Frequently Asked Questions

Psychologists and Clinical Psychologists?

The term psychologist is a broad one that refers to professionals who study human behavior and mental processes. Psychologists can work in a wide range of fields, including education, research, sports, business, and healthcare. Their primary focus may vary depending on their area of specialization — for example, educational psychologists work within schools to support learning and development, while occupational psychologists focus on workplace behavior and performance. In general, psychologists seek to understand how people think, feel, and behave, often using psychological theories and research methods to improve individual and societal well-being.

A clinical psychologist is a psychologist who has undertaken specialist training to develop an expertise in mental health. They have undertaken highly specialised training in the assessment, diagnosis, formulation, and psychological treatment of mental health, behavioural, and emotional disorders across the lifespan. Clinical psychologists are the only psychologists to have this advanced level of education and training in mental health. Clinical psychologists usually hold advanced postgraduate qualifications and undergo extensive supervised clinical training focused on mental health assessment, diagnosis and intervention.

Generalist psychologists can also play an important role in assessment and intervention. They may provide support to individuals experiencing a range of emotional or behavioral difficulties and conduct psychological assessments. While their training may less clinically focused as that of a clinical psychologist, generalist psychologists can undertake additional postgraduate study or professional training in specific therapeutic areas, such as counseling, education, or trauma-informed practice. This enables them to work effectively with clients in mental health contexts while maintaining a broader focus on psychological principles and human behavior.

In Australia psychology is a regulated health profession under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency via the Psychology Board of Australia. For a Clinical Psychologist they are registered as a “General Psychologist” with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), with Endorsement in “Clinical Psychology”. A Psychologist is registered as a “General Psychologist” with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

What should I do before my first session?

You may decide to see your GP for a Mental Health Care Plan (should your doctor think it is warranted) or you may decide to come in for a session first to test the waters. You do not need a referral to see a psychologist so it is up to you. If you do have a Mental Health Care Plan, you will be eligible for a Medicare rebate. Please check with your private health insurance to see if they cover psychology services as many do but it depends on your coverage.

What can I expect at my first session?

During the initial session, assessment questions are asked of you and if appropriate, your child. Questions may be asked regarding the main problem that concerns you, your child or family and about what has been going on in your life or that of your family’s life. This will help us understand your concerns and difficulties.

For child related referrals, we will work to understand your child’s strengths and goals for therapy. Depending on the age of your child and his/her comfort, we will possibly spend some time with parent(s) or carer(s) alone and some time with the child alone as well as everyone together.

At the end of the first consultation, you will have most likely worked together to identify a treatment plan. You will also receive some feedback on our understanding of what the main problem is, how it most likely came about and what can be done to help resolve the problem.

All sessions, including the first session are scheduled to last 50 minutes.

What does treatment involve?

How many sessions will I need?

Is therapy confidential?

What is the cancellation policy?

It is understandable that you may need to cancel an appointment, please note that due to waiting lists for psychology appointments, cancellation fees will apply. We use text reminders and emails to ensure you confirm your appointment within the required time frame.
Please provide 48 hours notice to avoid cancellation fees. Our policy is that should you fail to change or cancel an appointment within 48 business hours of the appointment time, the full fee will apply. You will not be able to claim Medicare rebates for non-attendance.

Effective therapy depends on a trusting relationship between the client and psychologist, and an important aspect of any trusting relationship is an expectation of confidentiality and privacy.

Your relationship with a psychologist is a professional one with important and specific limitations to what can be kept confidential. Before communicating with us, it is important that you take the time to understand the limits of confidentiality that apply to any and all information you share with us by telephone, online, in writing, and in person.

Our strict confidentiality policy outlined below is based on the combined stipulations of the APS (Australian Psychological Society) Code of Ethics, the mandatory reporting requirements set out by AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency), and various state and federal Government regulations. These stipulations are occasionally updated to keep in line with changes in technology, legislation, and best clinical practice standards.

By communicating with us, you do so with the understanding that all information we gather during our contact with you will remain strictly confidential except under any of the following serious circumstances:

Where there is a legal obligation to disclose information (e.g., if we or our file notes are subpoenaed);
If we reasonably believe that the collection, use, or disclosure of such information is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to the life, health or safety of any individual, or to the public’s health or safety;
When we access professional supervision or training (we agree to only discuss information in a way that conceals your identity and the identity of associated parties, and to only discuss this concealed information with colleagues who are professionally and ethically bound to preserve your privacy too);
To comply with the conditions of your funding (e.g., reporting requirements for sessions funded by a Medicare scheme, insurance company, Workcover etc.);
In following all legal requirements for reporting alleged or suspected child abuse to the relevant authorities as specified by the NSW governement;
If you are (or someone you tell us about is) a registered health practitioner that has behaved in a way that AHPRA deems ‘notifiable conduct’; or

If we wish to share information with others on your behalf under any circumstances other than those listed above, we will gain your consent or the consent of the person/s with legal authority to act on your behalf. Session notes and records of all other communication are stored in a secure location.

We do our best to cultivate a safe, relaxed and confidential environment when working with our clients. We have a strong commitment to use evidence-based assessment tools and therapies within our consultations – ones that are supported by up-to-date clinical research. We treat clients with compassion and respect in order to help yield effective and positive change.

We utilise a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches including, but not limited to: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-based therapies, Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapies, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotion Coaching, Mentalisation Based Therapy (MBT), Narrative Therapy, Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT – See attached information), Play Therapy, Schema Therapy.

Treatments are individualised for each client. There is really no “typical” therapy session as there are different methods of treatment for different problems. For children, their age and interests will help to guide his or her treatment plan.

It is difficult to say exactly how many sessions you will require, because of the multiple factors involved (e.g., regularity of sessions, the complexity of the problem/s you are experiencing, how effective the recommended treatment is, unexpected complications or life events along the way, etc).

Some people get everything they need within a session or two, others require many more. We will discuss treatment and aim to set goals with you early in our work together, and there will be regular opportunities to collaboratively review how this process is going.

If you have a Medicare Mental Health Care Plan you will be entitled to 10 sessions in a calendar year.

Please talk to us in session if you have any concerns or questions about this process.

Why do I need to pay a deposit?

Missed appointments have a significant impact on both the clinician’s welfare and the overall sustainability of the practice, as the reserved time cannot be offered to other clients in need of support. By requiring a deposit, we aim to encourage commitment to booked appointments, ensure fairness for all clients, and help maintain the stability and availability of our services.