Please see our appointments page for full information about appointment costs and possible rebates.

Therapy sessions with us cost $290. Sessions are usually 50 minutes in length.

The Medicare rebate* for sessions with a Clinical Psychologist, for those who are eligible, is $145.25.

*To obtain the Medicare rebate, clients must provide a referral letter and Mental Health Treatment Plan from their General Practitioner, or a referral letter from their Psychiatrist, prior to their appointment.

We do not offer bulk billing.

Many Private Health Insurers provide a rebate of $20-$80 for those with extras cover. Check your health insurer for details.

Wise Mind Psychology Clinic is dedicated to providing excellent care, which includes developing individualised plans and preparing for each session. Cancellation fees are charged as a time slot has been set aside for you, and cannot be filled at short notice. Late cancellations or rescheduling requires a minimum of 24 business hours notice.

In accordance with The Australian Psychological Society (APS) recommendations, the full fee will be charged for any missed, cancelled or rescheduled appointments within 24 hours. In order to avoid this fee, please provide us as much notice as possible, if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Medicare does not provide rebates for cancelled sessions.

To ensure you are able to cancel or reschedule in a timely manner, please do this via:

• Email the practice on info@wisemindpsychology.com.au

• Leave a voicemail at (03) 9021 3575.

The length of therapy required will depend on your symptoms and the issues you are contending with. Typically, the initial two sessions are dedicated to clinical assessment. This helps us collaborate and create a treatment plan together, as well as gauge the expected length of therapy.

The cost of a consultation (usually around 50 minutes) is $290, which is payable at the end of the session by Visa or Mastercard. Any Medicare rebate will be processed and returned to you by Medicare (usually within 1-2 days of your session), leaving a gap fee of $144.75

A valid credit card should be provided prior to the first appointment, which is held as part of your client record. This credit card will be used to pay for sessions as well as cancellation fees if applicable (as per our Cancellation Policy, if for some reason you need to cancel or postpone your appointment, please give the psychologist at least 24 business hours’ notice. Otherwise, you will be charged the cost for the session.)

Yes, I have been practicing online therapy for several years and many clients find this a convenient and highly beneficial way to access therapy. You can see my suggestions for preparing for online sessions below.

During the first two sessions, we will focus on understanding your challenges and what you would like to change in your life. I'll ask you questions about your current life and what you hope to get out of therapy, and you will also have a chance to ask questions about how I work.

Together, we'll come up with a plan to help you reach your goals. This might involve a course of therapy with me, or I might recommend a different service or approach.

If you have more questions about therapy or want to schedule a session, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Everything we talk about in your session is usually confidential. However, there are exceptional situations where your confidentiality may not be protected. I will always endeavour to ask your permission before we discuss anything with anyone outside of our sessions, unless I believe there is a risk to your safety or someone else’s, or in the case of a legal subpoena of my clinical notes, if I am seeking clinical supervision or if previously agreed with another professiona. This is explained in more detail in the consent form.

Before your session, you can review the consent form. The form includes information on confidentiality, communication, and cancellation fees. We follow the Australian Psychological Society Charter for Clients.

There are a few things that may help you get the most out of your sessions. It's important to choose a psychologist that you feel comfortable working with, and who you feel is able to understand your goals for therapy. The therapeutic relationship is one of the most important components of therapy (even more important than which model or type of therapy is used). However, it is normal for it to take several sessions to develop trust and safety in the therapeutic relationship.

It's important to think about what you hope to gain from therapy and what you're willing to work on to make it helpful. This might include reading recommended materials, keeping a journal, practicing skills, and reflecting on your sessions. Remember that therapy sessions only last 50 minutes, so it's important to also practice and reflect on this work between sessions.

There are some things you can do ahead of time to help you make the most of your online therapy sessions:

Give yourself time to get ready for your online appointment, like you would for an in-person session. Prepare for your appointment by thinking about what you want to talk about and what you would like to gain from the session.

It is important to choose a place for your session that is private, quiet, and comfortable. It would be helpful if you could set up your equipment (laptop, phone, or tablet) with good lighting and positioning so that I can see you. You can also use earphones to reduce background noise as it is important that we can hear each other.

Don’t forget to close unnecessary apps and turn off notifications on your devices to minimise distractions too. Ensure you have everything you need to hand, such as your journal, a pen and paper, tissues, and a glass of water.

You are welcome to bring your baby with you to your sessions. However, it can be helpful to take this time just for you. Children may listen to things that you may not want them to hear, so it's important to consider this as well.

You can see a psychologist or engage in therapy without a referral. However, if you wish to claim a Medicare rebate for psychology sessions, you will need a valid referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan from a GP, or a referral letter from a psychiatrist.

In order to obtain a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), you will need to schedule a longer appointment with your GP. During the appointment, let your GP know that you would like to discuss your mental health concerns and request a MHTP. Your GP will ask you questions about your thoughts and emotions and may ask you to complete a questionnaire. It is important to be open and honest with your GP. If your GP determines that you qualify, they will create a MHTP and establish mental health goals with you.

After your GP completes your MHTP, they will provide a referral letter and the plan, which you must provide to us before your first appointment to receive a Medicare rebate. Alternatively, the GP may fax this directly to us.

From 1st January 2023, individuals can access a maximum of 10 Medicare rebated sessions per calendar year.

Your first referral and MHTP will cover a maximum of six sessions. Following this, you will need to revisit your GP. If you and your GP agree that you require additional therapy, your plan may be extended for more sessions, and they will issue a new referral letter. Once again, you must provide us with this paperwork before your next appointment to receive your Medicare rebates.

Psychiatrists can also provide referral letters to the practice to enable you to access Medicare rebated sessions.

Your rebate may be higher toward the end of the year if the Medicare safety net has been reached.