I am a registered provider with the Medicare program Better Access, therefore I can provide counselling if your doctor completes a mental health care plan. You are required to arrange a double appointment with your doctor who will assess if you are eligible to access counselling through the Medicare Better Access program. Your doctor will complete a mental health care plan and will need to forward this to me for you to receive the rebate.

The mental health care plan will provide you with an initial six sessions. If further sessions are required, I am required to write to your referring GP with an assessment and recommendation for further treatment if required. You will then need to arrange another appointment with your doctor to complete a mental health care plan review. If approved, you can access a further four sessions. You can access up to a total of ten sessions per calendar year.

Yes, as an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker I am a registered provider with Medicare which will enable to you to access the Medicare rebate up to ten sessions per calendar year.

A mental health care plan is valid for a 12-month period from the date of your care plan.

Yes, you can access my services without a doctor’s referral. This just means paying the full fee. You can also access my services through varies referral pathways which may include if available your workplace employee assistance program (EAP), a referral through Carers WA regional counselling service or workers compensation.

It is recommended you check with your private health provider if your cover provides a rebate on psychological services provided by my credentials which are as follows: Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Clinical Family Therapist or Accredited Gestalt Psychotherapist.

The number of sessions required will depend on what has brought you to therapy. I would recommend an initial three to six sessions on either a weekly or fortnightly basis, with a review of continuing sessions either fortnightly or monthly in support. Please note that the process of therapy can be extensive, and an ongoing process. The length of therapy will depend on your need to explore further or more deeply. You can cease sessions at any time and return later or if finishing it is recommended to arrange a final session with your therapist in support of this process.