FAQ’s – The Psych Professionals

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 three easily accessible and convenient locations in Springwood,Thornlands & Bracken Ridge. We offer after hours appointments for clients unable to attend during the day and telehealth sessions across Australia nationwide. 

People 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.

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 referral from a General Practitioner or Psychiatrist is required.

If you are referred by a third party (e.g. WorkCover) claim/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 reach out to our team at (07) 3823 2230,  via email contact@psychprofessionals.com.au or book online via our website.

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.

Yes, we have a range of appointment times, including sessions until 8pm weekdays and on Saturdays. Availability differs between clinicians, so please get in touch to discuss your availability so we can match you with a suitable clinician.

• Yes. For parents who want to engage their child under 13 years old, we always start with a parent-only session. This is so that the parent(s) and psychologist can have an in depth and open discussion about the child’s developmental history, family system, history, strengths and challenges and more. 
• Parents of children who are 13 years and older are welcome to attend the first appointment with their young person and the clinician will support with the most appropriate approach to the initial session. 
• For some young people, they may want their parent or carer to be present in some of their appointments with them. 
• Some parents may also engage in their own individual counselling support, which is usually held with a different clinician to their child.

• This is up to the experience of the psychologist. At The Psych Professionals, we support children from 5 years of age.

• This can vary depending on clinician, however the average wait time at The Psych Professionals is 1-3 weeks.

This usually depends on who you see and appointment. However at The Psych Professionals, the cost to see a psychologist ranges from $130 for Provisional Psychologists and therapists, from $210 for Registered Psychologists and for assessments a quote is required. If you have a GP Referral and Mental Health Care Plan, you may be eligible for a medicare rebate which can significantly reduce the out of pocket costs. Please reach out to our team and we will discuss the applicable fees for the clinician you’re matched with at (07) 3823 2230, via email contact@psychprofessionals.com.au or book online via our website.

Most people will obtain a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from their General Practitioner (GP). Speak with your GP surgery’s reception to book an appointment with their GP to discuss a MHCP and referral to a psychologist. We recommend asking for a longer appointment to ensure there is adequate time to complete the MHCP with the GP.
GPs will usually send the referral and MHCP directly to the Psychology Practice, however if they have also given you a copy, it’s helpful to keep this somewhere safe so that you can give this to your clinician.
You don’t need to wait until you have a MHCP from your GP before you reach out. You’re always welcome to get in touch, discuss availability and even book an appointment, because you don’t need to have a MHCP in order to see us. The MHCP and referral from the GP simply allows you to obtain Medicare rebates. For more information reach out to our team at (07) 3823 2230, via email contact@psychprofessionals.com.au or book online via our website.