Attending your first session can be daunting, and it is very normal to feel nervous and even anxious about doing so. Your psychologist will be aware of this and will ensure as smooth and comfortable a process as possible.

We will spend the first session focusing on getting an understanding of your history/background and what has prompted you to seek psychological support. To do this, your psychologist will ask you several questions about your life (e.g., family and history) and overall mental health experiences. You will also be asked to fill out some questionnaires.

Your psychologist is also there to answer any questions you might have about what to expect from the course of treatment, confidentiality, and modes of treatment available.

Before commencing your sessions, you will be required to complete intake and consent forms. These forms will be sent to you to complete beforehand.

Consent forms often cover issues such as privacy, confidentiality, and access to information. If you have any questions about these or your rights in therapy, this is a great opportunity to start that discussion with your psychologist.

Take some time before the session to write down any other questions you might have, or main points you feel are the most important to communicate.

Being an active participant in your sessions and taking an open and collaborative approach is the best way to get the most out of your sessions.

Some treatment approaches will require you to do some homework between sessions, or practice skills and tools discussed in sessions.

On a practical note, ensuring your sessions are at a time and place where you can commit your full attention is important. This means, where possible, eliminating distractions related to work, family, or technology.

You can expect to be treated with respect. Your psychologist will take time to listen to you so that they can understand your situation from your perspective. Psychological interventions (ie, therapy) that are evidenced based and appropriate for your presentation will be discussed.

Consultations with your psychologist usually last between 50- 60 minutes and an appointment can usually be booked within a month.

Generally you do not need a referral to see a psychologist but please talk with your doctor about your mental health difficulties as you may be eligible for referral under a mental health care plan so you can access 10 psychological consultations with your psychologist. With a mental health care plan you would receive a Medicare rebate (currently $98.95 per session).

You do not need a referral from a doctor if you want to claim through your private health insurance or if you personally pay the fee for a psychological consultation. Please be aware that private health insurance rebates will not cover the whole fee and there will be a gap payment.

Psychologists and psychiatrists have similar objectives as both work to diagnose, treat and prevent mental health disorders. However, they differ in their training, education and approach to treatment:

Psychologists are mental health professionals trained in providing psychotherapy and have knowledge in a range of therapy frameworks (such as EMDR and cognitive-behavioural therapy), and psychological assessment, however they cannot prescribe medication and are not medically trained.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors and often treat more severe mental health conditions (eg. Bipolar or schizophrenia). Their approach is mainly medically-based and may prescribe psychiatric medications to aid in the alleviation of distress and psychiatric symptoms. Some psychiatrists conduct psychotherapy but often collaborate with psychologists.

Many clients have both a psychiatrist who manages their medication and a psychologist providing psychological strategies and treatment; dual approaches being quite beneficial.

Each individual and situation is different. Some people achieve a different perspective in one session while most need more. Generally around ten sessions are required. For more complex or longstanding mental health problems, more sessions may be needed.

Psychologists are required to abide by a strict Code of Conduct (2025) that is set by the Psychology Board of Australia. This code protects your interests and ensures confidentiality with the exception of very particular circumstances.

This Act guarantees that all personal information held by your psychologist will remain confidential and secure except when:
· It is subpoenaed by a court of law;
· Failure to disclose it would place you or another person at risk;
· You give written consent for written information to be released to a designated agent.

The information is part of the legal requirement to document what happens during sessions, and enables the psychologist to provide relevant and informed psychological services.

You may obtain a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. For information in relation to lodging a privacy complaint, the following website provides guidance: https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints/lodge-a-privacy-complaint-with-us

Many private health funds provide rebates for psychological services; you would need to check with your health insurance provider for further details.

Medicare rebates are available to help cover the cost of psychological treatments.

To receive a rebate from Medicare you would need to see your GP for a long consult where a GP Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) will be established. This involves assessing your needs, selecting appropriate treatment and your ongoing management. The plan will be documented and your GP will forward a copy of the plan to your psychologist or request that you forward a copy of the plan before your first appointment.

Once you GP has lodged the plan with Medicare you will be able to access 10 individual services in a calendar year. This is also reviewed after 6 sessions and after 10 sessions each year.

We can provide services to a range of third party funded clients eg. DVA, ADF BUPA, and Self-Refer QPS.

If you have private health insurance with comprehensive extras, then you may claim a proportion of your fee.

Please note: It is not possible to use more than one funding source for a single appointment. You will need to decide which funding source to use. Please email us at admin@lacewingpsychology.com.au if you have any questions.

This is your choice, but you are not allowed to use both methods of rebate for the same appointment. Many people choose to use their Mental Health Care Plans first because these often provide higher rebates. Private health care rebates can then be used if you require more than 10 sessions in a year.

Yes, you are generally welcome to make an appointment without a referral.
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A referral from a GP or other specialist doctor is only needed 1) if you would like to receive a Medicare rebate or 2) unless liaison with your doctor over the course of treatment is essential for effective care.

Some clients attend their first session and then meet with their GP to discuss a MHCP. It is important to note that only sessions that can be rebated are those that occur after the date of the MHCP.

An alternative is your private health fund. It’s worthwhile enquiring whether your policy covers you for psychology sessions and if so, what is the rebate per session. You do not require a referral or a MHCP from your GP for this.

Please note that 2 business days’ notice is required to cancel or reschedule appointments. This does not include weekends.

Cancellations made within 2 business days (48 hours) of the appointment may incur a charge of 50% of the appointment fee. Cancellations made within 1 business day (24 hours) may result in a charge of 100% of the appointment fee.

Please email us as soon as possible so we can offer that appointment time to another client. There will be a full fee cancellation charge for appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice, unless the spot was able to be filled.

Please feel welcome to provide feedback to us via our email address: admin@lacewingpsychology.com.au.

Yes, if the date of the referral is less than 12 months old, it can be emailed straight to us.

The Mental Health Care Plan is reviewed after the first 6 sessions (including any with another psychologist), at which point you need to return to your GP for a review.