General Questions
What should I expect at my first session?
Is it very common to feel a little anxious about the initial session. People often wonder what will happen and what questions may be asked. The aim of the first session is to get an understanding of what has brought you to therapy, the difficulties you are currently experiencing and what difficulties, if any, you have experienced in the past. This will enable your psychologist to develop and initial plan on how they may be able to assist. The first session is also an opportunity to make sure that the psychologist is the best person to assist you and that you feel comfortable with them.
How long do sessions run for?
Sessions generally run for 50 minutes. During your initial session, we will talk about how often we should meet and what you want your goals are for therapy. The number of sessions initially recommended and ultimately engaged in, depends on a lot of factors. Please note that your therapist may recommend that you have 90 minutes sessions. This may be the case if undergoing exposure therapy, EMDR or couples counselling. Please note that 90-minute sessions attract an additional fee and Medicare does not provide an additional rebate amount for a session that exceeds 50min.
What are your fees?
At VPC, there is variability in fees depending on the psychologist you chose to see and when you see them (during business hours vs after hours or on the weekend). Given this variability it is recommended that you check out our psychologists (link) page to see your psychologists fee structure.
Fees are currently well under the Australian Psychological Society’s recommended fee of $300 for a 50-minute session.
Fees for Clinical Supervision as of the 1st of January 2024 are $210 plus GST for 50 minutes.
When are consultations available?
The Victorian Psychology Clinic currently operates Monday to Saturday during Business Hours and Limited After-Hours Appointments during the week. Every psychologist consults at different times. After-hours appointments are available but are heavily booked in advance. If you are after an after-hours appointment, please let our friendly admin team know. Appointments are available face-to-face in Essendon or via telehealth Nation Wide.
Can different family members or friends see the same therapist?
At VPC, we think it’s best that different family members and friends see different therapists (the exception being in couples counselling or in family-based treatment). This is for a variety of reasons and pertains to our Code of Ethics as Psychologists.
Can I get my notes from my previous psychologist transferred to my new psychologist?
Yes of course, you will just need to ask your previous psychologist to sign a release form so that they consent to releasing your information. Sometimes written information is provided, however it is more common for psychologists to have a verbal handover for a two-way conversation.
Can my psychologist offer me outside session support?
Psychologists at VPC are unable to offer outside session support as they are often in sessions with other clients and we believe it’s best to explore any concerns in session. If you require a sooner appointment with psychologist, please call or email our support team and your name can be added onto your psychologist’s cancellation list.
Do you offer any crisis support?
VPC is unable to provide any crisis support. If you are in crisis, please contact Lifeline on 131114, Kids Helpline (5 – 25 years) on 1800 55 1800, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, or 000 in an emergency.
Medicare/Mental Health Treatment Plan Related Questions
What Medicare rebates are available for psychological services?
Under the Australian Government’s Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative, if you have a diagnosed mental health condition, Medicare rebates are available for psychological treatment by registered psychologists.
To access Medicare-rebated sessions, you will need a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), which will enable you to be referred to a psychologist. A MHTP is a plan for individuals with a mental health condition/s.
If eligible, your GP will need to create the MHTP. As such, the first step in seeking a MHTP is to Book an appointment with your GP. We would recommend making a double appointment or at the time of booking, advise the reception staff that you are scheduling the appointment for a MHTP. This is to help in ensuring that your GP has enough time to discuss your concerns and to determine if you are eligible for the plan.
Any GP in Australia can create a MHTP but it’s important that you feel comfortable with your GP so that you can share what has been occurring for you. If you don’t have a regular GP, it may be of benefit to contact a local GP clinic and enquire as to whether there is a GP available, who has an interest in mental health.
Can I receive a rebate for sessions?
You don’t need a referral to see a psychologist, but you may be eligible for a rebate through Medicare if your GP refers you under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, Chronic Disease Management Plan or an Eating Disorders Treatment Plan.
As of the 1st of November 2023, the Medicare rebate for a 50-minute session with a Clinical Psychologist is $137.05 and for a Registered Psychologist the rebate is $93.35.
Alternatively, if you have private health insurance with psychology listed on your extras. you may be eligible to claim a rebate directly with your private health insurer.
Please note you cannot claim both Medicare and private health for a session.
What mental health conditions can be treated by a psychologist under the Better Access Initiative?
A diagnosis of a mental health condition is required in order to access services under the Better Access Initiative. Your GP will usually make a provisional mental health diagnosis. Your psychologist will then conduct a more thorough assessment.
The Better Access initiative enables access to psychological treatment for the following mental health conditions:
- Alcohol use disorder
- Adjustment disorder
- Anxiety Disorders
- Attention deficit disorder
- Bereavement disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Chronic fatigue
- Conduct disorder
- Co-occurring anxiety and depression
- Depression
- Dissociative disorders
- Substance use disorders (excluding tobacco use disorder)
- Eating disorders
- Mental disorder, not otherwise specified
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Psychotic disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Sexual disorders
- Sleep problems
- Unexplained physical complaints
Do I need a Mental Health Treatment Plan to see a psychologist?
No, you do not need a MHTP to see a psychologist. A MHTP enables you access to Medicare-rebates for psychology sessions. There are alternative funding options for psychological sessions that may be relevant for you, including DVA, TAC, Workcover and NDIS. Alternatively, you may elect to see a psychologist privately, in which you would pay the session fees.
Please note that your Private Health Insurance may also include rebates/coverage for psychological services. As each Insurer and Policy is different, it would be beneficial to check with your insurance agency as to whether you are applicable for rebated sessions.
I have a Mental Health Treatment Plan, will the GP identify a psychologist for me, or can I choose my own?
Your GP may recommend a particular psychologist who can assist you, however, you are also welcome to choose your own psychologist. Even if the referral letter is addressed to a specific psychologist or clinic, a psychologist of your choosing is able to accept the referral.
How many Medicare-rebated sessions will I receive?
If you have a MHTP, you can access up to ten Medicare-rebated individual psychology sessions in a calendar year. You will also be able to access up to 10 Medicare-rebated group therapy sessions. Group therapy sessions do not count towards the number of Medicare-rebated individual therapy sessions.
With regards to individual therapy session, you will not initially be eligible for the total 10 Medicare-rebated sessions at once. Rather, when you are first referred to see a psychologist, you will be referred for up to six sessions. After this time, your psychologist will prepare a summary letter for your GP and may recommend another four sessions. It is at this time that you need to see your GP for a Mental Health Care Plan re-referral. During this review your GP will ask about how you are progressing in your sessions and may grant you to have another four sessions.
I have a Mental Health Treatment Plan, do I have to pay for sessions?
If you have a MHTP, you will be eligible for Medicare rebates for psychological services, under the Better Access Initiative. As such, you will receive a rebate for eligible psychological sessions you have paid for. There are some psychologists who may bulk-bill, meaning that the psychologist bills Medicare directly for a service provided and accesses the Medicare benefit as full payment for the service. However, more commonly, the cost of a psychological session will be greater than the Medicare rebate. In these instances, you will pay the cost of the session and then be eligible to claim the Medicare rebate.
As of the 1st of November the Medicare Rebate for a psychological session with a Clinical Psychologist is $137.05 and the Medicare Rebate for a psychological session with a Registered Psychologist is $93.60.
Please note that if you spend a certain amount in a calendar year to see doctors, specialists, allied health or undergo testing, you may be eligible for a higher Medicare rebate, if you reach Medicare Safety Net Thresholds. More information regarding Medicare Safety Net Thresholds is available at the following website: What are the Medicare Safety Nets thresholds – Medicare Safety Nets – Services Australia
Will my Mental Health Treatment Plan expire?
A MHTP does not expire and a referral is valid until the referred number of sessions have been accessed.
From the beginning of the calendar year, the number of potential Medicare-rebated individual psychology sessions resets to 10. If you have a valid MHTP, you will be able to continue with your treatment without a new plan, so long as you have sessions available to you under a current referral.
When Do I Need To Get A New Mental Health Treatment Plan?
Significant changes in your mental health may indicate that you need a new MHTP. Your treatment plan should be regularly reviewed with your GP, to ensure you have been referred to the most appropriate services.
Funding Questions
Do you accept Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Health Cards?
DVA Health Cards (Gold and White) are accepted as payment upon a GP referral.
Do you accept Workcover?
Some of our psychologists are registered with Workcover and accept Workcover referrals. With Workcover referrals, you will need to pay for your session privately and then you will be provided with a receipt so that you can claim back your payment from your insurer.
Do you accept NDIS?
We currently only accept self-managed referrals for NDIS. If you are self-managed, you can claim back your payments from the NDIS after paying for your sessions privately.
Do you accept TAC referrals?
We currently don’t accept TAC referrals
Do you write court reports?
Psychologists at VPC do not write court reports.
What about other reports?
As part of Medicare requirements, psychologists are required to report to GPs if you have been referred via Medicare. You are not charged for these reports. If however you require another report, your psychologist will be able to advise you if they are able to provide this report and the associated cost.
Payment Questions
How is payment for sessions taken?
Clients are charged at the end of their session. As VPC does not accept cash, payments for sessions are taken out of your nominated account which is provided when you complete your intake forms.
When will I receive my rebate?
Your Medicare rebate is processed on your behalf after your session has been paid for. You should expect your rebate within 1-3 business days.
Do you offer Bulk Billing?
Unfortunately, VPC is currently unable to offer bulk billing.
Do you have a cancellation policy?
We understand that sometimes you need to cancel sessions. We have a firm 48-hour cancellation policy (in business days). We require this time to allow other clients who may be waiting for an appointment an opportunity to see their clinician. Any sessions that are cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice will attract a 50% session fee and any sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice will attract a 100% session fee. Cancellation fees are not eligible for Medicare rebates.