Frequently Asked Questions

In your initial fifty-minute session, our primary focus is to get to know you better and understand your unique experiences and challenges. We’ll take the time to explore what’s been happening in your life, delve into your background, and discuss your therapy goals. You can expect us to ask questions to help gather this information and to provide insights into our therapeutic approach.

We understand that therapy can seem intimidating, but rest assured, our top priority is to create a safe and supportive environment where you can feel comfortable and well-cared for throughout the process. Your wellbeing is our utmost concern.

At Mind and Matters Psychology, we aim to provide an affordable service. Our fee for all 50-minute sessions is $230.

The current Australian Psychological Society (APS) recommended fee for 2023-2024 is $300 per hour.

In person (face-to-face) sessions are preferred, however telephone or video conference sessions are also available.

For general clients, you will be asked to make payment in full immediately after your session using credit card or by bank transfer. We do not accept cash. After you have paid the full amount, a rebate will be processed if you are eligible. Alternatively, a receipt will be issued for you to claim the rebate yourself.

Medicare offers rebates for ‘focused psychological strategies’ such as psychological therapy and counselling. However, first you will need to visit your General Practitioner (GP) and explain your mental health concerns. It is polite to book a longer consultation with your GP so that they have enough time to develop a care plan with you. Your GP will give you a document called a “Mental Health Care Plan” and a letter of referral which entitles you to Medicare Rebates for psychological services.

The Medicare Rebate can vary depending on the type of session and length of session. The current Medicare Rebate for an individual session lasting 50 minutes is $92.90.

You will be asked to pay the total cost at the end of your session, and then any eligible rebate will be applied. We do not bulk bill. Therefore, the rebate will not cover the full amount. The remainder is the out-of-pocket cost to you.

Medicare rebates may only apply for individual and EMDR therapy.

Unfortunately, at present Medicare does not provide a rebate for couples’ therapy. However, you have two people to share the cost.

Where a third party is responsible for paying, an invoice will be sent directly to the paying party (e.g. your EAP organization or NDIS Plan Manager). This must be arranged prior to your first session.

When you schedule an appointment, we set aside the whole session time just for you. To ensure fairness to others who may be waiting for an appointment, we have a cancellation policy in place.

If you need to reschedule or cancel, please provide us with at least 24 hours' notice to avoid any additional charges. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice will incur a fee of the session cost, and if you don't attend the appointment without notice, the full session fee will also be charged.

We understand that unexpected situations can arise, like sudden illness or personal emergencies. If this happens to you, please reach out to us as soon as possible so we can work together to find a solution. Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated.

You don't need a referral to see us. However, if you want to access Medicare rebates, be sure to obtain a referral and Mental Health Care Plan and sent it through to us by email before making your appointment.

We suggest that you speak with your regular healthcare provider, typically a GP, to obtain your Mental Health Care Plan which will state how many sessions you have been referred for. We look forward to collaborating with your GP as we believe a team-based treatment plan is more effective, although it’s not mandatory. Your wellbeing is our priority, and we’re here to support you in the way that works best for you.

You could qualify for a Medicare rebate per consultation if you've been referred by a General Practitioner through a Mental Health Care Plan (GP Item 2710) or if you have been referred directly by a Psychiatrist.

Alternatively, some private health funds provide rebates for psychological services, but it's essential to verify this with your specific health fund.

Please keep in mind that you cannot claim both Medicare and Private Health Fund benefits for the same consultation session. We're here to assist you in navigating your options for affordable care.

A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is collaboratively prepared by you and your GP - that opens the door to psychological services with Medicare rebates. On your MHCP, your GP will nominate how many sessions they think you need. They can nominate up to 10 individual and 10 group psychological appointments per year. After the sixth session, it's necessary to revisit your GP for re-referral, which grants you an additional four sessions (if needed).

To claim the rebate, remember to email your MHCP and referral letter before our first session, or bring them to our first session.

To obtain an MHCP, schedule an appointment with your GP. You might need a longer appointment to chat about your needs, so best to mention this when booking.

Your MHCP will outline the type of healthcare support you require, your agreed-upon goals with your doctor, and any allied services, such as a psychologist, included in your treatment plan. It’s your roadmap to getting the help you need, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

Absolutely! As part of our intake process, you'll be asked to complete confidentiality and consent forms. These forms help establish the boundaries of confidentiality and our commitment to your care. Registered psychologists like us engage in clinical supervision to uphold professional standards and ensure the provision of appropriate care. This supervision includes confidential discussions related to case management.

If you ever have any concerns or questions about this process, we can address them during our initial appointment. Rest assured, your personal information and details will never be shared with a third party without your prior consent. Your privacy and trust are of utmost importance to us.

With young children we usually begin by having the parent or caregiver in for the first session on their own so they can express their concerns and feel heard. In the next session we invite the young person to come in with the parent or caregiver, and we play some fun games to build the therapeutic relationship of trust and safety. Then we continue with the young person on their own, exploring the issues and building skills using play-based activities with “hidden” evidence-based psychological therapies underneath. A brief overview of “what we did today” will be shared with the parent verbally in the final 5 minutes of each session.

With young adults, we will establish their developmental ability to understand and give consent to therapy. The parent might only come in for the first 5-10 minutes so that we can share concerns and set clear expectations about confidentiality for the young adult, and what will and will not be shared with the parent or caregiver. Then the young adult would attend sessions on their own. Unless the young person is considered to be at risk, no session content will be shared with the parent.

We offer counselling for couples who are experiencing difficulties in their relationship, including communication breakdown, increased arguments, disagreements about roles and responsibilities (who does what), infidelity or cheating, FIFO-related difficulties, parenting differences, step-parenting problems, and issues with sexual intimacy. All couples, including hetero and LGBTIQ+ couples are welcome.

With couples counselling, your relationship is the “client” which means we do not seek to prove who is right or wrong. Rather, we seek to identify and heal the difficulties in the relationship. We usually start by having each of you attend one session on your own, to speak freely and give your perception of the problem, while the psychologist remains objective (not taking sides). From there we bring you together and we begin to work on the issues you both raised, using openness and transparency.

Both psychiatrists and psychologists play crucial roles in supporting individuals' mental wellbeing, offering different but complementary approaches to treatment.

Psychologists are registered practitioners who work with individuals facing both everyday concerns and mental health issues. To become a fully registered psychologist, one must hold an undergraduate degree and complete at least two years of supervised training and further education. There’s a substantial body of research supporting the effectiveness of psychological therapy, which is often considered the gold standard treatment for certain disorders.

Psychiatrists are highly trained medical professionals who've completed a medical degree along with additional specialized training in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses. They specialise in the medical aspects of mental health and can prescribe medications.

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This therapy model has been proven to be highly effective for those who have experienced trauma or suffer with symptoms of PTSD. It is now also being used to treat anxiety and depression and improve positive beliefs and affirming self-confidence.

EMDR therapy is founded on two beliefs:

1. The belief that when we are in trauma, our brain is flooded with chemicals that help us to survive (fight or flight) but which also causes our brains to process and store trauma memories incorrectly. This incorrect storage can lead to past memories feeling very present. So events and experiences that happen in the present, can lead to clients reacting as they did at the time of trauma. The brain feels if the past disturbing event is happening currently.

2. The belief that our emotional well-being is interwoven with our physical (somatic) state. Therefore, EMDR uses a body-based technique called bilateral stimulation during which a therapist will guide a client through side-to-side eye movements. The therapist may also add a tapping task while doing the eye movements. The eye movements and tapping tasks, help to shift a memory that has been incorrectly stored.

EMDR therapy corrects this mis-storage so that the painful memories associated with the trauma lose their charge, or reduce the level of distress that we feel in our body in the present. The client can react to stimuli in the present without the past interfering.

What is EMDR not?
EMDR is not an exposure therapy because the client is first taught how to recall the memories without re-experiencing them - as if from a distance and in a safe space. It must be stated that EMDR does not work for everyone, however for most people it can dramatically improve their lives.

Your organization might have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which is a valuable resource that offers support and assistance to employees facing a wide range of personal and work-related challenges. Your organization may pay for you to attend a limited number of counselling sessions each year. The topic of your sessions can be relating to a work issue or a personal issue. In most cases, sessions can be for yourself or a family member who lives in your household. Please check with your organization to find out how many sessions you can access and who can use them. You can usually use your EAP sessions for individual therapy, couples therapy, or for your child. Here are some common issues that EAP counselling can help address:

Workplace Stress such as coping with heavy workloads, managing job-related stress and pressure, or balancing work and personal life. You may need support to resolve conflicts with colleagues or supervisors.

Mental Health Concerns such as dealing with anxiety or depression, coping with grief and loss, or relationship issues. Or you may need support for health and wellness, healthy lifestyle choices, or career development.

Family problems such as parenting challenges, blended families, or effective communication. Or you may wish to discuss personal growth and self-improvement or assistance with building resilience and coping skills.

EAP counselling is designed to be a confidential and supportive resource, helping employees navigate a variety of challenges that may impact their well-being and performance at work, because they recognize that home life can impact work life too. It aims to provide early intervention and support to address issues before they escalate.

We do not not share information with your organization about the content of the counselling session. We simply let them know when you attended so that they know there is an invoice to be paid.

A women's healing circle is a sacred and supportive space where women come together to connect, share, and support each other on their personal and collective healing journeys. Here's an overview of what you might expect at a women's healing circle:

Welcoming Atmosphere:

The circle typically begins with a warm welcome, creating a safe and inclusive environment. Participants may sit in a circle to foster a sense of equality and unity.

Opening Ritual or Ceremony:

The session may start with a ritual or ceremony to set the tone and create a sacred space. This could include lighting candles, using sage, or a simple guided meditation.

Introductions and Check-Ins:

Participants are invited to introduce themselves and share a brief check-in about how they are feeling in the present moment. This helps to create a sense of connection and allows everyone to be present. You also have the freedom to pass your turn to speak if you need time to settle in.

Theme or Focus:

The healing circle will have a specific theme or focus for each session, such as self-love, empowerment, or forgiveness. This theme guides the discussions and activities during the circle. Francine will also bring some aspects of psychological strategies that support mental health and wellbeing such as calming strategies and skills to self-soothe and regulate emotion. The intention is to improve your wellbeing by fostering our integrated mind and body connection.

Sharing and Listening:

Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Active listening is emphasized, fostering a supportive and non-judgmental atmosphere.

Expressive Arts and Rituals:

Creative activities or rituals may be incorporated, such as art, movement, or guided visualization exercises. These activities can help participants express emotions and tap into their inner wisdom.

Ceremonial Tools:

Healing circles often use ceremonial tools like crystals, oracle cards, or symbolic objects to enhance the spiritual and transformative aspects of the gathering.

Guided Meditations or Mindfulness Practices:

Sessions may include guided meditations or mindfulness practices to promote relaxation, self-reflection, and a deeper connection to one's inner self.

Closing Ritual:

The circle typically concludes with a closing ritual or ceremony. This may involve expressing gratitude, setting intentions, or sharing blessings.

Community Building:

Women's healing circles often emphasize the building of a supportive community where participants can form lasting connections and friendships. We will usually end a healing circle with light refreshments, herbal tea, and a little mingling (all optional).

Confidentiality:

The importance of confidentiality is usually emphasized to create a space where participants feel safe sharing their vulnerabilities.

The specific structure and activities will vary, as each women's healing circle is unique. The focus is on creating a space where women can authentically express themselves, find support, and embark on their healing journeys.