FAQ’s

No, you can see a psychologist as a private client with no referral.

The Medicare Better Access Scheme provides rebates for up to 10 sessions per calendar year with a psychologist when referred by your GP under a Mental Health Care Plan.

You can also be referred under other schemes such as Workcover, DVA and NDIS. The funding and number of sessions under these referrals will vary depending on the number of sessions approved. This can be discussed with your psychologist to work out what best fits you.

In your first session with your psychologist, you will discuss your presenting concerns, goals, and together you will come up with a treatment plan which will indicate the number and frequency of your sessions. Depending on your needs, complexity and other factors, you may only require 6-10 sessions to achieve sustainable change in your life. Please note that on average, 15-20 sessions are required for 50% of the clients.

It can take a while to find a mental health professional who ‘clicks’ with you. In most cases, it’s helpful to see the same therapist for a few sessions before deciding whether to continue with them, as this will give the therapist time to get to know you and build a good relationship.

Finding the right professional or professionals and finding the right kind of treatment and support is a fine balance. What has worked well for someone else may not work for you.  It’s important to keep in mind there are many different techniques therapists use and they can all offer different benefits. 

Remember you can ask to see a new therapist if you don’t think the one you’re working with is the right fit for you. We won’t get offended. We want you to feel comfortable and find the right person for you.

Payment for sessions are made on the day of your appointment, and we will process your medicare rebate thereafter.  Eftpos facilities are available.  Direct deposit payments are accepted by prior arrangement.

If a third party is responsible for payment of your account, please provide us with these details upon booking your initial appointment and we will arrange the invoices to the appropriate third party.

Prior approval is sought from third party payees for a specific number of sessions, any non-payment by third party, becomes the clients responsibility to settle the account.

All personal information gathered by the psychologist during the provision of the psychological service will remain confidential.  No information will be released without a signed consent form. Exceptions to this are;  

• If we are required by law to disclose information.
• If a referral is received from a Paediatrician, Psychiatrist or GP with a Mental Health Treatment Plan, a letter is required with a brief summary to the referring Dr after completion of your sixth and tenth sessions.
• Your consent has been obtained to provide a written report or letter to another professional or agency or discuss the material with another person. E.g. parent, teacher and /or health care providers.
• In the case of insurance or compensation claims, it may be necessary to disclose information and/or collect information that affects the client’s treatment.

You can now access your sessions with a psychologist via phone and videoconferencing, which has recently been made permanent under the Medicare Better Access Scheme. It is a good idea to check with your psychologist to see what options they have available for you, and to ensure they are able to work with your preferences. 

As a general guideline for using telehealth, it is important to ensure you have a good internet connection, space to talk privately, and a time where you are not likely to experience any distractions related to work or family. Your psychologist will give you more information on how to best utilise these telehealth options now available. 

Our cancellation policy is in place so we can provide the best care for all our clients. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, you can contact us by email at admin@ovw.247.myftpupload.com or call us on (08) 61844755 (you can leave a message if unanswered).

Cancellation or rescheduling within 24 hours will incur a full session fee, within 48 hours – 50% of session fee. Please read our Cancellation Policy

Currently, we are not registered with the NDIS. However, if you have self-managed or plan-managed funding through the NDIS you can utilise applicable services at SilverAura Psychology.

A general or registered psychologist is a psychologist who has received their full registration from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). A clinical psychologist has completed additional accredited education and training to specialise in an endorsed area of specialised practice – i.e. clinical psychology, forensic psychology. 

In private practice, clinical and registered psychologists often do similar types of work, offering a wide range of assessments and treatments.

Some people with more severe or complex mental health problems may want to seek the help of a clinical psychologist. Meanwhile, registered psychologists work with individuals across a wide range of age groups and demographics, addressing various mental health concerns from mild to severe.

Ultimately, whether you go with a clinical or general psychologist is up to you. Both will provide you with quality care, psychological treatment, and tailored guidance, with no difference in professionalism or compassion. Perhaps what’s more important is the trust and rapport you have with your psychologist, as a strong therapeutic alliance has been proven to enhance treatment outcomes.