HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

The number of appointments will depend on the severity of the challenges you want to address. If you have a particular time frame in mind, let your therapist know. 

When you start seeing a therapist, you may need weekly sessions to build momentum for change, but not necessarily. Once positive change starts to become apparent, appointments will be scheduled to suit you and the work that needs doing. The time between appointments allows you to consolidate the progress made so far on your own.

Yes, you can do therapy online. It’s often just as effective as in-person therapy for issues like anxiety and depression. At Psychology Perspective, we offer online therapy for clients across Australia. Sessions take place over our encrypted software, so session content is secure. You don’t need to download anything; we send you a link, follow the prompts, and you’re in.
Online therapy is a great option if you prefer meeting with a therapist from the comfort of your home and want to avoid a commute.
However, if you're dealing with more complex mental health issues, in-person therapy might be a better fit, as a therapist can provide more comprehensive support.

Although appointment length can vary, appointments are usually 50 minutes but can be changed to suit you.

Information shared during appointments is confidential and cannot be disclosed without your consent. However, there are some legal limitations to confidentiality, which your therapist will discuss with you in your first session. Your therapist will ask you to sign a consent form if there is a need to discuss information about you with another person (such as a GP, lawyer or third-party billing source). For more information, please see our privacy policy.

You’ll often have a gut sense of whether your therapist is a good fit - you know when you like someone and when you feel comfortable around them. If your therapist is a good fit, you’re likely to want to go to appointments, and the work you do at appointments will feel productive or valuable. Feeling free to express your real feelings and thoughts is crucial, too. Please let our helpful reception staff know if you think the fit between you and your Psychology Perspective therapist is not a good fit; we’d like to be able to suggest an alternate option, either at the Psychology Perspective or elsewhere. A strong therapeutic alliance is essential because you’re unlikely to make ground if it isn’t.   

Psychiatrists and psychologists work in the area of mental health, but there are some significant differences between the two professions.

• Psychiatrists are medically trained doctors who have specialised in the field of psychiatry. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications to treat mental illnesses.
• Psychologists generally have at least six years of training in the field of psychological treatments for mental health issues. Psychologists are focused on improving a person’s mental health without medication. There is considerable evidence that psychological therapies are effective in assisting individuals with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Many people indicate that they would prefer to try psychological approaches to address their problem before considering medication, but sometimes, both together are helpful. When needed, psychologists also work in collaboration with GPs or psychiatrists to ensure their client gets the best possible treatment.

Counsellors can help with concerns and difficulties in everyday life; they can help you understand thought patterns, behaviours, and emotions and explore why certain behaviours and thoughts feel problematic. A qualified counsellor must have at least a certificate in counselling (preferably a diploma). The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) requires its members to undergo a minimum of 350 hours of training and 50 hours of supervision over a minimum of 3 years.

The practice of psychology is regulated by APHRA, which is one of the reasons why the cost of psychologists can be claimed by Medicare while other therapists cannot. Psychologists can help in the same areas as counsellors, but they are also involved with more challenging issues such as addiction and other complex mental health conditions. A psychologist might be a good choice if you have a formal diagnosis. Psychology requires tertiary education, with a minimum of six years of training and one to two years of supervised clinical practice after university study.

A psychologist is not a medical doctor, but a psychiatrist is. A psychiatrist often works to diagnose and treat serious mental health issues, such as schizophrenia.

When considering a psychotherapist, it's important to note that they don't necessarily have formal training. If you plan to see a psychotherapist, perhaps inquire about their formal qualifications.

Therapy is a collaborative process with our therapists and does not involve laying on a couch, although our furnishing are especially comfortable!

Talking about your dreams is still common in therapy, but whether you talk about them depends on the therapist's approach and the type of therapy being provided. Behavioural approaches to treatment (e.g., CBT) will almost never involve talking about dreams unless you’re experiencing distressing dreams as a result of trauma. Cognitive therapists may explore dreams to better understand your distress but will not focus on them. Many people complete therapy without ever discussing their dreams.

You can see a psychologist without a referral. However, you will need a Mental Health Care Plan from your Doctor if you would like to claim the Medicare rebate. You cannot get a Medicare rebate for seeing a counsellor, so a GP referral is not required.

All the psychologists at Psychology Perspective are Medicare registered, so you can claim the Medicare rebate as long as you have a Mental Health Care Plan from your doctor. However, there will be a gap because we are not a bulk bill practice. Medicare rebate amounts are under our Fees and Appointments tab.

Cover for psychology and counselling depends on your fund and level of cover. For psychology, some funds require that you use the sessions available under Medicare before claiming under the health fund. It is best to check with your particular fund about your level of cover and whether you need to access the Medicare sessions before claiming under your fund for psychology sessions. Several funds cover counselling, but checking with your particular fund is best.

As a private client, you don’t need a referral. You can call a psychology practice of your choice and make an appointment. If you want to access sessions under Medicare (for a rebate) or WorkCover, you must see your doctor for a Mental Health Care Plan or WorkCover referral. When you see your doctor for a Mental Health Care Plan or a WorkCover referral, your doctor may recommend a psychologist, or you can request a psychologist of your choice. 

No, Medicare does not cover relationship counselling, so there is no rebate for relationship counselling. Medicare does, however, provide rebates for sessions addressing;

Alcohol use disorder

Anxiety 

Attention deficit 

Bereavement 

Bipolar 

Depression

Drug use 

Eating disorders

Obsessive compulsive disorder

Panic disorder

Phobias

Posttraumatic stress

Psychosis

Schizophrenia

Sexual disorders

Sleep problems