What happens in a consulting session?
In the initial session, a comprehensive assessment will be undertaken in order for the consulting psychologist to understand, as fully as possible, the issues or problems that are facing you and any barriers that stand in the way of resolving them. This may involve answering a lot of questions verbally, and possibly the use of psychometric tests. In some cases, the assessment stage may overlap into a second session. Your psychologist will then formulate a proposed course of action based on your presenting issues, your preferences, and your doctor’s recommendations, if appropriate. If you agree with the formulation and the recommendations, the professional relationship can proceed.
In subsequent sessions, the work of therapy will be done in many ways, depending on the mode of therapy that has been agreed upon and the focus of treatment. Regardless of the mode of treatment, the development of an effective therapeutic relationship between you and your consulting psychologist will be paramount, and you can expect your consulting psychologist to treat you with positive regard and empathy in order to facilitate this. A focus on developing coping skills and resilience will also be common to most treatment sessions. You can assist the effectiveness of the treatments by coming to each session in a spirit of openness and willingness to participate in the hard work of therapy.
How long will each session be?
Most sessions will be 55 minutes long unless agreed otherwise beforehand.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions you will need will depend on your presenting problem, the recommendations of your doctor, and your willingness to participate in the therapeutic process. Problems of recent development may see resolution within 2-3 sessions, whilst lifelong patterns of problematic behaviour may take much longer to change. The average number of sessions for most psychological interventions is around 6-8. The number of sessions you are likely to need will be discussed with you at the end of your first session.
How and when do I pay?
All accounts are payable at the end of your session unless other arrangements are agreed to beforehand.
What fees will I pay?
If you are referred by your general practitioner for services under the Better Access to Mental Health Care scheme, you will pay $130 per 55 minute session and receive an on-the-spot Medicare rebate of $81.60.
If you are referred by your general practitioner for Non-Directive Pregnancy Counselling, you will pay $115 per 45 minute session and receive an on-the-spot Medicare rebate of $59.85.
Standard consultation fees are $130 per 55 minute session.
Can I get a refund from Medicare or my health insurance?
If you have been referred to Mindsight Psychology Services by your general practitioner, and they have completed a Mental Health Care Plan, your sessions will be partly covered by Medicare and a rebate will be payable. You will be able to claim your rebate on the spot at the end of your session, meaning you will only be “out of pocket” for the gap amount.
If your session is not covered by Medicare, in some cases you will be able to claim a refund from your private health insurance provider, depending on your level of cover.
Will my compensation claim cover the payment?
If you have been referred to Mindsight Psychology Services by an insurance company or rehabilitation provider after a workplace injury, your insurance company will cover the cost of the session.
Should (or could) I bring my partner/children?
Partners and/or children are able to attend sessions if that is your wish, unless there are strong reasons for them not to do so. You should advise your consulting psychologist at the time of booking the session if any person other than yourself will be attending.
Will you use any psychological tests?
For many problems which come to the attention of psychologists, testing can be an effective way of objectively measuring the level of distress or impairment that a client is experiencing. For example, a simple multiple-choice test could be used to see how severe your symptoms of depression are at the beginning of treatment. Sometimes these tools may be used again later as a simple way of assessing any improvement or decline in your symptoms or problems.
If you have been referred for an assessment after a workplace injury, psychological testing will form an important part of the process, and the results will be communicated back to the relevant parties.
If you have any concerns or questions about psychological testing, please email me at heather@mindsightpsychology.com.au or call me on 0409 224 950 and I will answer your questions directly.
Will I be given any homework?
Although much of what happens “in the room” during therapy may be difficult, the real “hard work” happens outside, in your life. In many cases, “homework” will consist simply of using the insights you have gained in sessions in the way you interact with others and think about yourself, however, in some cases, you may be asked to perform more formal tasks, such as listing particular types of behaviours or situations that occur, or challenging entrenched but problematic thinking patterns. If you have been referred for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) by your treating doctor, or have decided in collaboration with your psychologist that CBT is the appropriate type of treatment for you, homework will be an important part of the therapy process. If you are unable to complete homework tasks for any reason, a different type of therapy may be better for you.
Will any reports be written about me? And will I be able to access them?
Reports may be written about you for several reasons, including, to give information back to your referring doctor or to another treating professional in order to maintain effective treatment, or to communicate back to an insurance company about the impact of a psychological injury. As a general rule, in accordance with Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics, information about a client is usually able to be accessed by the client, except where there is a good reason for not doing so.
Will our discussion be confidential?
In most cases, the information given by clients during a session is confidential and the safety and security of client data is protected to the highest degree possible. However, there are some cases in which client information may be shared with others and this includes;
a) When the client has given consent for the information to be shared. For example, if your psychologist was to write a report for another treating professional in order to make a referral, your express consent would be requested to allow the information to be released.
b) Where the psychologist is legally obliged to do so. For example, if a court of law has subpoenaed the psychologist’s records, the psychologist is bound to oblige.
c) When there is a risk of danger to some other person or persons which could be averted by disclosure.
d) In the course of consulting colleagues, for the purposes of supervision or in the course of professional training, your psychologist may use your personal information, as long as your identity is concealed or your express consent has been given for your information to be used in such a manner.
Will our session be recorded?
Your psychologist may take notes during the course of your session. Occasionally, your psychologist may wish to use a tape recorder or video recorder to record a session. This is likely to be for the purposes of supervision or professional development. If this is the case, your permission and informed consent will be obtained in writing before the session commences.
What happens if I cannot come to my next appointment?
Sometimes unforeseen events occur that prevent clients from attending appointments. If this is the case, please try to give us as much notice as possible in order that your session time may be offered to someone else. If less than 24 hours notice is given, a cancellation fee equivalent to 50% of the session fee will be payable.
Mindsight Psychology Services 