FAQ

Our team of psychologists are highly qualified, uniquely trained and very experienced.  We are committed to and passionate about providing excellent psychological services.  We offer appointments across two easily accessible and convenient locations in Cornubia and Cleveland.  Our Cornubia (Loganholme) practice offers after hours appointments for clients unable to attend during the day.

People from diverse backgrounds seek counselling for many reasons. Psychological counselling may be useful if you:

• Have a persistent feeling of sadness or depression
• Often feel stressed or anxious
• Would like to improve your relationship with others
• Lack self-confidence or assertiveness
• Feel suicidal or have thoughts of harming yourself
• Are struggling to balance work and family commitments
• Are having trouble in making an important decision
• Are worried about the health or well-being of someone close to you

All our psychologists hold tertiary qualifications in psychology. In addition, we undertake continuing professional development which ensures we are able to provide you with the best and latest treatment approaches.  All our psychologists are also fully registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and most are members of the Australian Psychological Society.

Before your therapy session begins, we may ask you to fill out administrative forms in order to properly record your data. You may also be asked to complete some psychological assessment forms to establish a starting point from which our psychologists can work.  During the first session we endeavour to firstly understand your personal circumstances, difficulties and challenges prior to working out your unique treatment plan.  We do this in a safe, relaxed and confidential environment.  We advocate evidence based principles within our consultations and treat you with compassion and respect in order to yield effective and positive change.  There is really no “typical” therapy session as there are different methods of treatment for different problems.

This varies but normally a session lasts for about an hour and clients attend between 6 to 10 sessions.  Simple issues may take less time, more complex issues will necessarily require more time.

You do not need a referral to see a psychologist.  However, in order to access Medicare Rebates a General Practitioner or Psychiatrist referral is required.  If you are referred by a third party (e.g. WorkCover) referral information must be made available at the time of making the appointment.  Please see our web page on Types of Referrals for more information or feel free to ring either of our practices (Loganholme: (07) 3801 1772; Cleveland: (07) 3823 2230).

As part of the federal government’s Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative, eligible clients can receive a rebate from Medicare for psychological services. In order to obtain a rebate from Medicare, your General Practitioner or Psychiatrist must assess you as eligible to receive a Mental Health Care Plan following which you can be referred to a psychologist.  Once a Mental Health Care Plan has been completed by your doctor, you will be able to obtain a Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.

The Australian Association for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy defines Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) as is a relatively short term, focused approach to the treatment of many types of emotional, behavioural and psychiatric problems (www.aacbtwa.org.au).  “It is a collaborative and individualised program that helps individuals to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and learn or relearn healthier skills and habits.  It examines all elements that maintain a problem, including our thoughts (cognitions), feelings, behaviour and the environment.  CBT has been practised widely for more than 30 years. It has been research extensively, and has demonstrated effectiveness with a variety of emotional difficulties” (www.aacbtwa.org.au).

We understand that clients are often concerned about their privacy and confidentiality.  Any information disclosed to us (including case notes, records, and psychological test results) is confidential and cannot be disclosed without the client’s consent.  If there is any need to disclose information from files with another professional (for example a medical doctor, lawyer, or third party billing source), the client will be consulted first and asked to sign a release of information document.  There are some legal limitations to confidentiality, however, which your psychologist will discuss with you during your first session.

Our Cornubia (Loganholme) practice currently offers appointments Monday to Thursday between the hours of 8am and 9pm and Friday and Saturday between 8am and 5pm.  Our Cleveland practice currently offers appointments Mondays to Thursdays between 8am and 9pm and Fridays and Saturdays between 8am and 5pm.