FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of problems can psychologists at Ahead Psychology help me with?

Our psychologists can help with a wide range of issues that affect your emotional and mental well-being. It may be that you have a serious, debilitating problem that you have struggled with for a long time and think that it is time to get help. Or you may be generally successful and high functioning but are troubled by feelings, behaviours and thoughts that prevent you from functioning to your full capacity or from feeling happy and fulfilled.

Life changes, new events or circumstances, and changes in relationships or work can be challenging. Sometimes people have an inexplicable feeling of sadness or pain that they cannot get through and need help to understand the source of these feelings to become unstuck.

We offer access to specialised treatment for most issues including, depression, anxiety, relationship counselling and more.

We can help if:

• You often feel sad, struggle to find pleasure in life and find it hard to get motivated
• You are constantly worried, anxious and stressed and this interferes with your enjoyment of life
• You’re in a relationship that is suffering from a loss of trust, feelings of resentment, repeated arguments or a lack of intimacy
• You lack self confidence and/or self esteem and this stops you from doing the things you want
• Your life is ‘out-of-balance
• You’re struggling being a parent and find it hard to deal with your child or teenager’s behaviour
• You feel stuck – have tried to make changes but can’t make any real or lasting progress.

Is counselling worth the effort?

There is extensive evidence showing psychological treatments are effective! Whether it is support and understanding through a crisis or bringing about deep fundamental change, seeing a psychologist can definitely make a difference. Our society is becoming increasingly accepting of psychological therapy as more and more people experience the benefits.

Counselling from a psychologist can help:

• Build self confidence and self esteem
• Manage anxiety
• Improve the quality of relationships with partners and children
• Promote general well being and balance in your life
• Goal setting
• Assisting in life transitions
• Achieve a work-life balance
• Manage daily stresses
• Clarify direction in life and vocation
• Overcome depression

For more see our Should I see a Psychologist page

Are psychological treatments effective?

A review of current research shows that a range of well-defined psychological treatments:

• are effective at treating the many common mental health conditions
• are effective in treating most anxiety and depression disorders
• are the treatment of choice for most childhood problems
• tend to be more effective than medication over the long term, because people receiving medication only are more likely to relapse after they stop taking it
• are viable treatments, in terms of both their effectiveness and costs.

Source: Australian Psychological Society – http://www.psychology.org.au/community/effectiveness/

Is there something wrong with me that I can’t work it out for myself?

No – Getting help is the smart thing to do. Early Intervention can you help you avoid suffering unnecessarily and prevent more serious problems in the future

You may find asking for help from a psychologist is difficult. Many people feel weak or a failure when they seek help. The reality is that when you have a problem your mental health cannot be managed by telling yourself to “pull yourself together”, “pick yourself up and move on.” or to ‘just snap out of it’.

Seeking help is an act of courage and strength and in itself will help you move towards your potential. Ignoring or running away from your problems is easy but ultimately unsuccessful.

If you still feel you can manage it on your own and don’t believe you need professional help ask yourself this…. How long have you been doing it on your own? Why haven’t things changed? How much have you already lost? If it has been more than a few months then it is time to get help.

Do I need a Referral to make an appointment?

No, private referrals are welcome. Simply call (07) 3352 3577 to discuss any questions you may have and to organise a time that suits you. Alternatively, fill in our online bookings & enquiries form and we will call you.

Please note – if you wish to claim a Medicare rebate you will need an appropriate referral from a GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician. See below for more details.

Can I get a Private Health Insurance Rebate for Psychology Services

Most private health insurers offer rebates on psychological services. To claim a rebate you will need to be covered by ancillary benefits insurance (extras cover). Some health funds also require a medical referral.

Rebates vary based on your level of cover. We recommend that you check with your health insurance fund first to find out if you are covered and how much your rebate will be.

Are there Medicare Rebate for Psychology Services

Yes. Under Medicare you can receive a substantial rebate for psychological treatment.

If you wish to claim a rebate through Medicare you will need a referral from a GP, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician to see a psychologist.

All psychologists at Ahead Psychology have a Medicare Provider number, which means they are eligible to participate in the Medicare initiative

How Do I Get a Medicare Referral to a Psychologist?

If you want to claim a Medicare rebate, speak to your GP or Psychiatrist or Paediatrician about a referral under the Better Access initiative.

If you plan on seeking a Medicare based referral from your GP, it’s a good idea to:

• Tell your GP’s receptionist that you are seeking a referral to a psychologist and would like to discuss a getting a GP Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) – you need this to receive Medicare rebates
• Book a longer consultation to allow time to discuss your issues and develop a Mental Health Care Plan
• Print out our Referral Details Card and give it to your GP at your appointment
• You are entitled to ask your doctor for a general referral to Ahead Psychology (addressed to ‘The Psychologist’ or ‘Dear Psychologist’) or to a specific psychologist at Ahead Psychology (see Psychologists’ Profiles here).

Psychiatrists and paediatricians can directly refer patients for Medicare rebatable services and are not required to develop a specific mental health care plan.

What’s the difference between Psychologists and Counsellors / Psychotherapists

There are many different people who claim to treat mental health problems. Not all of them are well trained, many are unregistered, do not hold insurance.

To practice in Australia, Psychologists must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) and must:

• Hold an appropriate qualification (most psychologists have a minimum of six years of tertiary training)
• Undertake an-approved program of continuing professional development,
• Hold appropriate Professional Indemnity Insurance
• Demonstrate satisfactory evidence of recent practice

In Australia, counsellors and psychotherapists are not regulated by a specific government body – they are not required to have a license to practice. Anyone can call themselves a counsellor or psychotherapist whether or not they have undertaken professional training in treating mental health issues. If you are planning to see a counsellor or psychotherapist, it is wise to enquire about their qualifications, the professional organisations to which they belong, and whether they practice according to a code of professional ethics.

Is what I say to a psychologist confidential?

It is normal to be concerned about your privacy and confidentiality when sharing intimate details about yourself.

At Ahead Psychology all psychologists uphold the Psychologists Board of Australia (PBA) endorsed Code of Ethics.

What you say to a psychologist is confidential and will not be passed on to anyone else (like a family member, friend or employer) without your consent except where: it is subpoenaed by a court; failure to disclose the information would place you or another person at serious and imminent risk; or if disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law.

How can I make an appointment?

To make an appointment simply call (07) 3352 3577 to discuss any questions you may have and to organise a time that suits you.

Alternatively, you can fill in our online bookings & enquiries form and we will call you.

We offer daytime and evening appointments from Monday to Saturday.

How long does a session last for?

Sessions usual run for 50-55 minutes which is known as the ‘therapeutic hour’.

How do I get to Ahead Psychology?

Click here for printable details on getting to Ahead Psychology including a map, address, contact phone number, parking and public transport

What should I expect from the first session?

In the initial session, your psychologists will typically ask a number of questions to get an understanding of the particular matters that have brought you there. He or she will gather background information, discuss your expectations and establish objectives for the therapy in collaboration with you.

How many sessions will I need?

The counselling process is different for everyone. The number of sessions you need depends on your unique circumstances. Some people resolve their issues in small number of sessions, whereas others require treatment over a longer term. This matter will be discussed with your Psychologist after the first session.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept cash and have EFTPOS facilities to process credit and debit card transactions. Payment is required at the time of the appointment.

Cancellation Policy

To be most effective it is very important that counselling take place on a regular basis. Appointments should be consistently scheduled and regularly attended. Missed appointments can jeopardise treatment progress. If less than 1 business days notice is given when cancelling an appointment a cancellation fee may be charged. You will be supplied with full details of the Cancellation Policy prior to your first appointment.