The right support starts with
UNDERSTANDING
Frequently asked questions.
If you have never attended therapy or counselling, you might not be sure what to expect. That’s okay. Below are some common questions you might find helpful. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us. Please see Autism Assessment FAQ here.
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Please contact our friendly administrative team on (03) 9381 7801, email us directly at contact@westside-psych.com, or submit our enquiry form.
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Sessions are approximately 50 minutes long.
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Clinicians are flexible in supporting your treatment goals in line with your individual needs. Initially, fortnightly appointments are recommended.
However, this can be tailored to suit individual needs and lifestyle, and therapy can be provided less regularly.
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It is normal to have mixed feelings in the lead up to an initial session. Many people also experience a range of emotions during their first session, but often a sense of relief of being able to tell their story.
The first session will focus on understanding who you are, what you’re struggling with, what you’d like life to look like as well and any other goals for coming to therapy. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about how the clinician works.
Typically, it can take up to two sessions to come to a place where a shared understanding and treatment plan is developed to reach your goals. A trauma-informed approach is taken to ensure you can leave your appointment feeling safe, not re-traumatised.
If you have any other questions about therapy, what it looks like, how it might help you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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The amount of time required for therapy will be determined by your individual challenges, goals and what you are hoping to get out of attending. However, this can evolve over the course of therapy depending on individual needs.
Ultimately, length of therapy is determined by you, and it is important to overt that you can stop therapy at any time of your choosing.
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Just yourself. Many clients like to bring notes that they may have made prior to the session or find it beneficial to take some notes during sessions. If you have any existing reports or assessments, you can bring these also.
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Yes, telehealth therapy can be provided for clients in rural or remote areas.
Medicare subsidised telehealth sessions have been deemed an ongoing feature of the Medicare system in Australia to allow clients in remote areas to have greater access to services.
Fees & Rebates
For counselling services
All clinicians at Westside Psych offer competitive fees for therapy sessions, below the rate recommended by the Australian Psychological Society (APS), though these fees vary across clinicians.
Medicare rebates will cover $149.05 (and higher if you have reached your Medicare safety net) which goes back into your bank account following the sessions.
Some clinicians are happy to accept NDIS funded clients.
For further details on current pricing structure or other appointment questions, please contact our friendly administration team.
Please note: we are not currently accepting bulk billing clients.
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You can see clinicians at Westside Psych and engage in therapy without a referral.
In order to be able to access the Medicare rebate of $149.05 for up to 10 sessions each calendar year, you need to have a valid GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from a GP.
Alternatively, you can obtain a referral letter from a psychiatrist.
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You need to schedule a longer appointment with your GP or let the reception team at your GP practice know you’d like to obtain a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP).
Your GP will ask you a series of questions about your thoughts and feelings, they may also ask you to complete a brief questionnaire. It is important to be open with your GP in this process.
Your GP can then create a MHTP and provide a GP referral letter. Your GP will provide these to you and you can send these directly our admin staff at contact@westside-psych.com, or you can request that your GP do this for you.
In order to be able to access the rebate, this has to occur before your initial appointment.
This will allow you to access the Medicare rebate of $149.05 to see a clinical psychologist. You can then access up to a total of 10 sessions in a calendar year.
Your initial referral will be for up to 6 sessions. Following the initial 6 sessions, you’ll need to do a review with your GP and then if you and your GP agree, you can access the remaining 4 sessions. Your GP will then issue a second referral letter.
This also needs to be provided before your next appointment in order to access the Medicare rebate.
Please feel free to contact our team directly for clarification around Medicare rebates and referrals.
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Yes you can. If you have health insurance that covers psychology/counselling as extras cover, you may be eligible for a rebate.
It is recommended that you contact your insurance provider prior to your appointment to determine what your individual coverage is.
Please note, you cannot claim a Medicare rebate and private health rebate simultaneously.
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Cancellations or rescheduling requires notice greater than 48 hours from your designated appointment time in order to avoid a cancellation fee.
We request that you provide as much notice as possible if you are unable to attend your appointment.
If you are charged a cancellation fee, Medicare rebates and private health rebates are unable to be provided. Late cancellation or non-attendance without notice will incur a fee of 50% of session cost.
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Yes there are. These services incur a fee due to being time consuming and extensive in nature.
Please allow 5+ business days for any requests for documentation, and discuss any requests with your clinician directly.
Still unsure?
Get in touch with our friendly admin team.