Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Have Questions?
We Have Answers!

No. Referrals are not required for private psychology services.

A referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan are required if you wish to access Medicare rebates.

The first appointment focuses on getting to know you and understanding what has brought you to therapy.

We will discuss your current concerns, relevant history, strengths, goals and any supports currently involved in your care. This helps develop a clear understanding of your needs and determine the most appropriate way forward.

There is no expectation to share everything in the first session. Building a comfortable therapeutic relationship takes time.

There is no set number of sessions as everyone's circumstances, goals and support needs are different.

Some people attend for short-term support around a specific issue, while others benefit from longer-term therapy. Recommendations regarding session frequency and duration will be discussed collaboratively and reviewed throughout treatment.

Yes. Telehealth appointments are available Australia-wide.

Telehealth can be a flexible and effective option for many individuals and families, particularly those living in regional areas or with busy schedules.

Yes.

With your consent, collaboration may occur with schools, GPs, paediatricians, psychiatrists, allied health professionals, support coordinators and other members of your support network.

Collaborative care can help ensure supports remain coordinated and aligned across home, school, work and community environments.

Yes. Reports may be available where clinically appropriate and may include progress reports, school recommendations, functional recommendations, support letters and documentation required by funding bodies. Please note that report writing is generally billed separately from therapy sessions.

Different funding pathways have different requirements, reporting obligations and administrative processes.

For clients accessing services through the NDIS, TAC or WorkCover, psychological support often extends beyond the therapy session and may include collaboration with support teams, communication with treating professionals, review of documentation, planning, reporting and participation in case conferences or care team meetings.

These funding bodies also have specific standards, compliance requirements and reporting expectations that clinicians must meet as part of service delivery.

Private and Medicare-funded services generally involve less administrative and reporting work, which is reflected in their fee structure.

NDIS psychology services are designed to support participants in building capacity, increasing independence and working towards goals outlined in their NDIS plan.

Depending on individual needs, support may include:

* Individual therapy sessions

* Capacity-building interventions

* Parent or carer support

* School consultation

* Collaboration with allied health professionals

* Care team meetings

* Progress reports and recommendations

Services are delivered in accordance with NDIS guidelines and are focused on supporting meaningful outcomes in everyday life.

NDIS pricing is set by the NDIA and is not determined by individual providers.

NDIS-funded psychology services often involve a broader scope of work than direct therapy alone, including consultation, documentation, collaborative planning, care team participation and report writing. The NDIS pricing structure reflects these additional responsibilities and service requirements.

WorkCover and TAC services often involve communication and coordination with case managers, treating medical practitioners, rehabilitation providers, employers and other professionals involved in a person's recovery.

Treatment plans, progress updates and reports may be required throughout the course of intervention to support recovery, return-to-work planning and ongoing funding approvals.

Psychologists are bound by professional and ethical obligations regarding confidentiality.

Information discussed during sessions remains confidential unless:

* You provide consent for information to be shared

* There are concerns regarding serious risk of harm to yourself or others

* Disclosure is required by law

Confidentiality and its limits will be discussed in more detail during the intake process.

Some private health insurance providers offer rebates for psychological services under eligible extras cover policies.

As policies and rebate amounts vary between providers, we recommend contacting your health insurer directly to confirm your level of cover and any applicable rebates.

Appointments are paid for at the time of service. Receipts can be provided for clients wishing to claim through their private health insurance.

Please note that psychology services generally cannot be claimed through both Medicare and private health insurance for the same appointment.

Appointments are paid for at the time of service.

Where eligible, invoices and receipts can be provided to support claims through private health insurance providers. We recommend checking directly with your insurer regarding claiming processes and eligibility.

After-hours and weekend appointments may be available depending on clinician availability.

Bulk billing is available for eligible concession card holders accessing services under a Mental Health Treatment Plan.

Please contact NM Psychology to discuss eligibility and availability.

Yes. Cognitive, educational, autism and Mental Health Functional Capacity Assessments are available for children, adolescents and adults.

Assessment recommendations are tailored to the individual's strengths, support needs and goals.

Therapy focuses on developing skills, improving wellbeing and working towards personal goals over time.

Assessments provide a detailed understanding of areas such as cognitive functioning, academic achievement, autism-related presentations or functional capacity. Assessments typically involve interviews, standardised measures, scoring, interpretation and a comprehensive written report.

We understand that unexpected situations arise and appointments occasionally need to be changed.

If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, we ask that you provide as much notice as possible.

Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice, or missed appointments, may incur a cancellation fee.

Please contact us as soon as possible if you are unable to attend your appointment.

Many people seek support when they are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, worried, stressed or unsure how to manage a particular situation. Others may be looking to better understand themselves, strengthen relationships, build skills or work towards specific goals.

You do not need to be experiencing a crisis to benefit from psychology. If you are unsure whether psychology is the right fit, we are happy to discuss your concerns and help determine the most appropriate next steps.

For children and adolescents, parent or caregiver involvement is often an important part of the therapeutic process.

For adults, family members or support people may be involved where appropriate and with the client's consent.

The level of involvement will depend on the individual's age, goals and preferences.

The frequency of sessions varies depending on individual goals, circumstances and support needs.

Some clients attend weekly or fortnightly, while others may attend less frequently as they progress towards their goals.

Recommendations will be discussed collaboratively and reviewed regularly throughout the therapeutic process.