What usually happens at my first appointment?
Your first face to face consultation will usually involve your psychologist developing an understanding of what is troubling you. We are interested in those aspects of your thinking, behaviour, emotions and relationships which are creating difficulties for you, how these underlying difficulties have developed and how you have attempted to manage these up until now. The forms completed will assist with putting the puzzle together. Together we will establish goals that you would like to meet and through a two-way interaction and overtime work with you to understand how you can overcome these issues.
This may involve such things as keeping a record of your difficulties or practising newly acquired skills in everyday situations or reading or listening to new material. If you find this difficult, that's okay, Like any learning process, progress might be challenging, but you will be supported to face any difficulties you may be experiencing. Research shows that individuals who commit regularly to treatment and practice strategies experience the most benefit.
Of course, sometimes clients just need someone outside of their family, friends or colleagues to be an expert, non-judgemental sounding board. However it all depends what is most important to you and if truly committed to the therapeutic process it literally can change the way you see yourself, others and the world.
I’m worried as I have not seen a Psychologist before?
Like many people, you may not have seen a counsellor or Psychologist before and it’s only natural to feel anxious about booking the first appointment. Since 2012 we have been providing psychological services to Sunshine Coast teenagers, adults and their family members within a compassionate and non-judgemental professional space.
We emphasise a practical, problem-solving approach to treatment in which we aim to teach you skills you may not have had the chance to learn before. We help you realise that you are not alone and that your feelings and thoughts are not uncommon. Most people require the help of counselling at some point in their lives and we provide the tools to become unstuck, be happier and more connected to other human beings.
How can I make an Appointment?
Please telephone 07 5444 6568 to make an appointment. Alternatively, you may email us on info@mindandwellbeing.com to book an appointment and one of our staff will be in contact with you shortly.
What forms do I bring to my appointment?
Once you have contacted our psychology clinic you will be emailed some online forms to complete before your first session. All online forms must be completed few days before your first appointment to ensure we have all the administration work completed before your appointment and to help you and your psychologist understand the nature of your difficulties and how to best help you. If you do not have ability to complete online forms you will be required to attend your first appointment 30 minutes earlier, so you can complete the forms before you sit down with your psychologist. This will save valuable time at the first initial consultation. If you have trouble with completing the forms that's okay your psychologist will support you with this.
What else do I bring to my appointment?
For your initial consultation please make sure you bring your 1) Medicare card and 2) a copy of the Doctors' referral letter and the 2) Mental Health Care Treatment Plan or Mental Health Care Treatment Review and / or ask your GP to forward the referral letter and mental health care treatment plan to our clinic (info@mindandwellbeing.com) before your first appointment. The plan is not required if you are referred by a third party who is paying or you are using your Private Health Insurance. Otherwise you will be responsible for total cost of the appointment.
How do I make a payment?
To avoid transaction fees, we prefer payment prior to your appointments via PayID. While using online banking, simply choose to pay via PayID. Our PayID details are info@mindandwellbeing.com. Due to the fees charged by the Eftpos providers, a surcharge applies to EFTPOS payments including Credit Card, Visa and Mastercard. Electronic funds transfer and cash payments do not attract transaction fees. If you bring cash you will need to bring the exact amount as we do not hold any cash on the premises. Your rebate can be processed on the spot, if you have a mental health care plan or private health insurance.
What is the standard fee as recommended by the Australian Psychological Society?
The standard fee as recommended by the Australian Psychological Society is $300.00 per consultation; however, we charge much less than this.
How much does it cost?
Please ask the reception about our current fee structure to determine your out of pocket expense. If you have a Medicare Mental Health Care Treatment Plan from your Doctor our fees (as of 1st July 2022) are as follows:
Clinical Psychologist: $220.00 per session which means you receive a rebate of $137.05 so your out of pocket expense is $82.95.
The full payment needs to be made on the day and we will rebate you immediately, which may take two (2) hours or until the next business day depending on your bank.
Is there a psychologist available after hours?
After hours appointments (7 am, 8 am and after 4 pm) are available upon request. Saturday appointments are not available at this stage. If you have a Medicare Mental Health Care Treatment Plan from your Doctor our fees (as of 1st July 2022) for after hours appointments are as follows:
Clinical Psychologist: $240.00 per session which means you receive a rebate of $137.05 so your out of pocket expense is $102.95
The full payment needs to be made on the day and we will rebate you immediately, which may take two (2) hours or until the next business day depending on your bank.
How much do I get back with a Medicare Mental Health Care Plan Rebate?
If your GP deems you are eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan you will receive a rebate amounts provided above . Please allow five minutes, if you are obtaining the Medicare rebate under a Mental Health Care Plan. This will be processed by the treating psychologist at the beginning or the end of the session. If your costs are being paid by a third party you need a clear agreement and approval beforehand.
How do I get more sessions?
Under the Medicare initiative you will be required to go and see your GP after the sixth session for a review and another 4 or 6 sessions are generally approved at the discretion of your GP.
Under Medicare you are eligible for 10 sessions per calendar year (e.g., between the 1st of January 2023 and the 31st of December 2023). Remember, you can use your private health care insurance or pay privately for further sessions or use this method independent of a mental health care plan.
What is the Cancellation Policy and will I be charged for late cancellations?
You will be explained the cancellation policy when you book your first appointment and when you first meet with your psychologist. If your appointment is cancelled with less than 48 business hours’ notice you will incur a 50% session fee. If you do not attend an appointment (“no show”) or an appointment is cancelled with less than 24 business hours’ notice you will incur a 100% session fee. As a courtesy you will receive a SMS reminder with the date and time of your appointment 48 hours beforehand. It is best to make sure you are clear about your appointment date and time ahead of time as that appointment has been set aside just for you.
Cancellation fees may be waived if the reason for cancelling is out of your control i.e., sudden illness or an unexpected personal emergency. Please contact us as soon as possible to explain the situation if you need to cancel/reschedule within more than 48 business hours to avoid cancellation fee. Please note that Medicare rebates are not available for cancelled appointments and third-party payers usually require clients to be responsible for any cancellation fees.
Late cancellations make it unnecessarily difficult to accommodate other patients who urgently need to see a psychologist as the psychologist is left waiting when they could of attended to the care of another patient. Our cancellation policy is based on the same rationale as a airline in that you pay for your seat whether you arrive at the airport or not. Given that the time has been set aside for you, if you do not use it, then it is unlikely at short notice it can be used by anyone else. We trust you will agree that this is a fair and reasonable policy and we thank you for your understanding.
Can I use my Private Health Care Cover?
If you have Private Health Care Insurance enquire with your health insurer about your entitlements for our psychological services. Many private health care companies cover psychology services under their extras policy. We use HICAPS which has access to a number of private insurance organisations. We provide you with on the spot efficient and easy processing of your private health fund claims.
Can I use my Private Health Care Cover and Medicare at the same time?
Medicare Rebates and Private Health Care cover cannot be claimed at the same time. However, Private Health Care cover may be used, say, instead of a GP Mental Health Care Treatment Plan or when therapy extends beyond the twenty Medicare rebated sessions. Contact your private health fund to find out your entitlements.
Can I book directly with A psychologist without seeing a GP or having a mental health care plan?
Yes, you can see your psychologist privately however you will have to pay the full fee and no rebate will be provided. You can also use private health care cover without seeing your GP.
Can I go directly to a psychologist to receive treatment through Medicare?
You must be referred by your GP or your psychiatrist. Your Doctor will need to complete a detailed mental health assessment and complete a Mental Health Treatment Plan before referring you to a psychologist for your initial consultation for you to claim the rebate of $80.35 per session for a registered psychologist and $137.05 per session for a clinical psychologist.
Does the Medicare Safety Net apply to client out-of-pocket expenses under THE Medicare Mental Health Care TREATMENT Plan?
Yes if you have mental health treatment plan and are paying in excess of the Medicare benefit for the items under this initiative. These out of pocket expenses will count towards your Medicare Safety Net.
Can I speak to my psychologist during a crisis?
Your Psychologist is NOT able to offer a crisis or immediate response service. In an Emergency Dial 000, Lifeline 13 11 14 or the Acute Care Mental Health Team on 1300 767 155 or 5456900 (24 hours). We can only work with clients within a scheduled appointment times and are unable to provide treatment or therapy by text message or email or telephone.
What do you not treat or provide services for?
We do not treat or provide services for DVA, Couples, Autistic Spectrum Conditions nor do we provide Written Assessments such as Court Reports or Intelligent Testing, no Work Cover, nor do we see people under Insurance Companies such as Transport Accident Commission (TAC).
What training does a Clinical Psychologist have?
A qualified Clinical Psychologist has either a Masters or a Doctoral degree and receives one of the highest levels of education of all health care professionals, spending an average of eight years in education and training specifically in psychology. First they do an accredited undergraduate degree in psychology and then either a two-year Master’s degree or a three-year Doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Following their university training they then undertake registrar training for up to two years, overseen by the Psychology Board of Australia to gain endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist. In Australia psychology is a regulated health profession under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency in partnership with the Psychology Board of Australia.
What if I wish to learn more about a specific psychologist training or psychologist qualifications where do I go?
Search the Register of Practitioners by the psychologist’s name, state and the psychology profession, click on "view details" to examine their qualifications and to determine if they are endorsed as a Psychologist.
What are my Rights?
Before people can work as Psychologists they must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA). Our Psychologists are Members of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) which is the largest professional association of psychologists in Australia, which includes a comprehensive Code of Ethics and complementary series of Ethical Guidelines. In addition, our Clinical Psychologists are Members of the APS Clinical College.
As a client of an APS Psychologist, you have a right to expect that
• You will be treated with respect
• You will receive a clear explanation of the service you will receive
• Your consent for any service will be sought by the psychologist prior to the service commencing as it progresses
• You will receive an explanation about the nature and limits of confidentiality surrounding the service
• You will be clear about the goals that you and the psychologist are working toward
• You will receive competent and professional service
• You will receive a clear statement about fees
• An estimate of the number of sessions required to achieve your goals will be discussed
• You will receive a service free from sexual harassment
• You will be shown respect for your cultural background, language tradition
What Ethics, Confidentiality and Standards are a Psychologist bound by?
All information and records are kept strictly confidential in accordance with the National Privacy Principles of the Privacy Amendment Act 2000. We will not normally release any information about you unless you provide us with signed consent to do so. However, there are some potential exceptions to this rule:
If you were referred to us by a doctor or other health professional, we will send a brief letter to the person making the referral so they are informed, this is required under GP Mental Health Care Treatment Plan with Medicare.
If you are involved in a court case and we are subpoenaed by a court, we would not be allowed to withhold from the court any information you have given us.
If there is an overriding legal obligation to do so, we may disclose information to the relevant authorities about a patient’s serious criminal acts that place another person at risk of harm.
If you disclose that you seriously intend to harm yourself or place someone else at risk of harm or harm someone else or seriously threaten to take your life we are obliged to notify potential helpers or victims.
If you are legally a minor (under 18 yrs) we are not normally obliged to give details of our discussions to your parent(s) or guardian(s). Psychologists are bound by strict professional requirements to maintain a certain code of conduct. These include, but are not limited by the Australian Health Practitioner and the Regulation Agency (Psychology Board of Australia), Australian Psychology Society (APS) Code of Ethics and APS Ethical Standards and National Privacy Principles.
WhICH PRIVATE HEALTH FUNDS DO YOU ACCEPT?
Mind and Wellbeing Psychology accepts the following Private Heath Funds and Private Health Insurance Brands, processed via HICAPS:
ACA, Health Benefits Fund, AHM Health Insurance, Australian Defence Force Family Health, Apia Health Insurance, Australian Unity Health Ltd, Budget Direct, Bupa Australia, CBHS Health Fund Limited, CBHS Corporate Health Limited, CUA Health Limited, Defence Health Limited, Emergency Services Health, Frank Health insurance, GMHBA Limited, Grand United Health, HBF Health Limited, HCF, Health Care Insurance Ltd, Health Insurance Fund of Australia Ltd (HIF), Health Partners, Health.com.au, La Trobe Health Services, Medibank Private Ltd, Mildura Health Fund, MyOwn Health Fund, National Health Benefits Australia Pty Ltd (onemedifund), Navy Health Limited, NIB Health Funds Ltd, Nurses & Midwives Health, Peoplecare Health Insurance, Phoenix Health Fund Ltd, Police Health, Qantas Assure Health Insurance, Queensland Country Health Fund Ltd, Railway and Transport Health Fund Ltd, Reserve Bank Health Society Limited, St Lukes Health, The Doctors’ Health Fund, Teachers Health Fund, Transport Health Pty Ltd, TUH, Uni Health, Westfund Ltd.