FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

A clinical psychologist is a psychologist who is trained in science-based theory and practice in mental health. They have undertaken 8 years of highly specialised APAC-accredited training in the assessment, diagnosis, formulation, and psychological treatment of mental health, behavioural, and emotional disorders across the lifespan. 

They have specific skills that they employ in their work, including:

• Understanding the broad expanse of mental health issues and how they may occur at any age.
• An extensive knowledge of mental illness assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Psychological tests in order to assess problems and be more effective in understanding and treating those suffering psychological distress or learning and development concerns.
• Consulting with a variety of other health professionals and organisations about behaviour, emotions, and severe mental distress.
• Being able to perform research and collect data to enhance the understanding of clinical psychology.

A clinical psychologist can provide and recommend a range of treatments, including:

• Psychological therapy (psychotherapy or talking therapy).
• Psychological testing to gain a better understanding of how you are functioning.
• Practical advice about eating, sleeping, exercise, and other ways to manage side effects of mental health problems.
• Information about your condition, which can help you to understand your symptoms and treatments.

Source.  What is a Clinical Psychologist? (acpa.org.au) 

 Common reasons why someone might see a clinical psychologist include:

• Problems in adjusting to major life changes, stress or trauma
• Anxiety, worry or fear.
• Depressed or low mood, or suicidal thinking.
• Thoughts of hurting other people or hurting yourself on purpose.
• Too much energy, being unable to sleep, wind down or relax.
• Obsessional thinking.
• Feeling on edge or jumpy.
• Problems with alcohol or drug use.
• Problem gambling, gaming or other addictive behaviours.
• Problems around body image, eating, or dieting.
• Poor concentration and attention; hyperactivity.
• Insomnia and other sleep problems.
• Conditions that start in childhood such as autism, intellectual disability, ADHD, learning difficulties or childhood anxiety or depression.
• Behaviour problems in children and adolescence.
• Relationship and sexual issues or problems.

A clinical psychologist can be of particular help when a condition:

• Is complex or difficult to diagnose.
• Involves suicidal ideas or plans.
• Isn’t responding to standard treatment through your GP or another mental health professional. 

As part of their work, a clinical psychologist may:

• Help you to manage a long-term mental health condition.
• Provide advice about lifestyle changes to help manage psychological distress.
• Work with you individually, or with you and your partner, family, or carers.
• Provide second opinions and advice to other mental health professionals.
• Liaise with your GP to facilitate a referral to other health professionals, such as a psychiatrist, speech pathologist, or Occupational Therapist.

Source.  What is a Clinical Psychologist? (acpa.org.au) 

Psychologists and psychiatrists share commonalities as well as key differences.  Psychologists with a specialty endorsement (e.g., clinical psychology, forensic psychology, education and development psychology) typically have eight years of university undergraduate and post graduate training. 

Psychiatrists are medical professionals who have completed a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and who have undertaken five years of post-graduate field training as Psychiatric Registrars before becoming fully registered psychiatrists.  

Psychologists and psychiatrists will often diagnose psychiatric concerns in a similar way, using an internationally recognised manual for the assessment of psychiatric concerns like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. However, Psychiatrists are experts in medication as the primary treatment for emotional disturbance, while psychologists utilise various psychotherapies to address a client’s concerns.  The best outcomes of treatment tend to be shown when medication and psychotherapy are used in combination.

A good time to seek help from a psychologist is when you feel overwhelmed, can no longer cope on your own, and are motivated to work with a professional who can help you overcome your problems. 

Other signs include experiencing severe and persistent symptoms (such as low mood, low motivation, poor sleep, overusing substances/alcohol, relationship difficulties) that interfere with your ability to function at work, home, school, or in social settings. 

Click our 'contact us' button to leave a message for us to call you to make an appointment or if you have any questions.

You can also call us on 1300 023 348 and speak with one of our friendly team members. If we are not available when you call, please leave a message and we will return your call.

Remember, however, that we are not a crisis service. If this is an emergency or you are at risk of harm, please call 000 or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

You do not need a referral to see a psychologist, however, having a referral may allow you to claim a Medicare rebate for your sessions. 

Better Access Program - GP referral

If you receive a referral from your General Practitioner via a Mental Health Care Plan under the Better Access program, you can access 10 discounted therapy sessions per calendar year. Clients may still attend sessions without an MHCP in place, however there would be no rebate applicable, so the full fee would need to be paid.  

Private Health

If you have private health cover, check with your provider to see if you are eligible to receive a rebate from your private health insurance and what limits apply. A receipt can be provided for claims made to your private health fund. No referral is required if you have private health care cover. 

Past and current ADF members

If you are a past or current member of the Australian Defence Forces, you and your family may be eligible to access psychology services through a DVA referral from your GP or through Open Arms. These sessions are fully funded and are no cost to you. 

NDIS

If you have psychology services included in your NDIS plan and are not agency managed, you are able to access fully funded psychology services with us through your NDIS funding. 

WorkCover and Insurance

If you have a current WorkCover or Insurance claim, your contact person will let you know if you are eligible for any psychology sessions as part of your claim.

Couples and Family Counselling

Medicare does not provide rebate for family therapy, couples therapy, or relationships counselling. If you have private health insurance, check with your provider to see if family therapy or couple's therapy is covered.

Full Fee

You can see a psychologist at any time without a referral. Discounts are available for people with a health care card or on a pension. 

Group Therapy

We run group programs throughout the year. Some programs are eligible for Medicare rebates with a mental health care plan from your GP. 

Absolutely.  Psychologists have the same responsibilities as General Practitioners when it comes to confidentiality.  Written notes are kept securely in accordance with federal law that details how information is to be kept when it is collected in therapy. 

The only times we would share your information are:

* with your consent

* you or someone else is at risk of harm 

* we receive a subpoena from court

* we receive information about child abuse that we are mandated by law to report

If you have any concerns regarding confidentiality, please discuss these with your therapist who will provide more specific information on how information is collected and stored.

A typical session usually lasts 50 minutes. During the first meeting, your psychologist will probably ask you to complete some paperwork and ask you questions about your history and why you’re seeking treatment. 

Your first meeting is also an opportunity for you to determine if you believe the psychologist will be a good fit for you. You can do this by asking questions about the psychologist’s experience helping people overcome issues like the ones you are facing. If you and your psychologist agree to work together, your psychologist will explain how therapy will work and will set a schedule for you to meet regularly. There will also be time for you to ask questions. 

In some cases, the psychologist may offer you a referral to another psychologist who can provide you with more specialised treatment. 

Despite the stigma and anxiety that is sometimes associated with seeing a psychologist, it is important to seek help when you are overwhelmed and can no longer cope on your own. By seeking help, you have taken the first step towards achieving your goals and living a more fulfilling life. That is truly something to be proud of. 

Yes.  Starting therapy can sometimes be a bit stressful or anxiety provoking.  You are welcome to bring a supportive family member or friend with you to the first couple of sessions until you feel settled in with the process.

In an ideal world, you would see a psychologist on a fortnightly basis. Early on in therapy if needed, this may be weekly, and as therapy enters the later stages it is common to move to monthly or six weekly appointments. This ideal however, is often impacted by the cost of therapy, rebates available under various funding programs, and life schedules. We aim to be flexible and work in with you to find the best treatment program and frequency to suit your circumstances. 

It depends. Individual therapy and couple’s therapy can be mutually beneficial as one tends to positively reinforce the other, so doing them at the same time is quite possible. In cases where the individual therapy should occur before couple's therapy, we will discuss this with you. 

It is recommended that your individual therapist is different from your couples work therapist.