Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Welcome to Mind Health’s FAQ page. Here, we’ve compiled answers to common questions to assist you in understanding our services and how we can support your mental well-being. If you need further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

What is a Psychologist?

A Psychologist is a professional trained in the science of mind and behaviour, specialising in understanding mental processes and human actions. They assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders through various therapeutic techniques.

Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists typically do not prescribe medication but focus on psychotherapy and behavioral interventions. They work in diverse settings, including hospitals, schools, private practices, and research institutions, aiming to improve individuals’ mental health and well-being.

All psychologists are registered with the national registration board Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, and 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.

If you’re experiencing emotional difficulties, stress, anxiety, depression, anger issues, work-related issues, relationship problems, or any challenges impacting your daily life and well-being, consulting a psychologist can be beneficial. They can provide strategies and therapies to help manage and overcome these issues.

Psychologists are experts in providing therapies for mental health problems. These therapies are effective in treating mental health conditions including for example, anxiety, depression, trauma/PTSD, OCD, addictions, as well as a range of other issues like health concerns, relationship difficulties, and work problems.

While you can directly book an appointment with a psychologist, obtaining a referral from a General Practitioner (GP) can be advantageous. A GP referral may qualify you for Medicare rebates under the Better Access Scheme, making psychological services more affordable.

All information that you disclose in your session with a psychologist is confidential.

There are two exceptions to this rule.

  1. The first exception is if you are at risk of harm to yourself or someone else and;
  2. the second exception is in relation to court orders.

If either of these situations become relevant your psychologist will discuss this with you.

In Australia, both Clinical Psychologists and Registered Psychologists are qualified professionals who provide mental health services. The key differences lie in their training and areas of expertise:​

  • Registered Psychologist: This title refers to professionals who have completed a four-year undergraduate degree in psychology followed by either a two-year Master’s or Doctorate, or two years of supervised practical training. They are equipped to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of mental health issues.

  • Clinical Psychologist: These psychologists have undertaken additional specialised training, typically completing a Master’s or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, which includes extensive clinical placement experience. This advanced training focuses on the assessment and treatment of complex mental health disorders.​

Both types of psychologists are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and adhere to strict ethical guidelines. The choice between consulting a Clinical Psychologist or a Registered Psychologist depends on the specific needs and preferences of the individual seeking help.​

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 evidence-based 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.

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 evidence-based 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.

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.

‘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 Medicare Better Access initiative covers people with mental disorders arising from:

→ For more information: Medicare Psychology Services

At Mind Health, we offer a comprehensive range of psychological services tailored to meet diverse needs. Below is an overview of our services with embedded links for more detailed information:​

Psychological Assessments:

  • Clinical Psychological Assessments: These assessments provide diagnostic clarity and inform personalized treatment plans. ​Wikipedia

  • IQ Testing: We assess intelligence, academic abilities, and cognitive skills for individuals aged 7 to 65, including services for Opportunity Class (OC) and Selective School placements. ​

  • Memory Assessments: Our comprehensive evaluations assess memory function and cognitive skills to identify any impairments or concerns. 

  • Neuropsychological Assessments: These in-depth assessments evaluate cognitive functions to diagnose and inform treatment plans for various conditions. 

  • Personality Testing: We offer assessments to evaluate personality traits and characteristics, aiding in understanding individual differences.

  • Aptitude and Vocational Testing: Our testing services assist individuals in identifying suitable career paths and understanding their strengths and weaknesses. ​

Psychological Treatments:

Specialised Programs:

Reporting Services:

  • Medico-Legal Assessments and Reports: Expert evaluations for legal proceedings, such as personal injury claims and workers’ compensation cases. ​

  • NDIS Assessments: Psychological evaluations to support applications and reviews for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. ​Wikipedia

  • Centrelink Assessments: Assessments to assist with Centrelink benefit applications and appeals. ​Wikipedia

  • Immigration Assessments: Psychological evaluations to support immigration applications and appeals. ​

  • Housing Assessments: Assessments to support applications for housing assistance and related services. ​

  • Court-Related Assessments: Expert evaluations for various court purposes, including family law and criminal cases. ​

For more detailed information on each service, please visit our Services page.

At Mind Health, we distinguish ourselves through a comprehensive and personalised treatment approach to mental well-being:​

  • Holistic Care: We integrate traditional psychological practices with holistic methods, considering mental, physical, emotional, and social factors to provide well-rounded care.

  • Innovative Therapies: Our services include cutting-edge treatments such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which has been effective in addressing trauma and related conditions.​

  • Accessibility: We offer both in-person and telehealth services, ensuring that quality mental health care is accessible regardless of location or mobility constraints.

→ Click here for more about our Treatment Approach

Standard Fees (as at 1 July 2024 – updated annually)

  • Consultation with Registered Psychologist (50 mins): $250
  • Consultation with Clinical 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, some 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.

See more info at mindhealth.com.au/fees

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.

See more info about our Fees & Rebatesat mindhealth.com.au/fees

You can make a booking by completing our Appointment Booking form or by contacting us at 1300 084 200.

 

Yes, we provide telehealth services, allowing you to access psychological support remotely. This is particularly beneficial for individuals in remote areas or those with mobility constraints.

→ For more info visit: Telehealth & Online Psychology Services.

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.

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

The duration will be extended for more comprehensive assessments such as IQ, ADHD, NDIS and other testing or reporting needs.

Under the Medicare 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 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.

For more information see our Medicare Psychology Services.

Under NDIS, the number of sessions eligible participants are determined based on their funding.

In some cases NDIS participants can be seen for psychosocial therapy supports for weekly or fortnightly sessions.

For more information see our NDIS Psychology Services.

Upon approval for psychology services under SIRA WorkCover NSW and/or CTP eligible injured worker can receive:

For more information see our Workers Compensation & CTP Psychology Services.

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:

  1. Intake: 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.
  2. Assessment: 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.
  3. Feedback: 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.

For more information visit our: First Therapy Session Guide

About Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

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 request a booking.

Our friendly support team will get back to you within 1-2 business days.

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