Question 1

Do I need a referral to see a Psychologist?

Accepted Answer

You only need a referral if you wish to claim a Medicare or a private insurance rebate to subsidise the cost of the session. If you are happy to pay the full cost of the session, you do not require a referral from your GP. You can see our fees and rebates here.

Question 2

How to I get a referral under a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from my GP?

Accepted Answer

If you wish to claim a medicare rebate for psychological services, your GP will need to complete a mental health care plan assessment with you. You are able to see a psychologist without a mental health care plan, if you are willing to pay the full cost of the session. Should you wish to obtain a mental health care plan, you will need to:-   Book a double or extended appointment with your GP. Tell the receptionist that you specifically require a mental health care plan, as they may need to confirm your eligibility with Medicare before confirming your appointment. Discuss your concerns with your doctor. They will ask you to complete a brief questionnaire. Ask your GP to refer you to Curious Mind Psychology or Magdalena Mills directly. Bring your referral along to your first appointment in order to claim the rebate. Please note – Psychiatrists can also refer directly to a Psychologist by writing a letter, and do not need to prepare a mental health care plan like your GP.    If you already have a referral and you are ready to book an appointment, or you have further questions about the referral process, please contact us.

Question 3

What can I expect at my first appointment?

Accepted Answer

Even if you have previously seen a psychologist, it is normal and natural to feel nervous before your first appointment. Here is an outline of what you can expect when we first meet: Each session will run for 50 minutes. Your psychologist will go through your consent form and paperwork, filling in any missing details with you, and answering any questions you may have. Therapy is confidential, with certain exceptions that will be explained before you begin therapy. Your psychologist will explain how they work. Your first session is an opportunity to discuss the reasons you are seeking treatment, and to get a sense of whether your psychologist is a good fit for you. Your psychologist will ask questions about your current symptoms, distress, relationships, family and begin to define significant or traumatic experiences. This is so your psychologist can assess and explore relevant factors that affect your coping skills and distress levels, and provide you with the best treatment options. The initial 2-4 sessions will focus on assessing and understanding the reasons you came to therapy, the history of the problem, your attempts to address the problem and how the problem affects your life.  At the end of each session, you will discuss and decide when you will next meet and whether or not to book a regular appointment. If you would like to begin this process, book now for an appointment.

Question 4

Is therapy for me?

Accepted Answer

People work with psychologists for a wide array of reasons, and come with a variety of symptoms or problems. Suffering and pain are things that most people seeking therapy have in common, along with the belief that their life can be, or should be, better. Many people make judgments and assumptions about whether therapy will help them, perhaps believing their suffering is not important or severe enough to seek help, that their problem is too overwhelming and they are beyond help, or that they should not need help to understand and alleviate the suffering they experience. If you are struggling with suffering, I encourage you to reach out, call us and talk to a psychologist about your situation, to see what could be possible.

Question 5

What if the therapy or therapist is not the right fit for me?

Accepted Answer

The therapeutic relationship is one of the most fundamental predictors of success in therapy. Without a sense of trust, positive regard, safety and collaboration between the psychologist and client, therapeutic work cannot progress and will not be effective. Here at Curious Mind Psychology, your psychologist will facilitate the formation of the therapeutic relationship in the first session by encouraging you to reflect on how you experience the connection with them, whether you feel there is potential for the connection to develop, if you think it is a good fit and that you are welcome to be honest and open about any concerns or feedback you have. If you get the sense the fit of your psychologist or therapy is not quite right, your psychologist will support you with any resources they have to help you to continue your therapeutic work with them or with another therapist.

Question 6

How long are sessions?

Accepted Answer

Sessions at Curious Mind Psychology run for 50 minutes.

Question 7

How many sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

Everyone will have a different journey through therapy that depends on the nature of their issue and the outcomes they are seeking in seeing a therapist.    We tailor therapy to suit your unique needs, preferences and the contexts in which they occur. Some people come to therapy seeking strategies to help them cope with mental illnesses or to reduce their suffering. This type of work is generally short term, and may include infrequent check-ins over the long term to assess if the strategies are still effective and to manage relapse prevention.   Others come to therapy seeking insight and understanding into who they are, to process traumatic or significant occurrences in their past, or to resolve long standing patterns, particularly within their relationships, that leave them feeling stuck and unable to live the way they wish. This type of therapy is usually long term, spanning months or years.    While a mental health care plan from your GP offers subsidies for ten sessions every calendar year, some people may only require one or two sessions, while others may require much more than that. Here at Curious Mind Psychology we believe therapy continues as long as you feel there is still something you need from it, you have the means to continue with it, and have the will to commit to it.

Question 8

How do I book an appointment?

Accepted Answer

You can book an appointment by calling us, or by emailing us through our contact form here.

Question 9

What is a Psychologist, and can they prescribe Medication? "

Accepted Answer

A Psychologist is a registered health professional, who undertakes ongoing training and professional development to maintain their registration and retain the title of a Psychologist. Psychologists specialise in the assessment and treatment of everyday concerns and mental health illnesses. Psychologists use talk therapies and they cannot prescribe medication. They can support you to talk with your doctor or Psychiatrist  if they believe medication will complement your talk therapy treatment.    To become a Psychologist, one must complete a three year undergraduate degree, an honours degree and at minimum two years of full time, practical and supervised experience as a provisionally registered Psychologist. This may include post graduate university education in the field of Psychology such as a Masters or Doctorate degree.    A Psychologist is not a Psychiatrist. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed further training in diagnosing and medically managing mental illnesses, and who can prescribe medication.    A Psychologist is also not a counsellor. Counselling is not a protected title in Australia, meaning that anyone may refer to themselves as a Counsellor, although many Counsellors have completed education ranging from diplomas to Masters Degrees.

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