Some people may have spent weeks, months, or years thinking about visiting a Psychologist before they actually go ahead and make an appointment. Our Psychologists are very aware of how anxiety provoking it can be to talk to a stranger and open up about things that we may have tried to hide from others for a long period of time. Because of this, our Psychologists are trained to help you to feel relaxed and comfortable and allay your anxieties by being warm, friendly and understanding. They are not there to judge you but to understand and work with you to find ways to best help you and your current circumstances.
Sessions
Appointments are typically based on a therapeutic hour (approximately 50 minutes in duration). Sessions may be longer for certain kinds of treatment, psychological assessments and initial consultations.
The first session usually involves the Psychologist taking the time to get to know you and learning about the issues that brought you to the session. They will often ask lots of questions to get a better understanding, but will also follow your lead as to the pace you would like your session to go. We will estimate the number of sessions and the type of therapy that is likely to lead to an effective outcome for you. The Psychologist will also begin to formulate with you, a treatment plan aimed at addressing your particular issues and concerns. We will help you understand the relevance of your treatment and you should feel free to raise any issues you need clarified.
Our Psychologists are trained to use a wide range of assessment and therapeutic strategies. The reason for referral and the Psychologists theoretical orientation will determine the content of sessions, which may include discussion, testing, behavioural tasks or other relevant activities. You may sometimes be asked to practice strategies or undertake assignments between visits.
To get the best out of the therapy process, the following guidelines are useful:
- Aim to attend every scheduled session
- Be prepared to share your thoughts and feelings openly with the Psychologist
- Complete any homework tasks set by the Psychologist
- Discuss any doubts or concerns you have with the Psychologist
Preparation for your appointment
We want to ensure that when you come to see us, we can focus on you.
Please come prepared for your appointment by attending 5 minutes before your scheduled consultation time.
Payment
Payment is due/processed on the day of your appointment. We accept payment by credit card, EFTPOS and bank transfer.
Due to the rise in telehealth sessions, we now ask that you sign our consent form to store credit card details for payment processing by our head office. You will receive a receipt via email once payment has been processed.