The nuts and bolts of therapy

I normally recommend weekly to fortnightly sessions in the early phase of therapy. In my experience it's important to achieve a sense of momentum and motivation as well as the importance of us getting to know each other a bit better and to find comfort in our therapeutic relationship. Over time it may be suitable to reduce to 3-weekly or monthly sessions or even less frequent when we focus on relapse prevention and maintaining the achievements and gains. 

I prefer to establish a suitable and regular time when we first make arrangements for sessions, and to consistently keep the same time. This way therapy will not be delayed because of sessions being unavailable. When we start our work together I make a commitment to keep session times available for you on either a weekly or fortnightly basis.  

I provide in-person therapy as well as therapy online via video and telephone. I normally use a premium version of Zoom as the video platform as this system is easily accessible and also compliant with privacy laws in Australia. 

Video-based appointments can be an adjunct to our regular face-to-face sessions, or otherwise the main approach to our therapy together. The Medicare rebate for sessions are the same regardless of in-person and Telehealth .

I often work with people Interstate as well as in regional and rural areas of Australia.  

I see people for 60-minutes per session, and at times longer especially during the early phase of therapy. It is also possible to book a double session which runs for 2 hours with a short break. 

I offer a variety of tea, coffee, and cold water during our sessions. There are amenities down the hall from my consulting room. I am rather fond of candles and nice smelling things so you can expect some lit candles, calm lighting (I have a pet hate for buzzing ceiling lights), a light breeze from my ceiling fan, and aircon set to 21 degrees.  

I love fidgets, toys, science stuff, quirky and weird objects and items, boardgames and puzzles, and often use these in therapy. For psychology therapy I find these objects very helpful in establishing a person's sensory preferences, identifying learning styles, as well as 'side shows' to enable and enhance concentration and focus. 

Short answer is no! However, it may be helpful to write down some life events in-between our sessions if you want to bring these up in therapy. I write all my notes on an iPad during our sessions as it greatly enhances my ability to follow our treatment plan, identify patterns in thinking and events over time, review progress, as well as to meet professional standards. My notes are confidential and securely stored in accordance with rigorous privacy laws. 

I would highly recommend you writing some basic notes as well from our session and/ or take photos of whiteboard notes we may do together. 

My recommendation: Yes you should! It can be very helpful to our therapy as we get to work live, on the spot with the very thing that bothers you or the problematic symptoms. This might provide an ideal opportunity for me to experience the battle, the symptom, the inner bastard, the face of the issue first hand. 

It may also be an opportunity for us both to focus on safety and to evaluate the next critical step in your treatment. 

If you are feeling anxious, nervous, apprehensive, embarrassed, etc. please feel assured these are all common emotions that many people feel before their initial appointment and even during the early phase of therapy. 

Please keep in mind that we will never talk about anything you don't want to talk about. You are in control and in charge of therapy. I find these emotions all indicators that you care greatly, your threat-detection system is working well, and that you are excited (biologically same as anxious) about our upcoming session. 

As per 1 January 2025: 

Standard 60-min Clinical Psychology: $210

NDIS Clinical Psychology: $220 

(fee lower than the fee set by NDIA) 

I highly recommend you discuss your mental health with your GP. The GP can issue you a Mental Health Care Plan which means you get a rebate from Medicare for each session. This rebate is paid to your nominated bank account by Medicare once I have process your claim. 

As per 1 January 2025 this rebate is $141.85 for each session with a Clinical Psychologist, which significantly reduces the cost of therapy (gap $68.15 per session). 

I no longer provide services under WorkCover due to my professional concerns about confidentiality and based on my lengthy experience with the WorkCover system not being conducive to improved mental health.