Frequently Asked Questions
About Therapy & Assessments
During your first session, we’ll get to know each other, discuss your reasons for seeking support, and collaboratively set goals. This session helps build rapport and sets the foundation for future work.
A psychological assessment is a comprehensive process designed to better understand an individual’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioural strengths and challenges. It typically involves several components, including:
An initial intake interview to gather background information and understand your concerns (either in-person or via Telehealth)
Formal face-to-face testing sessions using standardised tools to assess areas such as learning, attention, memory, and emotional functioning
Behavioural observations during testing, and sometimes in natural settings like school, to provide additional insight into how the individual interacts, engages, and responds
Questionnaires or rating scales completed by parents, teachers, or the individual (depending on age)
A feedback session where results and any potential diagnoses are explained in clear language, and recommendations are discussed
For children, we prioritise making the assessment experience as comfortable and positive as possible. This includes creating a friendly and welcoming environment, using age-appropriate language and breaks as needed, and incorporating engaging and varied activities throughout the session to maintain interest and reduce stress.
The full assessment process usually takes one or two sessions of direct testing (ranging from 2 - 4 hours per session), plus additional time for interviews, observations, and report writing. The completed report is typically delivered within 3 to 4 weeks after testing, depending on the complexity of the assessment and scheduling. We’ll keep you informed of progress throughout.
We aim to make the process comfortable and supportive, providing you with clear information and practical next steps.
The length of therapy varies depending on your individual needs, goals, and the issues being addressed. Some clients find a few sessions helpful for short-term support, while others may benefit from ongoing therapy over several months or longer.
Typically, sessions are scheduled weekly or fortnightly and last about 50 minutes. Together, we’ll regularly review your progress and adjust the frequency or duration as needed to best support you.
The relationship between you and your psychologist is the most important factor in successful therapy - research consistently shows that feeling understood and connected greatly influences positive outcomes. We completely understand how crucial it is to find someone who feels like the right fit for you.
To support this, we offer a free initial 15-minute consultation. This session provides a relaxed opportunity to meet, see if we connect, and explore your needs before committing to ongoing therapy.
If at any point you feel therapy isn’t working for you, please let us know. We can adjust the approach, try different strategies, or we can help you find another professional who might better suit your preferences. Your comfort and trust are my top priorities.
Yes. When working with children and adolescents who have a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), it is possible to have occasional sessions that include family members or carers. These sessions help to discuss the child’s needs, progress, and ways to support them effectively. Family involvement is always tailored to the client’s preferences and best interests, ensuring confidentiality and comfort for all involved.
You can choose to stop therapy at any time. It’s helpful to discuss this decision during a session so we can review your progress and plan for ongoing support if needed. Ending therapy is your choice, and we’ll support you to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Appointments & Booking
You can easily book a session by using our online booking system available on the website. Simply select the service you need, choose a convenient date and time, and complete your booking.
If you prefer, you can also contact us directly by phone or email to arrange an appointment or ask any questions.
We offer both in-person and telehealth sessions to suit your needs.
We understand that life can be unpredictable, and sometimes you may need to change your appointment. Please notify us at least 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule to avoid any cancellation fees. This allows us to offer the appointment time to another client.
If you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice, a cancellation fee of 50% of the scheduled session fee will apply. In the case of a no-show (missed appointment without any notice), the full session fee will be charged.
We appreciate your understanding and will always do our best to accommodate genuine emergencies or unexpected situations.
Payments & Insurance
A Mental Health Care Plan is a document your GP creates to help you access Medicare rebates for psychological services. It outlines your mental health needs and allows you to receive up to 10 subsidised therapy sessions per calendar year with a registered psychologist.
To get a Mental Health Care Plan, book an appointment with your GP and discuss your mental health concerns. If your GP agrees, they will prepare the plan and refer you to a psychologist. You can then provide this plan when booking your sessions to claim Medicare rebates.
After your session, you will pay the full fee upfront. We can then process the Medicare rebate claim on your behalf, and once approved, you will receive the reimbursement directly.
Alternatively, you can choose to submit the receipt yourself through your MyGov account, at a Medicare Service Centre, or via the Medicare Express Plus app.
To be eligible for rebates, you will need a valid Mental Health Care Plan and referral from your GP, allowing for up to 10 subsidised sessions per calendar year.
Many private health insurance providers offer rebates for psychological therapy sessions under their extras or allied health coverage. The amount you can claim varies depending on your policy and provider.
To use your private health insurance, you will typically need to pay for the session upfront and then submit a claim to your insurer with the receipt we provide.
If you're uncertain, please contact your insurance provider for further information.
Yes, self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants can use their NDIS funding to access services with us. However, unfortunately, NDIA-managed or agency-managed clients cannot use their funding to access our services at this time.
Privacy & Confidentiality
Confidentiality means that the information you share during therapy or consultations is kept private and secure. Your personal details and what you discuss will not be shared with others without your permission, except in specific situations required by law (such as if there is a risk of harm to yourself or others, or on subpoena).
We do take notes during sessions to help track your progress and provide the best care possible. These notes are stored securely and treated with the same level of confidentiality as everything else discussed. You have the right to access your records, and we can explain how this works if you’re interested.
Yes, we use NovoNote, an AI-powered scribing tool, to help accurately and efficiently capture session notes. This allows us to focus fully on our time together while ensuring detailed and accurate records.
Using NovoNote is completely optional. You are welcome to opt out at any time with no impact on the quality of your treatment or care.
All notes created with NovoNote are stored securely and handled with strict confidentiality, in line with privacy regulations.
We take your privacy seriously. All client information and records are stored securely and handled in accordance with privacy laws and our Privacy Policy. You can view our full Privacy Policy on our website or request a copy at any time.
Community Engagement & Safety
We've delivered a variety of student-focused programs and staff professional development, including:
Leadership skills and school camp preparation
Diversity, respect, and inclusion
Building resilience and learning from mistakes
Friendship and social skills development
Critical thinking and problem-solving
Bullying prevention and intervention
For staff, we have delivered professional development on ADHD, autism, anxiety, and trauma to help educators better understand and support their students.
During our sessions, if you share that you’re experiencing an urgent crisis or are at risk of harm, we will work with you to create a safety plan and provide immediate support.
However, outside of scheduled appointments, please seek immediate help by contacting emergency services (000), visiting the nearest hospital emergency department, or calling crisis helplines such as Lifeline (13 11 14) or Beyond Blue (1300 224 636). A full list of services available is on our Contact Hub page.
Still not sure? We'd love to hear from you
If you have questions that aren’t answered here or want to discuss your individual needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you find the support that’s right for you.