Before your first session

You will need to ring and speak to one of our intake officers who has been trained to conduct an intake that focuses on the match between your child/adolescent and one of our clinicians.

We know that research shows that the match between therapist and client is very important for a successful outcome. We have a unique matching system that we have used since we opened in 2009. We consider your child’s or adolescent’s age, gender, culture, temperament (shy or outgoing) and your instinct as a parent in matching him/her with a clinician. This process helps ensure a good match from the start.

You may decide to see your GP for a Mental Health Care Plan (should your doctor think it is warranted) or you may decide to come in for a session first to test the waters. You do not need a referral to see a clinician so it is up to you. If you do have a valid Mental Health Care Plan, you will be eligible for a rebate of approximately between $87.45 and $128.40. From the 13th of March 2020, Medicare rebates are now available for both face to face and telehealth appointments. Please check with your private health insurance to see if they cover psychology services as many do but it depends on your coverage.

As of now there are no medicare rebates at our clinic when you see a counselor or a social worker providing mental health counseling. However, our clinicians’ fees are approximately what you’d pay as the gap to see a psychologist at our practice

What can I expect at my first session?

During the initial session, assessment questions are asked of you and if appropriate, your child. This will help the clinician understand your concerns and difficulties, as well as your child’s strengths and goals for therapy. Depending on the age of your child and his/her comfort, the clinician will possibly spend some time with parent(s) or carer(s) alone and some time with the child alone as well as everyone together. Questions may be asked regarding the main problem that concerns you, about your child and his/her development, and about what has been going on in your family’s life.

At the end of the first consultation, you will have most likely worked together to identify a treatment plan. You will also receive some feedback on your clinician’s understanding of what the main problem is, how it most likely came about and what can be done to help resolve the problem. All sessions, including the first session are scheduled to last 50 minutes.

What does treatment involve?

We do our best to cultivate a safe, relaxed and confidential environment when working with our clients. We have a strong commitment to use evidence-based assessment tools and therapies within our consultations – ones that are supported by up-to-date clinical research. We treat clients with compassion and respect in order to help yield effective and positive change.

We utilise a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches including, but not limited to: Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Attachment-based therapies and Play Therapy. There is really no “typical” therapy session as there are different methods of treatment for different problems. Your child’s age and interests will help to guide his or her treatment plan.

How long does treatment last?

The number of sessions needed varies from person to person. Immediate, short-term interventions are available, as well as longer-term, ongoing therapy for more complex issues.