Frequently Asked Questions

Your Psychologist will ask you various questions throughout this session to gather comprehensive information about you, your history and current situation, in order to gain a well-rounded understanding of how they can best help you. Your Psychologist will also discuss "goals/what you want to achieve from therapy", and provide you an opportunity to ask any questions you might have. ​ Sometimes this initial assessment phase may span over a few sessions, depending on the detail of information shared and discussed.

This really depends on the individual, what they are hoping to achieve from therapy, and what their presenting issue is/diagnosis. Generally, you would start to see some progress between 6-10 sessions.

Typically, sessions last for approximately 50-60 minutes.

This again depends on the individual - what they can afford, what their goals are for therapy, and their presenting issue. We usually suggest beginning sessions on a weekly basis (for approx. 3-4 sessions), before spacing sessions out to fortnightly attendance. Once you are feeling ready to do so, we can either space sessions out to every 3 weeks, or try monthly sessions. ​ Longer term, clients may only attend once every few months, or get in touch when they feel the need for a check in.

Your attendance is completely up to you. At Opening Doors Psychology, it is very important to us that you feel connected, safe and comfortable with your Psychologist. If you do not feel this, it is absolutely ok to request a referral to another Psychologist. If you'd prefer to seek out your own new Psychologist, that is also completely ok. We appreciate any feedback you might also have for us.

Please ensure you have a private and confidential space to attend your session in. You receive a link in your appointment reminder email a few days prior to your appointment, so you can attend via video-conference. If for any reason you do not receive your telehealth link, please email us, and we can forward a copy of the link. Alternately, if you'd prefer a phone call, please let us know as soon as possible, and your Psychologist will call you on a private number at the time of your session. ​ Although frustrating at times, its normal to expect some delays, connection issues, and technical difficulties during Telehealth sessions. We have a back up Zoom account if for any reason our "Cliniko Telehealth" system fails to work.

A "MHCP" allows you and your GP to create a plan of action, to identify what kinds of supports or healthcare you need, what your treatment goals are, and what the best options for treatment might be. Additionally, this allows you to receive a rebate for up to 10 Psychology sessions per year. Please see "Fees & Rebates" section for further information.

You can obtain a MHCP from your GP, or alternatively from a Paediatrician. Your doctor will ask you various questions about your mental health concerns, what your goals are for treatment, and ask you to complete a questionnaire. You may then be provided with a hard copy of your MHCP to pass onto your Psychologist, or your doctor may directly send the documents to your Psychologist.

Once you've paid for your session in full, and attended, we can submit a claim for you online to medicare (with your permission). Alternatively, you are welcome to lodge claims yourself (please ensure to request a copy of the paid invoice for claiming purposes. You should receive your rebate within 48-hours to your nominated medicare bank account.

No, you don't have to have a referral from your GP to attend sessions. If you don't have a referral/MHCP, this just means that you will not receive a medicare rebate for your session, and will instead be out of pocket the full session fee.

No, MHCP's are intended for individual use only.

If you have Private Health Insurance, we can provide you with your invoices to make claims with your health fund. Otherwise, once you've used all 10 sessions of your MHCP for the year, you wont be able to receive any further rebates until the new year, and will pay the full cost of sessions until then.

You can either: - Email us on "leah@openingdoorspsychology.com.au" - Fill out the inquiries submission form (you can find this on our home page, and contact us page) - Use our online booking system which can be found here on our website

Payment of sessions is required on the day of your appointment. Your Psychologist will settle payments at the beginning of the session. ​ If attending in person, we prefer card payment where possible. If usually attending via Telehealth, we may request to securely store credit card details on your file, and with your permission can automatically charge your card on file once your session attendance has been confirmed. Payment can also be settled at the beginning of the session, during the telehealth session via credit card, or bank transfer. ​ If for any reason you are unable to make payment on the day of your appointment, please raise this with your Psychologist and alternative arrangements can be made; a "payment plan" may also be negotiated with your Psychologist.

We require 48-hours (2-days notice) prior to your appointment. Please see "Fees & Rebates" section for further details on our cancellation policy.

Yes, we have a waiting list for NEW clients. Please email us on leah@openingdoorspsychology.com.au (leah@openingdoorspsychology.com.au)to request to join the waitlist, and provide your FULL NAME, Email, Phone Number and brief summary of 'reasons for booking'/'seeking support', so we can ensure that we're the best possible support for you. From time to time we have sudden cancellations, which we can offer to new clients on the waitlist. Please keep an eye out for a text message or call if you've opted for this option, as we will attempt to notify you ASAP, and hopefully book you in!