Hello and Welcome!

A Warm Welcome

Welcome to Mind Health 🙂 We understand that taking the first step towards therapy can feel daunting, and we want to assure you that you’re entering a safe, judgment-free space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and life values. Our clinicians are committed to providing you with a warm, comfortable, and supportive experience.

Preparing for Your First Therapy Session

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Taking Your First Step

Beginning therapy is a courageous decision, and at Mind Health Parramatta, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our experienced clinicians create a safe, judgment-free environment where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and life values at your own pace. We understand that starting therapy might feel daunting, which is why we’ve created this guide to help you prepare for your journey.

Before Your First Session

Getting Started with Onboarding

Your therapeutic journey begins with our onboarding process, which helps us understand your needs before we meet. You’ll receive an email with a link to our secure online portal where you can complete your intake forms at your convenience. If you prefer, you can arrive 15 minutes early to complete these forms at our office instead.

The onboarding process helps us gather essential information about your background, concerns, and goals, allowing your therapist to better prepare for your first meeting. It includes details about your medical history, current challenges, and insurance information. We also request credit card details during this process to streamline payment handling and support our cancellation policy.

Your Pre-Session Checklist

📋 Print this checklist to help prepare for your first session:

□ Complete online onboarding form
□ Gather any relevant medical documents or mental health plans
□ Submit insurance approvals (if applicable)
□ Write down key concerns or questions
□ Plan travel time to arrive 5-10 minutes early
□ Choose comfortable clothing
□ Locate your Medicare card (if claiming rebate)

Creating the Right Mindset

The hours before your first therapy session can set the tone for your experience. Consider taking these steps to ensure you’re in the best mindset:

  1. Set aside time to reflect on what brings you to therapy and what you hope to achieve.
  2. You might find it helpful to spend a few quiet moments journaling about your thoughts and feelings.
  3. Try to avoid scheduling stressful activities immediately before your session – giving yourself some breathing room can help you arrive feeling more centered and prepared.

Your First Session Experience

The Welcome (5-10 minutes)

Your therapist will greet you and invite you into a comfortable, private space. This initial time is about helping you feel at ease and handling any remaining paperwork or questions you might have.

The Consultation (40-45 minutes)

During this main portion of your session, you’ll have the opportunity to share your story and what brings you to therapy. Your therapist will guide the conversation with thoughtful questions, helping to explore your current challenges and goals. Remember, there’s no pressure to share everything at once – therapy is a journey, and this first session is about beginning to build a trusted therapeutic relationship.

Wrapping Up (5 minutes)

Your therapist will summarize the session and discuss potential next steps. This is also your time to ask any questions about the therapy process or schedule follow-up appointments.

Special Circumstances

Couples Therapy

When attending couples therapy, both partners should plan to attend the first session together. This allows your therapist to understand both perspectives and observe your dynamics as a couple. Take some time before the session to reflect individually on your goals for therapy and what you hope to achieve together.

Parent and Child Sessions

For child therapy sessions, at least one parent or caregiver must attend the initial consultation. This session involves discussing privacy and confidentiality matters, signing necessary forms, and sharing important background information about your child. Your therapist will guide you on their approach and discuss how parent involvement will work in future sessions.

Practical Matters

Location & Access

Our practice is conveniently located in Parramatta. Visit our Contact & Location page for detailed directions, parking information, and public transport options.

Payment Information

We accept various payment methods including credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Payment is processed at the time of your appointment. If you’re claiming through Medicare, please ensure you have a current Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP.

Telehealth Session Preparation

📋 Telehealth Checklist:

□ Test your device and internet connection
□ Find a quiet, private space
□ Ensure device is fully charged
□ Have headphones ready if needed
□ Close unnecessary browser tabs/applications
□ Have a glass of water nearby
□ Keep your session link easily accessible

Booking Your Session

Ready to begin? As a new client, you can:

  1. Call us at 1300 084 200
  2. Complete our booking form at mindhealth.com.au/appointment
  3. Email us at info@mindhealth.com.au

Once your appointment is confirmed, we’ll send you the online onboarding forms to complete before your session.

Emergency Support

If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, immediate support is available:

We look forward to supporting you on your therapeutic journey at Mind Health. If you have any questions before your first session, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team.

Additional Resources

Ready to Begin?

For new clients:

  1. Contact us to schedule your first appointment:
  2. Once booked in, you’ll receive a link to complete our online onboarding form
  3. Complete the form before your first therapy session, or arrive 15 minutes early to complete it at our office
Learn More
Update Fees, Pre-payment and Cancellation Policy Effective July 1, 2024

Medicare Rebate Information:

For those eligible for a Medicare rebate, this will be processed once we receive your referral and Mental Health Care Plan. You can submit these documents through our online portal or by emailing info@mindhealth.com.au. Alternatively, you may also request your GP to fax it to us at 1300 829 955.

Pre-payment Policy:

All appointments booked online will now require full payment at the time of booking. While this pre-payment is non-refundable, we understand that plans can change. Therefore, you can transfer your payment to a rescheduled appointment if you give us at least 48 hours' notice.

  Fees & Rebates

Cancellation Policy:

Our updated policy now requires a minimum of 48 hours' notice to reschedule or cancel an appointment. This allows us to better manage our psychologists' time and availability for other clients. Please note, cancellation requests made within less than 48 hours will result in a 50% charge, and less than 24 hours of your appointment will result in a full fee charge.

We kindly ask you to call us at 1300 084 200 between 9:00am - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, for all appointment rescheduling or cancellation needs. For Monday appointments, please notify us by the preceding Friday. Unfortunately, we can no longer accept cancellations via text or email.

  Cancellation Policy

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