Frequently Asked Questions

Getting a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is straightforward:

1. Book a longer appointment with your GP - Tell them you'd like to discuss your mental health and get a MHCP
2. Complete an assessment - Your GP will ask about your mental health and may give you a questionnaire
3. Receive your plan and referral - Your GP will create the plan and provide a referral to a psychologist
4. Request your appointment - Contact us with your referral details to request your first appointment

No, we are a telehealth-only practice, in some circumstances we can offer home visits to NDIS funded participants only.

Yes! As a registered psychologist, Meg can provide telehealth services to clients anywhere in Australia. This includes all states and territories.

The only requirement is that you need to be physically located in Australia during the session for legal and insurance purposes.

Your first session will include:

• Getting to know you - We'll discuss what brought you to therapy and your goals
• Understanding your background - Relevant history, current situation, support systems
• Exploring your needs - What type of support would be most helpful
• Discussing our approach - How we'll work together and what to expect
• Planning next steps - Frequency of sessions and initial goals

It's normal to feel nervous - we'll go at your pace and make sure you feel comfortable.

Before your first session:

• Complete the intake forms we'll send you
• Test your technology 10-15 minutes early
• Find a private, comfortable space
• Have water and tissues nearby
• Think about what you'd like to get out of therapy (but don't stress if you're unsure)
• Bring any questions you have about the process

Don't worry about having everything figured out - that's what we're here to work on together!

No, we don't offer bulk billing. As Meg is managing her own health conditions, it is not sustainable for her to offer sessions at this price.

No, you cannot use both NDIS and Medicare funding for the same session. You must choose one funding source per session.

We can help you determine which funding source is most appropriate for your situation and goals.

Our cancellation policy is:

• Less than 48-hours notice: Full session fee charged
• 48–72 hours notice: 50% of session fee charged
• More than 72-hours notice: No charge
• Genuine emergencies: Considered on a case-by-case basis

Please Note: Medicare rebates cannot be claimed for sessions that are cancelled or not attended, so the full fee would be payable.

We understand that life happens, especially when you're dealing with mental health challenges. If you're having a difficult time, please call us to discuss options.

With a Mental Health Care Plan, you can claim $96.65 per session back from Medicare:

• You pay: $210 for the session
• Medicare rebates: $96.65
• Your out-of-pocket cost: $113.35

How to claim:

• If you're registered for Medicare online, we can process the rebate immediately
• Otherwise, we'll provide you with an invoice to claim manually via Medicare
• You get 10 sessions per calendar year (resets January 1st)
• After 6 sessions, you need a GP review to access the remaining 4

Psychologists:

• Provide therapy and counseling
• Help you develop coping strategies and skills
• Focus on behavior, thoughts, and emotions
• Cannot prescribe medication (in Australia)
• Usually see clients for longer-term therapy

Psychiatrists:

• Medical doctors who specialize in mental health
• Can prescribe and manage medication
• Often focus on medication management
• Usually shorter appointments
• May also provide some therapy

Many people see both - a psychologist for therapy and a psychiatrist for medication if needed.

This varies greatly depending on:

• Your goals and what you want to work on
• The complexity of your situation
• How you respond to therapy
• External factors and life changes
• Your preferred pace of work

Some people benefit from short-term focused work (6-12 sessions), while others prefer longer-term support. We'll regularly check in about your progress and discuss whether to continue, take breaks, or wrap up.

Remember: You're in control. You can end therapy at any time, and we can always resume if needed later.

Yes, everything we discuss is confidential. However, there are some legal limits:

We must break confidentiality if:

• You're at immediate risk of harming yourself
• You're at risk of harming someone else
• We're required by law (e.g., court order)
• You give written consent to share information

We'll always:

• Discuss our concerns with you first when possible
• Only share the minimum information necessary
• Work with you to keep you safe
• Explain our decision-making process

These situations are rare, and our priority is always your safety and wellbeing.

We use an integrative approach, drawing from various evidence-based therapies based on your needs:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Developing psychological flexibility and living according to your values
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills: Emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills
• Somatic approaches: Working with the body and nervous system
• Trauma-informed care: Understanding how past experiences impact current functioning

All approaches are adapted to be neuro-affirming and culturally responsive. We'll discuss what feels right for you.

We work with clients aged 16 and over. For younger children, we recommend finding a psychologist who specializes in child and adolescent therapy.

If you're a parent looking for support around your child's neurodivergence or LGBTQIA+ identity, we'd be happy to work with you as the parent to develop strategies and understanding.

Don't worry! Technology issues happen. Here's what we do:

• Video fails: We'll switch to phone audio to continue the session
• Internet drops out: Keep your phone nearby - we'll call you
• Audio issues: We can use the chat function to communicate while troubleshooting
• Complete failure: We'll reschedule without any cancellation fee

You won't lose your session time due to technical difficulties. We always have backup plans!

Yes, you can use your phone, though we recommend a computer or tablet when possible for the best experience.

Absolutely! If having a support person present would be helpful, they're very welcome to join. This might include:

• Partners or spouses
• Family members
• Friends
• Support workers or carers
• Interpreters

Just let us know beforehand so we can plan the session accordingly. We can also have them join for part of the session if that's preferred.

While video can help us connect better, it's not mandatory. Your comfort is most important.

We can work with what you have! Options include:

• Use headphones so others can't hear our conversation
• Sit in your car for privacy
• Use a white noise app outside your door
• Schedule sessions when others are out
• Ask household members to give you space during the session
• Turn your camera off if you're worried about background

Let us know your situation and we'll help you find solutions that work.