Frequently asked questions.
Is this service right for me?
Perhaps you might be feeling stressed or overwhelmed with the demands of daily life or you may be experiencing a significant life event, relationship or adjustments difficulties. You may be struggling with fertility issues or the matrescence journey for which you need support.
You don’t need to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder to seek support, you may just want someone to talk to so we recommend you reach out.
What should I expect for my first psychology session?
In your first psychological appointment, the psychologist will undertake an initial assessment which involves gathering information to get to know you well and what your therapy needs and goals might be. A psychologist will typically ask about the presenting issue, your current work and life situation, hobbies and interests, your childhood, your family and relationships. Psychologists will also discuss consent and confidentiality in this session. You can choose to disclose as much or as little as you wish in this session and the psychologist will try and make you as comfortable as possible. It will be a good opportunity to determine if the psychologist and client are a ‘good fit’.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment?
Of course we appreciate that life gets hectic at times, but your commitment to therapy is important.
If you do need to cancel or reschedule we require a minimum of 48 hours notice. If an appointment is cancelled in less than 48 hours prior to your appointment or you do not show for your appointment, you will be charged your full session fee. This cancellation policy is in place so we have adequate time to allow another client to take this appointment where required.
Do I need a referral in order to book in?
No, you do not need a referral to access psychological therapy. However, a referral may allow you access to Medicare rebates.
How do I get a Mental Health Care Plan from my GP?
You will need to book an appointment with your GP to discuss a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). If you are deemed eligible, you may be entitled to Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual psychological appointments per calendar year (this includes Telehealth sessions).
Do you accept private health?
Yes we accept private health rebates. You will receive an invoice which you can take to your private health fund and if eligible you may receive a rebate.
What do I need to prepare for my telehealth therapy session?
To access our online psychological support, you will need a secure internet connection and a device (i.e. phone or laptop) which allows for video teleconferencing. Once we receive your booking form and have approved your booking in your desired time slot, your therapist will send you the link to the session, and will contact you during your time slot.
We have chosen a very secure teleconferencing system to ensure that we can be accessed by anybody in Australia. However, like any system on the internet, there may be some risk included, we will discuss this in our intake session.
Do you offer in-person therapy?
Yes! Please check our contact details. The clinics are located in North Brisbane.
What is the difference between telehealth and in-person therapy?
Telehealth therapy allows more people to access mental health, including those from remote areas with a lack of in-person psychological services available.
Research has shown that telehealth services can be just as effective as in-person therapy, however it may not be appropriate for everyone. Whether online or in person, we aim to assess whether online therapy is appropriate for your needs. If you’d like some more information or are unsure about telehealth, we recommend booking in a 10-minute Meet and Greet call.
Who is able to engage with this service?
We welcome clients from any background within Australia and we are LGBTIQ+ friendly. However, to access our service it is a requirement that the client is a minimum of 18 years of age.
What do I do if I am in a crisis?
Holistic Wellness Psychology is NOT an emergency service and we do not respond to crises.
For urgent mental health concerns or other emergencies please contact the appropriate emergency services, listed below:
Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 000
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
PANDA: 1300 726 306