Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference between psychologists and clinical psychologists is their educational background, training, and scope of practice.

Educational Background and Training

• Psychologists: General psychologists typically complete a four-year undergraduate degree in psychology followed by additional training, including a two-year internship or a one-year master's degree plus one year of supervised practice. This training equips them to work in various settings such as mental health, education, and public policy, and they can assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of psychological issues.

• Clinical Psychologists: Clinical psychologists undergo more specialised training. After completing the same foundational education as general psychologists, they pursue a master's or doctorate in clinical psychology, which includes extensive training in assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health disorders. This is followed by a two-year registrar program involving supervised practice and professional development.

Scope of Practice

• Psychologists: General psychologists have a broad scope of practice and can work in diverse fields such as mental health, education, and organisational settings. They can handle a variety of psychological issues but do not specialise in severe mental health conditions.

• Clinical Psychologists: Clinical psychologists focus specifically on mental health conditions, including severe and complex disorders. They are trained to provide in-depth psychological assessments and treatments for a variety of mental health issues, from mild to severe. Their practice often involves working with psychiatric patients and conducting research to develop evidence-based therapies.

While both general and clinical psychologists are trained to provide high-quality care, the choice between them should be based on the individual's specific mental health needs. Clinical psychologists are more suited for treating severe and complex mental health conditions, whereas general psychologists offer a broader range of services across various settings.

Yes, we accept Mental Health Care Plans from your GP.

With a valid referral and mental health care plan from your GP, you can get a Medicare Rebate of $145.25.

No, you do not need a GP referral or Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) to book an appointment. However, if you would like to receive Medicare rebates, you will need a GP referral and MHCP dated before or on the day of your initial appointment.

1. Book an appointment with your GP requesting a MHCP

2. Request for your GP to have your referral and MHCP emailed/faxed to the admin team prior to your appointment. Alternatively, you may send this yourself to the admin team.

3. After 6 sessions, you must return to your GP to request a MHCP Review to claim an additional 4 Medicare rebates. Request for your GP to send this to the admin team, or alternatively you may send it yourself.

4. A maximum of 10 sessions can be claimed within a calendar year

We use a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Exposure Therapy, and Mindfulness.

Yes, our therapists work with young people aged 14 years old and above.

After booking an appointment, we will send you documents to complete online before your initial appointment, including consent and intake forms. Your initial appointment will involve collaborating with your psychologist to develop a shared understanding of what difficulties brought you to therapy, what emotional problems you would like help with, and clarifying goals for what you'd like to change in your life. Your psychologist will then work with you to bring about change and support you to reach your goals through therapeutic techniques that suit your needs.

Standard therapy sessions are 50-minutes in duration. Some psychologists may offer 70 - 90+ minute sessions if appropriate. The length of how long someone remains in therapy is different for everyone. While Medicare subsidises a maximum of 10 sessions per year, this is not always indicative of how long people need therapy. The length of therapy is tailored to suit you and your needs.