Psychotherapy is a non-drug approach to a range of emotional and psychological problems including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties. These problems may cause you to ask for help from your doctor and s/he may refer you to a psychologist for treatment.
Locations
Greensborough – Family Medical Centre
Fitzroy – Rear
Fee policies
Fee for an individual session is $130.00. Payment is usually at the time of the session. You may use cash, cheque or credit card.
Medicare
Clients of psychologists may now obtain Medicare rebates for psychological therapy services. A Medicare rebate fact sheet is available to help you find the service you need and information about rebates.
To obtain a medicare funded service from a psychologist you must follow the steps below:
1. Visit your GP if you think you have a psychological condition that requires treatment (eg. depression, anxiety, stress)
2. Obtain a referral letter from the GP to the psychologist
3. Contact the psychologist to make an appointment
You may be eligible for 6 sessions followed by another 6 sessions if necessary, per 12 month period.
If the psychologist bulk bills: You pay nothing
If the psychologist charges more than the rebate (ie. bills you): You pay the psychologist for the service and obtain a receipt which you take to Medicare as you do for medical expenses and obtain a refund from Medicare for the difference between the rebate and the fee charged by the psychologist
If you need to cancel an appointment, please tell us at least 24 hours ahead of time, otherwise we may charge you for the missed session.
Health insurance rebates
If you have private health insurance with extras, including Clinical Psychology, you will need to make payment at the time of the session and then obtain a rebate for part of the fee by presenting your receipt to your health fund. The Australian Psychological Society has more information on health insurance rebates and psychologists.
Length and frequency of treatment
Psychotherapy typically involves regular sessions, usually 50-60 minutes in length. Duration and frequency vary depending on the nature of your problem and your individual needs.
Confidentiality
Information you share with us will be kept strictly confidential, and will not be disclosed without written consent. By law, however, confidentiality is not guaranteed in life-threatening situations involving you or others, or in situations in which children are put at risk (such as sexual or physical abuse or neglect). A court may subpoena records. If we need to discuss your treatment with a colleague, we will take pains to disguise identifying information including a pseudonym.
Phone and Emergency Contact
If you need to contact the psychologist by phone, do not hesitate. When they are not available an answering voicemail will take a message. We are usually able to return calls within the day. You will not be charged for phone calls unless we have a scheduled conversation of an information exchanging or problem solving nature that lasts more than ten minutes. If you cannot reach us in an emergency, you can find help at the Accident and Emergency Department of the nearest public hospital or by phoning 000.
Physician contact
Physical and psychological symptoms often interact. We encourage you to seek medical consultation if warranted. In addition, medication may be helpful for psychological problems. When appropriate we will arrange a referral for medication evaluation
Code of Ethics
Psychologists are bound by the laws of the state and a professional code of ethics, which guide our professional relationship with clients. They serve to protect your rights in any professional relationship with a psychologist.
Charter for clients
http://www.psychology.org.au/community/client_charter/
Freedom to withdraw
You have the right to end therapy at any time. If you wish, I will give you names of other qualified psychotherapists.
Complaints
We value your opinion of our service and ask that if you have a complaint about any service provided by McCarthy Psychology Services please contact us first so we can address any issues and provide you with any information that may help to respond to your complaint.
Complaints about the conduct of psychologists can be made to the psychologist’s registration board in your state.
Australian Psychological Society (APS)
All psychologists employed by McCarthy Psychology Services are full members of the Australian Psychological Society, the major professional body for psychologists in
A range of valuable resources are available on the APS website for clients of psychologists.
College of Clinical Psychologists
In addition to membership of the APS we employ full members of the College of Clinical Psychologists who have specialized training (usually a Masters degree or doctorate) and supervision for two years under an experienced senior psychologist in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
Contact:
telephone 03 9431 6573 or email office@mccarthypsychology.com.au
