Frequently Asked Questions

Psychologists complete a minimum of 6 years of university training, specialising in understanding behaviour, psychological assessment, and evidence-based therapies. We're registered and regulated by AHPRA.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in mental health. They can prescribe medication and often work alongside psychologists for complex cases.

Counsellors don't have mandatory registration or standardised training requirements in Australia, so quality can vary significantly.

This depends on your specific concerns and goals. After our initial session, I'll have a clearer sense of what might be involved and we can discuss this together.

Some people find meaningful progress in 6-10 sessions. Others with more complex or long-standing patterns may benefit from longer-term work. Progress also depends on practice between sessions?the work doesn't just happen in the room.

Both initial and ongoing sessions are 50 minutes. Please arrive on time?late arrivals can't be extended as it impacts other clients.

With a valid GP referral and Mental Health Care Plan, you can receive a Medicare rebate of $145.25 per session, for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.

You pay the full fee at the time of your appointment, and the rebate is processed directly to your nominated bank account (usually within a few days).

After your first 6 sessions, a brief GP review is required before the remaining 4 sessions can be claimed.

Medicare covers treatment for diagnosed mental health conditions including anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and sleep disorders, among others.

Your GP will determine eligibility when creating your Mental Health Care Plan.

Many private health funds offer rebates for clinical psychology sessions under their extras cover. Check with your provider for specific details.

Note: You cannot claim both Medicare and private health insurance for the same session?it's one or the other.

Sessions cancelled or rescheduled with less than one business day's notice are charged at the full session fee.

This policy exists because late cancellations prevent others from accessing that time slot.

Medicare rebates only apply to the individual client named on the Mental Health Care Plan. If a partner or family member attends a session, only the referred individual can claim the rebate.

Note: I only offer individual therapy, not couple or family sessions.

Currently, I only offer face-to-face sessions at my Cammeray practice. I find in-person work allows for a richer therapeutic connection, though I understand this doesn't suit everyone's circumstances.

I work with adults (18+) only. There's no upper age limit?no one is ever too old to improve their quality of life. I've worked successfully with clients well into their 80s.

Everything discussed in sessions is confidential, with a few legal exceptions: if disclosure is required by court order, if you provide consent, or if there's a serious risk to someone's safety.

If you're seeing me under a Medicare Mental Health Care Plan, I'm required to send a brief progress letter to your referring GP after 6 sessions. We can discuss what this contains.