationships, needs to go right within the therapeutic relationship. Sometimes, this will mean you experience deep empathy and compassion, at other times you will feel understood and heard like never before, and at other times you will feel both challenged and seen. If we achieve this on a consistent basis we hope to provide a corrective emotional experience for you, which will enhance all the relationships in your life, including and most importantly with your self
This is a difficult question to answer. It depends on your particular circumstances. Some people have experienced significant trauma, neglect, abuse and/or loss in their lives. To expect, quick recovery from this would be to invalidate the reality of their experience, and to ignore the impact on their personhood. If there has been a significant history of difficult experiences and consequently struggles with mental health, the approach to therapy will likely start slowly and carefully with a clear understanding change will take time. This does not mean progress will not be made, it just means transformative change will take time.
For others, where there is not a significant history of complex relationships and trauma, it is likely improvements can happen in a shorter period of time, but this does not depend just on the therapist but also on the motivation of the client. It is important to attend sessions regularly and to ask yourself regularly whether your will is on board, and whether you are ready to face what you have been avoiding, go through the pain and thus change your life positively.
Navigating the landscape of mental health professionals can be daunting due to the variety of therapists available and their different specialties. Psychotherapists, psychologists, counselors, and social workers each bring unique approaches and expertise to therapy. What matters most in finding the right therapist is establishing a comfortable and aligned therapeutic relationship. Feeling understood, respected, and supported by your therapist is crucial for effective treatment. Take time to assess if your therapist’s style and methods resonate with your needs and preferences. This connection enhances your ability to engage openly in therapy and increases the likelihood of positive outcomes. Ultimately, the therapist-client fit can significantly influence the success of your mental health journey.
A therapist is a licensed mental health professional who specializes in providing therapy to individuals, couples, or groups to address emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues. They offer a supportive and confidential environment where clients can explore their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Therapists employ various therapeutic techniques tailored to each client’s needs, aiming to improve mental well-being and foster personal growth
A psychologist is a highly trained mental health professional who specializes in understanding human behavior, emotions, and mental processes. They use evidence-based strategies and therapies to help individuals overcome challenges, manage mental health conditions, and improve their overall well-being.
To become a psychologist in Australia, the process involves several steps:
A Clinical Psychologist is a psychologist who has completed extensive specialized training, including a two-year Clinical Psychology Registrar Program, following a six- to seven-year academic pathway to earn at least a Master of Clinical Psychology. They are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and hold an endorsement as a “Clinical Psychologist.”
Clinical Psychologists receive comprehensive education and training to assess, diagnose, and treat various mental health conditions. While they address similar issues as general psychologists, their advanced training equips them to handle more complex psychological disorders and mental health challenges.
A clinical psychology registrar is a psychologist undergoing supervised practice as part of a specialized training program to gain endorsement in clinical psychology. After completing an accredited Master’s or Doctorate program, the psychologist enters the registrar program, which typically lasts two years. This program involves:
Successful completion of the registrar program leads to formal endorsement by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a Clinical Psychologist, allowing the individual to practice independently in this specialized area of psychology [1] [2] [3].
Psychotherapists draw on numerous modalities, such as Person-centred approach, Somatic psychotherapy, Jungian analysis, Psychodynamic, Gestalt, Existential or Schema therapy. For information on the different approaches, we encourage you to explore Good Therapy’s Types of Therapy overview.
A skilled psychotherapist will engage their clients in meaningful practice that rewards their curiosity and enriches their understanding of self, others, and the world they inhabit. Underlying this vital work is years of in-depth training in psychotherapy, developmental, social, and relational theory.
All practitioners offering psychotherapy are required to have studied specialist units or courses. All psychotherapists at PsychologyCare, are registered with the appropriate professional body in their field. The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia requires their member practitioners to:
A Mental Health Social Worker is a specialized professional who holds expertise in assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health issues within a social context. They provide crucial support through various psychological interventions aimed at improving the well-being of individuals dealing with mental health challenges. These interventions may include counseling, therapy sessions, crisis intervention, and community outreach to address broader social factors affecting mental health.
At PsychologyCare, all Mental Health Social Workers are Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs). This accreditation signifies that they have completed advanced education in social work, including a master’s degree, and have undergone supervised practice to develop specialized skills [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
PsychologyCare prioritizes ethical practice by placing the consistency and security of the therapist-client relationship at the core of its policies. The practice emphasizes that healing occurs within the therapeutic relationship, regardless of therapy type, aligning with the belief that what was damaged in a relationship must be healed in a relationship. To ensure this healing environment, PsychologyCare guarantees clients a consistent appointment time, which differs from many practices where appointment times can vary widely. This consistency aims to enhance therapeutic outcomes by allowing therapists to build rapport effectively and sustainably. Clients are asked to commit to weekly sessions initially, believing that regularity fosters the most significant therapeutic progress. After an initial six-week period, clients can discuss with their therapist whether to adjust the frequency of sessions to fortnightly or monthly.
