Question 1

What happens during the first session?

Accepted Answer

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.
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Sometimes this initial assessment phase may span over a few sessions, depending on the detail of information shared and discussed.

Question 2

How many sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

How long do therapy sessions run for?

Accepted Answer

Typically, sessions last for approximately 50-60 minutes.

Question 4

How frequently should I be attending?

Accepted Answer

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. 
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Longer term, clients may only attend once every few months, or get in touch when they feel the need for a check in.

Question 5

What if I don't feel a connection with my Psychologist? Do I have to keep attending?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

What should I expect from a Telehealth session?

Accepted Answer

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.
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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.

Question 7

What is a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

How do I get a MHCP?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

How do I get my rebate from Medicare?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

Do I have to have a referral / MHCP to attend sessions?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

Can we use a MHCP for Couples Therapy?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 12

What happens when I finish my MHCP?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

How do I book a session?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

How do I pay for sessions?

Accepted Answer

Payment of sessions is required on the day of your appointment. Your Psychologist will settle payments at the beginning of the session.
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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. 
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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.

Question 15

How much notice do I need to give if I need to cancel or reschedule an appointment?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

If there is no availability for new clients, do you have a waiting list for new clients?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we have a waiting list for NEW clients. Please email us on 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!

Frequently Asked Questions