{"id":2535,"date":"2019-06-28T08:51:38","date_gmt":"2019-06-28T08:51:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heartmatterspsychology.com\/test\/?page_id=2535"},"modified":"2021-03-21T20:58:49","modified_gmt":"2021-03-21T20:58:49","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/heartmatterspsychology.com\/test\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1616359322318{padding-top: 5rem !important;padding-bottom: 5rem !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][g5element_heading title=”Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Psychologists” subtitle=”QUESTIONS ABOUT” css=”.vc_custom_1616357494724{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_accordion style=”outline” shape=”square” gap=”5″ c_icon=”chevron” c_position=”right” active_section=”1″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Should I see a psychologist?” tab_id=”our-solutiona0bf-fdcaecd8-e4df”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-xs-10″][vc_column_text]Research tells us that around one in five Australians will develop a common mental health problem that psychologists can help with. As professionals trained in the understanding of human behaviour, psychologists are well equipped to apply their knowledge and experience to helping individuals, couples and families with a wide range of everyday problems and mental health concerns. If you are wondering whether a psychologist can help you with your problem, please contact us<\/a> at Heart Matters Psychology and we will be happy to answer your questions.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Do I need a doctor\u2019s referral to see a psychologist?” tab_id=”our-valuresa0bf-fdcaecd8-e4df”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-xs-10″][vc_column_text]No, you do not need a doctor\u2019s referral to visit a psychologist. You only need a doctor\u2019s referral if you would like some help through Medicare to pay for your psychologist\u2019s service fees.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”How many sessions will I need?” tab_id=”our-technologya0bf-fdcaecd8-e4df”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-xs-10″][vc_column_text]It is difficult to say exactly how many sessions you will require, because of the multiple factors involved (e.g., regularity of sessions, the complexity of the problem\/s you are experiencing, how effective the recommended treatment is, unexpected complications or life events along the way, etc). Some people get everything they need within a session or two, others require many more. We will discuss treatment and aim to set goals with you early in our work together, and there will be regular opportunities to collaboratively review how this process is going. Please talk to us in session if you have any concerns or questions about this process.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Is therapy confidential?” tab_id=”our-company”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-xs-10″][vc_column_text]Effective therapy depends on a trusting relationship between the client and psychologist, and an important aspect of any trusting relationship is an expectation of confidentiality and privacy. Your relationship with a psychologist is a\u00a0professional one with important and specific limitations to what can be kept confidential. Before communicating with us, it is important that you take the time to understand the limits of confidentiality that apply to any and all information you share with us by telephone, online, in writing, and in person.<\/p>\n

Our strict confidentiality policy<\/a> is based on the combined stipulations of the APS (Australian Psychological Society) Code of Ethics<\/a>, the mandatory reporting requirements<\/a> set out by AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency), and various state and federal Government regulations. These stipulations are\u00a0occasionally updated to keep in line with changes in technology, legislation, and\u00a0best clinical practice standards.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Can I contact you in an emergency?” tab_id=”1616358883926-b705c63d-7af3″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-xs-10″][vc_column_text]Heart Matters Psychology is not an emergency service and we cannot guarantee timely responses to urgent messages left for us via phone, email, or online. We may be unavailable for significant periods of time during business hours, and we do not check our devices outside of business hours or when on leave unless we have told you otherwise. Returning missed calls or messages may take over 48 hours in some cases. If you require urgent assistance and have not been able to see or speak to us in real time, please do not wait for a response from us \u2013 contact emergency services (e.g. call 000, present at the emergency department of the nearest hospital, or contact Lifeline\u2019s 24-hour telephone counselling service on 13 11 14) or the relevant supports in place for you. A reminder that Heart Matters Psychology\u2019s confidentiality policy<\/a> applies to all contact with us.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”I\u2019ve had a bad experience with a psychologist before. Are you open to feedback?” tab_id=”1616358952010-38a3cd37-9be2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-xs-10″][vc_column_text]When you work with a registered psychologist, you are engaging the services of an individual who has met registration requirements that stipulate a particular level of training, experience, professionalism, knowledge and ongoing commitment to professional development and regular supervision. These requirements are in place to help ensure the service you receive is safe and of high quality. Due to the nature of psychological work, on occasion your time with a psychologist may be uncomfortable, challenging, or even painful \u2013 but it should always<\/em> be a safe, professional, and respectful experience. Should you ever have serious concerns about any psychologist\u2019s professional conduct, capacities, or practice, we encourage you to seek further advice<\/a> through the governing body for all Australian health practitioners, AHPRA.<\/p>\n

The psychologists at Heart Matters Psychology recognise the serious responsibilities we take on in our role as your therapist, and we actively seek regular feedback throughout the therapy process. This helps us to adjust treatment as required, and keeps us attuned to how you\u2019re going. We are open to hearing how we can help you better, which\u00a0in turn help us improve our practice. We adhere to the ethical code of practice set out for psychologists by the APS<\/a>\u00a0and our conduct is subject to AHPRA<\/a> regulations.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” equal_height=”yes” rtl_reverse=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1616359426505{background-color: #f8f8f8 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_accordion style=”outline” shape=”square” gap=”5″ c_icon=”chevron” c_position=”right” active_section=”1″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”What are your fees?” tab_id=”1616359334051-425712d3-9140″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-xs-10″][vc_column_text]Our fee for a standard (i.e., 50-60 minute) consultation is $200, for sessions conducted in person or via telephone\/video call. Any incidental, brief calls and emails with you, your referring practitioners, and relevant third parties are included in this fee. Please note that our standard fee is substantially lower than the APS recommended rate<\/a> for standard consultations, which is currently $260. Under some special circumstances we also offer further fee reductions \u2013 please discuss this with us if required.<\/p>\n

While we are happy to include incidental calls etc. in our standard fee, the provision of psychological reports or detailed letters (the kind required for legal matters or by workplaces and schools, medical practitioners, and insurers) takes substantial time and so incurs a separate fee. Please discuss this with us if it applies to you, and please provide as much notice as possible (we need a minimum of two weeks\u2019 notice) if you anticipate requiring a report or detailed letter.<\/p>\n

We also have a cancellation policy<\/a>, as described below.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”What is your cancellation policy?” tab_id=”1616359334054-cea3a2e4-a45b”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-xs-10″][vc_column_text]We understand that sometimes your circumstances might change and you will not be able to keep an appointment.\u00a0If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible, as we require at least 48 hours\u2019 notice<\/em>\u00a0in order to organise someone else on our waiting list to take your appointment.<\/p>\n

If you are cancelling an appointment with less notice than this, the following charges apply:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours\u2019 notice will result in the full session fee still being charged.
\n\u2013 Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours\u2019 notice will incur a cancellation fee of 50% of your normal session rate.<\/p>\n

Cancellation fees are due ahead of your next session \u2013 please contact us to\u00a0organise payment over the phone or via online bank transfer. Unfortunately Medicare and Private Health funds do not allow rebates to be claimed for cancellation fees.<\/p>\n

To help you avoid missing an appointment, we use an automated text and\/or email reminder system. You will receive both a text and email to your provided details 24 hours ahead of your session time (please tell us if you do not wish to receive these reminders). This is only a prompt to help you remember your appointment \u2013 please find your own additional, reliable means to ensure you remember and attend scheduled sessions.<\/p>\n

Sometimes your personal circumstances might change unexpectedly (such as illness or a family emergency) and you will not be able to keep an appointment or provide the above notice. Please let us know if you are cancelling for these exceptional personal circumstances \u2013 we do not apply our cancellation fees if these occasions are infrequent and irregular. Our cancellation policy does apply however to sudden changes in your work\/study commitments.<\/p>\n

By booking an appointment with Heart Matters Psychology, you are agreeing to our cancellation policy.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”How does a doctor\u2019s referral work?” tab_id=”1616359334056-d1aa2492-9f4d”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-xs-10″][vc_column_text]For those who need financial help to access mental healthcare,\u00a0there is the Australian Government scheme\u00a0called the \u2018Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative\u2019. This program enables a person diagnosed with a mental health condition to receive a capped amount of financial assistance for the psychological treatment delivered by a Medicare-registered psychologist.<\/p>\n

Your first step in organising this assistance is to book an appointment with your GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician to discuss your mental health concerns (it\u2019s best to book a longer appointment if you are seeing your GP about this). Your doctor will ask you some questions to determine if\u00a0you are eligible under this Medicare scheme, and if so they will put together a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) for you to sign and a referral letter for you to give to a psychologist. The MHTP and referral set out the areas for you and the psychologist to focus on together, as well as the number of sessions (a maximum of six) for which you can claim a Medicare rebate. If you reach the maximum number of these sessions under your referral but psychological treatment hasn\u2019t yet finished, your psychologist can write to your doctor requesting another referral for more Medicare-supported sessions. You and your doctor must then meet again to review your progress so they can decide whether to provide you with another referral. The \u2018Better Access\u2019 initiative only allows a maximum of 10 Medicare rebates to be claimed per calendar year; you are able to see a psychologist more times than this in a calendar year, but any additional sessions need to be funded privately.<\/p>\n

Please note that a doctor\u2019s referral to see a psychologist under the \u2018Better Access\u2019 scheme and most other Medicare programs entitles you to a Medicare rebate<\/em>, but your psychologist still sets their own fees. Please read the next section on\u00a0rebates<\/a>\u00a0to find out\u00a0what rebates and out-of-pocket expenses are involved in seeing Heart Matters Psychology under the \u2018Better Access\u2019 initiative, and to learn about the other Medicare schemes and initiatives you may be eligible for please visit the\u00a0APS website<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”What are my Medicare and Private Health rebate entitlements?” tab_id=”1616359334058-4c85e580-aa92″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-xs-10″][vc_column_text]Medicare rebates<\/strong>
\nThe Medicare rebate for appointments with a clinical psychologist under Medicare\u2019s \u2018Better Access<\/a>\u2018 initiative is $128.40. After paying the standard fee<\/a> of $200 and receiving the rebate, you will be $71.60 out of pocket per session for these sessions.<\/p>\n

Additional information about psychology fees and Medicare rebates and programs is available on the APS website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Private Health rebates<\/strong>
\nYour rebate will depend on your level and type of cover, and who your insurer is. Please contact your fund if you are unsure what rebates you may be able to claim.<\/p>\n

Can I use Medicare and Private Health together for rebates?
\n<\/strong>No, unfortunately you cannot use your Private Health extras cover and claim a Medicare rebate for the same session. If you require more sessions in a year than the number provided under your Medicare scheme, you are able to use your Private Health extras cover to claim reimbursements for these additional sessions.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”How are payments processed?” tab_id=”1616359334059-c526db00-5088″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-xs-10″][vc_column_text]Payment for your session is due in full on the day of your appointment. Our combined HICAPS\/EFTPOS terminal allows us to process payments and rebates on the spot for you.\u00a0Payments can also be made with cash if you prefer (please have the correct amount as we do not keep cash on hand).<\/p>\n

Processing Medicare rebates<\/strong>
\nClaiming your Medicare rebate via our terminal only takes a few minutes, and it requires you to please bring to your session:<\/p>\n