FAQ

I believe in fostering genuine connections with children and parents so they feel seen, heard and understood. I take the time to earn the trust of the child and their parents, demonstrating that I value them, and am able to make sense of their struggles. Treatment combines the qualities, interests and strengths of the individual, with my knowledge and skills as a clinical psychologist.

This is decided in consultation on a case-by-case basis. Younger children are usually seen with their parent at their first session unless they don’t want this to occur. Subsequent sessions may be a combination of individual and parent-child sessions based on an assessment of the child’s needs.

That’s okay! It’s normal for children to feel nervous prior to an appointment. They often feel reassured by attending their first session with a parent, and feel more at ease when they’ve had a chance to meet me and see what the therapeutic space is like (a welcoming space with toys, games, soft furnishings, lego, and other sensory items).

Essential! Children are little people whose brains and bodies are still developing under their parent’s love and care. Children need help from the big people around them – parents, teachers, and other involved adults – to help them learn about their feelings and how to respond to them. Children also need help to learn and practice using new skills.

The initial assessment session you attend is for 1.5 hours. (This longer session allows time to understand of your presenting concerns, to complete a symptom review and identify treatment goals).

Each session after this is 50 minutes in duration.

The length of treatment depends on the severity of a child’s symptoms, how much parents and schools are able to support the child’s treatment, and how consistently treatment recommendations are applied outside of sessions. There will be discussions about your child’s progress throughout their treatment, with adjustments being made to the number and frequency of sessions that your child needs until their therapy is concluded.

You don’t need a referral for your child to be seen, but a referral from your doctor (known as a Mental Health Treatment Plan) will enable you to claim a rebate through Medicare instead of paying full fees. Another option is to ask your Private Health Fund if you are covered for psychology.

Medicare offers rebates for up to 10 sessions in a calendar year. The Medicare rebate for a standard 50 minute clinical psychology consultation is currently $136.35. The rebate will cover a portion of your session, so you will still need to pay the gap.

To access the Medicare rebate, you need a referral from a your doctor called a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Some paediatricians and psychiatrists can also write Mental Health Treatment Plans. It is recommended that you advise that you are seeking a Mental Health Care Plan at the time you book an appointment with your doctor, as they may require your child to attend extended consultation time to complete the plan.

Psychologists use non-pharmacological interventions such as talk and play-based therapies, and cannot prescribe medication.

A Psychiatrist is a medical practitioner who has specialised in the treatment of mental illness and can prescribe medication.