Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FEES & REBATES

  • Standard Fees (as at 1 July 2024)

Consultation with Registered Psychologist (50 mins): $250

Consultation with Clinical/Senior or Principal Psychologist (50 mins): $275

Couples or Family Therapy: $320

Student/Low-Income Discount: $210

Reports & Letters: $315 per hour

For further details and rebates visit mindhealth.com.au/fees or call 1300 084 200.

Mind Health is not a bulk-billing practice.

However, each of our clinicians offer a limited quota of bulk-billing sessions to pensioners and health care card recipients upon their discretion.

Note: A GP referral letter and Mental Health Care Plan is required to be eligible for up to 10 bulk-billed sessions per calendar year.

Yes, if you are eligible for treatment under a GP Mental Health Care Plan you can receive a portion of the consultation fee back from Medicare.

Under a Care Plan, you can currently claim up to 10 individual visits. See mindhealth.com.au/fees for our current fees and rebates.

Yes. Depending on your eligibility, we offer on-the-spot rebates for psychology consultations, couples and family therapy from most Private Health Funds. However, we recommend you first check your level of cover with your health fund provider.

If you are eligible, rebates for Medicare and most private health insurers can be paid directly into your bank account at the conclusion of your session.

SESSIONS

Every person has a different journey through therapy. This is largely dependent on the nature of why they are coming in and what it is that they are hoping to get out of sessions.

Most people do not need a large number of consultations.  The average is 6-8 sessions. 

Generally the change process begins in the first session, and clients often see improvements after the third or fourth visit.

Sessions may include goal setting, discussion, psychoeducation, testing, counselling, therapy, and skills training e.g. problem solving, mindfulness and communication training.  Clients who complete their given “homework” tasks between visits often see results sooner and require fewer sessions.

The procedure for a first appointment varies from practice to practice, but here is an overview of how things tend to work at Mind Health:

At the beginning of your first session your psychologist will briefly run through important paperwork with you. This will include completing a form with basic personal information and a consent form that cover issues such as confidentiality, fees and other important information about sessions. If you have been referred by a GP or psychiatrist, we will discuss the details of your Mental Health Treatment Plan at this point.

The remainder of the session is usually spent discussing the issues that have brought you into therapy. As well as developing a thorough understanding of your concerns, your psychologist will explore relevant background history, for example, information about your family, social relationships, work history and any past counselling that you have done.

Based on this information we will begin to help you to understand more about what might be triggering and maintaining your current issues. If time allows we will also work with you to develop a collaborative and flexible plan for future therapy sessions.

  • A psychology sessions normally runs for 50 minutes long. We usually spend 10 minutes on note-taking and administration.

Under the Better Access initiative, eligible people can receive:

  • Up to 10 individual sessions in a calendar year (1 January to 31 December).
  • Up to 10 group therapy sessions in a calendar year where such services are available and seen as appropriate by your referring doctor and the psychologist. faq

Referrals cannot be provided for the full 10 sessions. A referral is for a maximum of 6 + 4 sessions. Your referring doctor will assess your progress after the first six sessions and determine whether further sessions are needed.

After you have reached the maximum number of allowable sessions for the calendar year you will not be eligible for any further Medicare rebates for treatment you receive from a psychologist until the new calendar year.

PSYCHOLOGY

Psychologists study the way people feel, think, act and interact. Through a range of strategies and therapies they aim to reduce distress and to enhance and promote emotional wellbeing. Psychologists are experts in human behavior. They have studied the brain, memory, learning and human development. Psychologists can assist people who are having difficulty controlling their emotions, thinking and behaviour, including those with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, serious and enduring mental illness, addictive behaviours and childhood behaviour disorders.

All psychologists are registered with the national registration board, the Psychology Board of Australia, in the same way medical practitioners must be registered. This means that they must be competent and follow a strict Code of Conduct.

Not all counsellors or therapists are registered psychologists. Seeing someone who is registered ensures you receive high quality ethical treatment.

Psychologists are experts in providing therapies for mental health problems. These therapies are effective in treating mental health conditions including for example, anxiety, depression, alcohol use disorders and eating disorders, as well as a range of childhood problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and conduct problems.

No, you do not need a referral. You can make an appointment with a psychologist without a referral from your GP or a psychiatrist. If you decide to do this you will need to pay the full amount for your sessions out of your own pocket. 

Psychologists are experts in providing therapies for mental health problems. These therapies are effective in treating mental health conditions including for example, anxiety, depression, alcohol use disorders and eating disorders, as well as a range of childhood problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and conduct problems.

All information that you disclose in your session with a psychologist is confidential. There are two exceptions to this rule. The first exception is if you are at risk of harm to yourself or someone else and the second exception is in relation to court orders. If either of these situations become relevant your psychologist will discuss this with you.

There can be lots of questions that come up when you’re trying to make a decision about whether to see a psychologist. If you have a question that we haven’t answered here, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on 1300 084 200 or email: info@imindhealth.com.au Our friendly support team will get back to you within one business day.

Psychologists are health professionals who work in a range of areas including clinical, health, neuropsychology, sports, forensic, organisational and community settings. To become a fully registered psychologist you must undertake an undergraduate degree, an Honours degree and and at least two years of supervised training and further education in the field of psychology (either a Masters or Doctorate degree).

Psychologists assist people with everyday concerns such as stress and relationship difficulties, as well as mental health issues. Psychologists use “talk therapies” to help people to develop skills to cope with difficulties and to prevent on-going issues. There are a large number of research studies supporting the effectiveness of psychological therapy.

Psychiatrists have completed a medical degree and further training and study related to the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Psychiatrists specialise in the medical treatment of mental illness and can prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists combine medication with therapy.

Counsellors can come from a broad range of training and backgrounds. Currently in Australia the term “counsellor” is not protected. This means that anyone can refer to themselves as a counsellor. Having said this many counsellors have undertaken training and education in educational settings, ranging from a Diploma up to a Masters or PhD degree. An organisation called the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) has also been set up to protect the standards and ethical training of the counselling profession.

MEDICARE

‘Mental disorder’ is a term used to describe a range of clinically diagnosable disorders that significantly impact on a person’s emotions, thoughts, social skills and decision-making. The Better Access initiative covers people with mental disorders arising from:

Under the Better Access initiative, eligible people can receive:

  • Up to 10 individual sessions in a calendar year (1 January to 31 December).
  • Up to 10 group therapy sessions in a calendar year where such services are available and seen as appropriate by your referring doctor and the psychologist.

Referrals cannot be provided for the full 20 sessions. A referral is for a maximum of six-ten sessions. Your referring doctor will assess your progress after the first six sessions and determine whether further sessions are needed.

After you have reached the maximum number of allowable sessions for the calendar year you will not be eligible for any further Medicare rebates for treatment you receive from a psychologist until the new calendar year.

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