No, you don’t need a referral. However, if you wish to claim a Medicare rebate for sessions, you need to have a referral (Mental Health Care Plan) from your GP, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician.

Medicare provides a rebate for up to 10 sessions per year for treatment by a psychologist under the Federal Government’s Better Access to Mental Heath Care initiative. For more information, see https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/09/better-access-fact-sheet-patients.pdf

Medicare rebates are also available for perinatal counselling, and up to 20 sessions per year for clients on an Eating Disorders Plan.

No, it is a private billing practice that has a gap fee for services. For more information, please submit an enquiry.

If you have the required level of cover you will be able to claim a portion of the fee from your private health fund. As private health funds vary in the rebate they offer, please contact your fund for more information.

Payment is required on the day of appointment unless otherwise authorized. This includes all privately paid, Medicare, private health, and NDIS self-managed clients. Exceptions include where a third-party organisation is directly paying the invoice, or if a payment plan has been authorised. A credit card number may be required to book telehealth appointments and payment is processed after the appointment.

Sometimes it is necessary to re-schedule or cancel an appointment. Leonie asks that clients provide as much notice as possible so that the appointment can be made available for another client. A reminder text is usually sent two days before each appointment but clients are responsible for remembering their appointments. A cancellation fee of up to $100 may be charged for appointments re-scheduled or cancelled within 24 hours if it was not possible for another client to utilise the appointment.

Each client is unique and the number of appointments will depend on the nature of the problem and work done by the client between appointments. For more information, please submit an enquiry.

Therapy appointments will be about 50-55 minutes. Assessment appointments will vary according to the nature of the assessment.

No. Leonie contacts all new clients directly to make the first appointment. She can provide a link to her calendar where clients select an appointment that suits their needs. Leonie does not answer phone calls during appointments but is happy to return calls at the earliest opportunity or at an agreed time. Leonie can also be contacted by email which is checked on weekdays.

The first appointment is about getting to know you better and providing information about how the service works. Leonie will aim to get a detailed understanding of your difficulties and concerns, how they started, and your goals and expectations of therapy. She will then work with you to develop a flexible treatment plan to meet your needs, goals and preferences.

Phone or video appointments are available for clients who find it difficult to attend appointments in-person at the office, due to personal circumstances, distance, or cold or flu symptoms. You will need access to a phone, tablet or computer and reliable Wi-Fi if you are going to do a video call. Credit card details may be required to book a telehealth appointment and are stored on encrypted software.

This is not an emergency service. Appointments are by prior arrangement. If you or your loved one is in crisis, please call 000 or your GP. You can also contact Lifeline at 131114.

There is currently no requirement to wear a mask in the building or in Leonie’s office. If you are feeling unwell or have cold or flu symptoms, you are strongly urged to re-schedule your appointment or request a telehealth appointment.

Any records or information about you are kept strictly confidential, securely locked away in files or kept electronically within password-protected practice management software. Information will only be disclosed to additional parties with your prior consent, with the following exceptions:

• If you were referred by a medical practitioner, regular reports may be sent to them regarding your progress, related medical issues or medication.

• If you are involved in a legal situation, be aware that your file may be subpoenaed and that Leonie will have no say in the matter.

• If there are specific concerns about your safety of the safety of others, then Leonie may need to disclose this to other professionals who will be involved in the care of you or others.

• Where costs are paid by an insurance company, they may require regular progress reports. If there are specific issues that arise that you do not wish to have written about, please discuss this with Leonie who will explain the implications so that you can provide informed consent before she provides information.

Therapy with young children will often include a range of games and activities to engage them and help with skill development. Please make alternative care arrangements for siblings. Often at the first session, Leonie will discuss confidentiality with the child and parents, outlining what types of information might be disclosed to parents, and what will be kept confidential. If a child discloses activity that puts them or someone else at serious risk of harm, the parent will be advised and an action plan established.