Appointment information
Find everything you need to know about appointments, fees, Medicare rebates and what to expect from your visit.
Find everything you need to know about appointments, fees, Medicare rebates and what to expect from your visit.
Our consulting hours range from 7:30am to 6:00pm on weekdays, but are typically between 8:00am and 5:00pm.
For adult psychotherapy, HeartSoundMind Consulting likes to offer three initial consultation appointments. These allow the psychologist to get a sense of what you are seeking help with, and to begin to form an impression of the fit of the relationship, that you and the psychologist can work together on what you require assistance with. We prefer that these initial appointments take place across consecutive weeks.
The therapeutic fit and relationship are important for psychotherapy. After these initial consultation appointments, you and the psychologist will determine whether treatment will continue, and they will be able to give you an idea of what this might entail. Note that these initial consultation appointments are often experienced as therapeutic in themselves, and are illustrative of the style the psychologist would take with you in further work.
For child and adolescent psychotherapy, the initial consultation appointments may differ, depending on a number of factors including age and need.
A typical therapeutic appointment is 50 minutes in length. While the frequency of sessions depends on the client and the nature of the concern, we recommend more regular therapy, as this enables more consistent and focused work.
Sessions are offered specifically for you. This means we require notice if you cannot attend, and there is a missed-session charge.
Appointments are most often offered in person, but can be offered via telehealth if required. Please discuss this with your psychologist.
We have consciously made the decision not to expect in-person payment at the completion of your appointment, because for some people this can be challenging at the end of an appointment.
The fee is payable within seven (7) days of the appointment and can be paid via electronic funds transfer (EFT) or credit card. You will be issued with an electronic invoice.
If you have a referral from your General Practitioner (GP) or Paediatrician with a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), you will receive a rebate from Medicare (if you have a Medicare card), usually for up to 10 appointments in a calendar year.
You may also be able to claim a portion of the fee through a private health fund (usually after exhausting Medicare rebates) or the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Please note that with NDIS, the maximum fee they will pay is less than the fee charged for therapeutic appointments, so a gap payment by you will be required.
HeartSoundMind Consulting does not provide a crisis service. If there is an emergency, please dial 000. Alternatilvy contact your doctor, or the emergency department of your local hospital. Or contact: