FAQ
We have put together answers to some common questions about our service and what you can expect. This section is designed to help you feel more informed and comfortable before making an appointment.
If you can’t find the answer you are looking for, don’t worry — we are here to help. Please feel free to reach out and we will be happy to answer your questions.
“The Flannel Flower is a symbol of comfort and healing. Remember that you are not alone.”
Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)
A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is a referral prepared by your GP to cover specific mental health concerns. Your GP will assess you to see whether they believe you meet the diagnostic criteria for a MHCP.
It is important to note that you must meet the clinical diagnostic requirements to be accepted under the Medicare Scheme. This assessment can also be done by a psychiatrist or paediatrician.
Under the MHCP and letter of referral, you are eligible to receive a Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions with a psychologist in a calendar year (January – December).
You are eligible to see a psychologist under the Medicare scheme for:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Adjustment disorder
- Attention deficit disorder
- Bereavement disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Conduct disorder
- Co-occurring anxiety and depression
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Panic disorder
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Psychotic disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Sexual disorders
- Sleep problems
Your initial referral will be for 6 sessions. After completing 6 sessions, your psychologist will ask you to complete two questionnaires:
- Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21)
- Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10+)
Along with these questionnaires, your psychologist will write a brief report, updating the GP about your progress. You will then be required to return to your GP for a MHCP progress review. If your GP agrees that you will benefit from further sessions, they can provide another referral letter for the final 4 sessions in the calendar year.
This totals ten rebated sessions per calendar year.
Appointment fees range from $220.00 – $240.00 per session.
If you are seeing us under the MHCP Medicare Scheme, you can then claim between $98.95 to $145.25 per session back from Medicare for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. The amount you are rebated tends to slightly change each year.
We can electronically claim on your behalf once the full amount of the consultation is paid. Medicare will process the claim and deposit the rebated amount into your linked bank account. This can take up to 2 business days.
Please note if there is no linked bank account, you will be required to claim in person at a Medicare service centre.
We will provide you with all necessary receipts.
You do not need a referral if you want to pay privately and do not wish to claim through Medicare.
Yes! However, this depends on your individual health fund coverage. You will need to check with your health fund.
We can provide you with a receipt that is suitable to claim via all the main health funds:
- BUPA
- NIB
- Medibank Private
- AHM
- Teachers Health Fund
- HCF
- Australian Unity Health
Others
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a widely used intervention that is effective in treating a variety of mental health conditions. It fosters the idea that psychological problems tend to be based, in part, on unhelpful or ways of thinking and/or on learned patterns of unhelpful behaviour. Additionally, CBT emphasises that those who are dealing with psychological issues, can learn more adaptive ways of coping with them which in turn, can relieve their symptoms and improve their daily functioning.
Scientific research has demonstrated that CBT can lead to significant improvements in functioning and overall quality of life. Further studies have provided evidence that CBT can be as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications.
Within the course of CBT treatment, clients are encouraged to try and change their thinking patterns. Ways in which this can be achieved include:
- Recognising that one’s distortions in thinking may be creating problems, and therefore, reevaluating their thoughts in light of reality, may be more effective.
- Gaining a more appropriate understanding of the behaviour and motivation of other people.
- Using a problem-solving approach in order to cope with difficult situations that may arise.
In conjunction with improving thoughts, CBT treatment also usually involves efforts to change one’s maladaptive behavioural patterns. These strategies might include:
- Reducing avoidance and instead, facing one’s fears.
- Engaging in role playing, between therapist and client, to prepare for the possibility of encountering problematic interactions with other people.
- Learning to engage in mindfulness to therefore, calm one’s mind and body.
The psychologist and client will collaboratively develop an understanding of the presenting problem and therefore, develop a treatment strategy together.
CBT places an emphasis on assisting clients to learn to be their own therapists. The client is encouraged to engage in exercises throughout the session and in the outside environment (i.e., homework), in order for clients to learn how to change their own thinking, behaviours and emotions and thus, effectively cope with any problematic situation they may encounter.
The focus of CBT is primarily on the present and moving forward in time, in order for clients to develop more effective ways of coping with life.
Some examples of when CBT might be used include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Chronic pain
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Stress
We are here to support you
Please contact us or click on this link if you would like to see one of our experienced psychologists