Patient FAQ
For psychiatrists, please have your GP forward a written referral addressed ‘Dear Doctor.’ For psychologists, please have your GP forward a mental health treatment plan. After receiving the referral, the reception team will contact you to arrange an appointment. This is a good time to ask any questions you might have. Please note none of the clinicians accept third party referrals such as DVA, TAC or Workcover.
How Do I Make An Appointment?
What Can I Expect From My First Consultation?
Your initial session will be 45-60 minutes so please ensure you complete the online patient intake form prior to your appointment as this will greatly assist with your assessment. You will be asked series of questions to gain a better understanding of your mental health. Sometimes it might not be possible to cover everything in one session so subsequent sessions may be required before the assessment can be completed and a comprehensive management plan created with you. You do not have to talk about anything that is too difficult for you but the more you share, the more accurate the assessment will be. If you have any questions during the assessment please ask. If you have booked a telehealth appointment please click on the profile photo of your specific clinician to access the telehealth link.
At the time of making your first assessment appointment, you will receive an email invitation to access the secure patient portal where you will need to enter your details and complete some questionnaires. Please feel free to upload any additional documents you think might be important via your patient portal.
What Should I Bring To My Consultation?
Generally speaking, initial assessments are quite in-depth and personal so the first meeting is usually one-on-one, but you are more than welcome to bring a support person to your consultations as the support of family and friends can have a great effect on your recovery. However, please rest assured that your privacy and safety is paramount and information will only be shared with these individuals upon your expressed informed consent.
Who Should I Bring To My Consultation?
What Can I Expect From Subsequent Consultations?
If you are seeing a psychologist your subsequent sessions will generally be quite regular to ensure there is consistent progress in your therapy. For psychiatrists, the length of your subsequent consultations may vary according to clinical appropriateness. These sessions may involve further assessment, explanation of treatment options and addressing your mental health problems. They also involve monitoring your mental health and response to treatment. If medications are involved, you can expect to be informed of why they are relevant, how to take the medications and any potential associated risks. We strongly suggest you ask as many questions as you like to ensure you have a proper understanding of your treatment plan.
Having a transparent and trusting therapeutic relationship is important so all patients will be advised of the fee prior to the confirmation of their appointment. Consultation fees vary according to the clinician and the type and length of consultation sessions. All psychiatrists/psychologists are registered with Medicare so you may be eligible to claim a Medicare rebate from your consultations. Please do not hesitate to contact the reception team for more information about consultation fees. None of the independent clinicians bulk-bill.
Please note that consultation fees need to be paid at the completion of the session and unfortunately, due to the frequency of non-attendances, cancellations of appointments without 2 business days’ prior notice will lead to a cancellation fee as other patients cannot access these reserved appointments.
What Are The Consultation Fees?
Unfortunately, as independent private clinicians, they do not have the capacity to manage psychiatric crises and emergencies. If you require urgent help please call Lifeline on 13 11 14, attend your local hospital or call 000 and ask for an ambulance.
What Do I Do In An Emergency?