What does a psychologist do?
A psychologist can do a variety of things from assessments, diagnosing and therapy through Telehealth. They use evidence-based therapies (research based) to help people to make changes in their lives to better cope with stress, conflict and other issues. It often involves doing some tasks out of the session, to try out new skills.
What are the office hours?
SGW Psychology operates Tuesday to Saturday, 8.00am–8.00pm AWST. We offer after hour and weekend appointments.
Do I need a referral?
Yes. You can refer yourself or someone else, e.g. a doctor, counsellor, support person, social worker, etc. can do it for you. If you see your GP first, you may be eligible for a mental health treatment plan where you will be able to receive a Medicare rebate (a return of $96.65 after your appointment).
What is a mental health treatment plan (MHTP)?
If you have a referral from a GP or a psychiatrist for a Mental Health Treatment Plan you will be eligible to receive a Medicare rebate for your sessions. Please go to the section below for details on current Medicare rebate rates. You need to have a GP written referral to SGW Psychology Service and GP Mental Health Treatment Plan to obtain Medicare rebates.
Please note, you cannot claim a rebate from Medicare and your private health insurer for the same session. You’ll need to choose which funder to use for your rebate.
A valid referral under a Mental Health Treatment Plan gives you a Medicare rebate of $96.65 for Psychology sessions of 50+ minutes, including telehealth. If you are claiming under Medicare, after your psychology session you can elect for SGW Psychology to submit your Medicare claim on your behalf. Medicare will transfer the funds to your bank account within 1 -2 business days.
For co-payment Medicare items, you need to pay the full fee before you receive your rebate.
Please note, that you will need to meet with your GP for a review of your Mental Health Treatment Plan after attending six psychology sessions. Your then decide with your GP whether you would like to be referred for a further four sessions.
Most private health insurers offer a rebate for psychology services, however the amount returned will depend on which level of cover you have. Please contact your individual insurance provider for further information about your individual coverage.
What is telehealth?
SGW Psychology offers online counselling Australia wide also called Telehealth, using a secure video call platform.
One of the main benefits of Telehealth is the convenience of accessing high quality treatment from home, without needing to travel to an appointment. Also, if the problems you face requires help from a psychologist with experience in that area, you can access their services without geographical limitations.
How much do sessions cost?
SGW Psychology is a private practice, and fees will be charged. Fees are payable prior to your appointment through SGW Psychology online banking.
Fees are as follows and if you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) you will get a Medicare rebate:
- First consultation/assessment (60-70 minute session): $210 (rebate from Medicare: $96.65)
- Follow-up consultation (50minute session): $190 per session (rebate from Medicare: $96.65)
The current recommended fee for psychologists is $311.00 by the Australian Psychological Society (ASP) for a standard psychology session 45-60 minutes. SGW Psychology aims to keep costs as low as possible for all clients.
Currently, Medicare will not allow you to pay ‘just the gap’ fee, so you will have to pay the full fee and if you have Medicare Easy claim set up, we can claim it for you, and you will get the rebate directly into your account. If not, you can take you invoice to a Medicare office and lodge them over the counter.
Are sessions confidential?
All enquiries and psychology sessions are private and confidential. There are times when information will need to be disclosed and these include: if it is subpoenaed by a court; if the clinician believes you or another person is at serious risk to life, health, or safety; or required by law; or if your prior permission has been given to provide a written report or discuss with another professional or agency, e.g. your GP.
Please note that if you have been referred by a GP and have a Mental Health Treatment Plan, a psychology summary will be provided to your GP after 6 sessions and 10 sessions to enable a coordinated approach to your care.
Paper and electronic file notes are held securely, with password protection, and stored in locked filing cabinets to ensure no other party can access these files. Psychology files are held for seven years and then destroyed.
How long is an appointment?
All appointments generally last approximately 50-60 minutes. The first appointment may go for longer, but you will be informed when booking.
How many appointments will I need?
This is entirely dependent on your needs, the presenting issue and you. This can be best discussed during the initial appointment.
How often will I have to have sessions for?
This is entirely up to you and your individual circumstances. Most people have recurring appointments every fortnight or each month. You can talk about the time between sessions during your first appointment. Sometimes the time between sessions can change depending on your individual circumstances at the time.
What is the difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?
There are several differences between the two types of mental health professionals. Generally, there are two main differences. Psychologists are trained at university in understanding human behaviour and psychological issues while psychiatrists first complete a medical degree and then specialise in mental health issues. Only psychiatrists can prescribe medications to treat your mental health.
Do you charge cancellation fees?
SGW Psychology has a 48-hour cancellation and rescheduling policy. This means that if you need to change or cancel your appointment you must arrange this no later than 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment time.
This gives us enough time to offer your appointment to other clients. If you cancel or change your appointment within 48 hours and it is not an emergency, you will be charged the full fee for this session. Please note that Medicare and private health insurers do not provide rebates for cancelled or unattended appointments.
Do you see clients from NDIS, work cover, Victims of Crime?
Sorry, SGW Psychology is not registered to provide services under NDIS, Workcover, or Victims of Crime.
However, if you have a self-managed NDIS fund then yes, SGW Psychology can offer you treatment. There is no change in session fees if you are using a NDIS self-managed fund.
Can I record my session?
It is best to discuss this with your psychologist. Usually, if there are things you need to do or remember the psychologist will ask you to write it down or they could text it to you after the session.
How can I book an appointment with you?
Please go to the contact page to contact me and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
