FAQ
It is completely normal to want to know what to expect before you embark on this journey of growth. We have provided some information below for your comfort and surety as you decide whether our services at Evergreen Clinical Psychology is right for you.
If you have any remaining questions, please get feel free to get in touch and one of us will respond to you as soon as possible.
What should I expect from an initial appointment?
The relationship you form with your psychologist can be one of the most important aspects of any therapeutic help seeking.
During the first appointment we begin to build the therapeutic relationship and allow you to get a feel for the therapy process. This is an important session that will also help us get on the same page as we begin identifying the scope of your current concerns and discuss potential approaches and goals.
How long are the appointments?
Sessions are traditionally 50-minutes in duration.
From time to time you may wish to work with your psychologist to tailor this, based on your individual needs.
How often should I come?
It is understandable to be curious about this and the answer is - it depends. The relationship you form with your therapist is one of the most important considerations.
You should not ever feel pressured into services with service providers. When making decisions around this, it is useful to consider levels of current challenge when considering this question. We will work with you to set a frequency that supports you and your individual support needs.
Whether you aim to attend weekly, fortnightly, or longer, we are happy to work with you to create a plan that fits your schedule and budget and therapeutic goals.
Do I have to have a referral?
In short, no. You do not require a referral to see a psychologist in Australia. However, if you wish to claim under the Better Access scheme through Medicare or are a Veteran - a referral will be required in order to access government rebates. Medicare rebates Clinical Psychology services at the rate of $137.05 which will be returned to you through Medicare processes, generally within a day of processing. Please see your GP today to discuss access to a mental health treatment plan or DVA referral.
How much do you charge?
At present, within-hour sessions with our Psychologists are billed at $240 for a traditional 50-minute session, well below the APS recommended rates of $300. For private clients and those wishing to access the Medicare rebate, billing will be done on the day and the rebate processed after the session.
Service delivered by | Fee | Rebate available * | Out of pocket |
|---|---|---|---|
Dom - Clinical Psychologist | $240 | $141.85 | $98.15 |
Saturday appointments and after 5PM weekdays | +$10 | | |
3rd-party payers** e.g.: EAP; MAIC; etc | $311 | $0 | $0 |
* Please note, to access the rebate, Medicare requires full payment prior to approving any rebated amounts.
**Reflecting the significant additional workload involved in the treatment, management, and liaising with 3rd-party billers, Evergreen Clinical Psychology charges these services in line with recommended fee for services, set by Australian Psychological Society (APS) or the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi) - whichever is lowest. Current rates as set by the APS are $311; current rates recommended by AAPi are $315. For more information, please see https://psychology.org.au/psychology/about-psychology/what-it-costs
We are not a bulk billing clinic; however, Dom commits to a sliding scale system for some clients in financial need and have opened a wait list for a limited number of appointments available at a lower rate.
Please get in touch if you wish to discuss this further.
What type of billing do you take?
Evergreen Clinical Psychology currently accepts private billers, the NDIS, and offers rebated sessions through Medicare with a valid mental health treatment plan from your GP, Psychiatrist, or a Paediatrician.
Dom additionally works with Veterans under the DVA scheme, and through Worksafe Queensland. For other payment providers, such as private health insurers, we can provide you a receipt for services for your to claim independently. Get in touch to see how we can help you.
What are your hours?
We offer a mix of in hours and after hours appointments where needed. Our hours and days are currently flexible and we will work with you to set the best time that is mutually beneficial. Get in touch to discuss the time that suits you best.