follow these steps

GETTING STARTED

  • If you would like to access Medicare rebates for your appointments, you will require a GP referral and Mental Health Care Plan. Please see your GP to discuss this before your initial appointment. Once these documents are completed, please provide them to us via email or fax.

  • Please contact us via phone or email to discuss engaging with our service.

  • Please contact us via phone or email to discuss engaging with our service.

necessary paperwork

Upon your enquiry, we will ask you to provide some additional information regarding your current circumstances and complete a brief questionnaire (DASS-21). This helps us to determine whether we are a suitable service for your needs.  We will also provide you with information, consent, and privacy forms to ensure that you are happy to proceed. To process your payments, we require that you to provide debit/credit card details, which are stored securely. You will also need to provide your Medicare card details if you would like us to process Medicare rebates on your behalf. Once this process is completed, we will schedule your first session as soon as possible. If we feel we are not the right fit for you, we will direct you back to your GP for support to locate an alternate service.

first session

Your first session will generally involve:

  • Introductions.

  • Brief review of processes and policies.

  • Information Gathering/Initial Assessment.

  • Opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.

The primary focus of the first session is information gathering, sometimes referred to as an initial assessment. Your psychologist uses this as an opportunity to get to know you. They will ask about your current situation and your reason(s) for accessing support, as well as some questions about your past. This helps your psychologist to develop a clear picture of what is happening for you, how it came to be this way, and how best to move forward. A thorough assessment also helps us to make sure that we are not missing any important information which may influence how we support you. If there is anything that you do not wish to discuss, please let your psychologist know. You may also be asked to complete a questionnaire(s) to gather additional information.

subsequent sessions

The initial information gathering stage usually takes place over one to two sessions. Once completed, your psychologist will discuss their thoughts and conclusions with you. This allows us to confirm that we have understood your concerns and are on the same page about what is relevant. Your psychologist will then discuss an individualised treatment plan with you. This process will involve collaboratively setting goals; identifying what you would like to focus on and/or work towards. 

These sessions are typically spent working on your goals. Your goals may shift and change throughout our work together- this is very common! Some sessions are discussion-focused (talk therapy), and at other times will involve developing strategies and coping tools. How your sessions look is largely up to you and your preferences. The overall number of sessions you require and the frequency of sessions will also depend on your individual needs.

There may be times where your psychologist suggests ‘homework’ or skills practice between appointments. You may also be asked to complete a questionnaire(s) at regular intervals to monitor your symptoms and progress. Further, there will be frequent opportunities to provide feedback to your psychologist.

concluding treatment

Our work together may come to an end for several reasons. Most commonly, we will cease working together when your goals have been achieved and we have not identified further areas to address. You will be supported to conclude sessions feeling prepared to ‘fly solo’. It is always our aim to empower clients to self-manage, which includes the confidence to recognise when additional support may be required in future.

We may also consider ending our work together if it becomes clear that things are not improving and/or we are not assisting you in the ways you require. Please discuss with your psychologist if you feel this way, as we may be able to adjust your treatment plan. If we are not the best service to support you at the current time, we will assist you to locate a suitable alternate.