Frequently Asked Questions

What is Counselling?

Counselling is a collaborative process that involves a professional relationship between a client and a trained mental health practitioner, such as a Psychologist. It provides individuals with the opportunity to explore and understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, as well as how these may affect their lives. Through counselling, clients can develop insight into their challenges, build on existing strengths, and learn new skills to improve their overall wellbeing and relationships. At Queensgate Psychology Centre, our Psychologists work closely with each client to identify goals and support them in making meaningful, positive changes.

Who Can Benefit from Counselling?

Counselling can be helpful for anyone experiencing emotional, psychological, or interpersonal difficulties. People often seek psychological support if they:

Experience ongoing sadness, depression, or low mood
Struggle with stress, anxiety, or panic attacks
Wish to improve communication and relationships
Lack confidence or struggle with assertiveness
Have thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Face challenges balancing work, school, and family commitments
Need support making important life decisions
Are concerned about the mental health of a loved one

When is Queensgate Psychology Centre Open?

We offer appointments Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, and Saturdays from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Our friendly reception team is available during these hours to assist with enquiries and bookings on 08 6102 6662.

What Can I Expect During My First Appointment?

When you arrive for your first appointment, our reception team will provide you with a brief form to complete. This form gathers essential information, including your consent and contact details. We recommend arriving 5 minutes early to allow time to complete this paperwork.

If you have a referral letter or Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, please bring this along with your Medicare card to your appointment.

Your Psychologist will explain the counselling process, including privacy and confidentiality. You will be invited to share the reasons you are seeking support and what you hope to achieve. The first session often involves gathering background information and discussing your goals. If a different practitioner or service would be more appropriate, your Psychologist will assist in coordinating a referral.

What is a Parent Intake Appointment?

This is a parent-only session designed to discuss your child's emotional, social, and developmental history. It provides a space to speak openly about your child’s challenges and explore suitable support strategies.

Your Psychologist may ask questions related to emotional regulation, behaviour, sensory processing, social skills, and academic progress. This information helps determine whether assessment is required and guides the focus of future sessions.

Medicare rebates are available for this session if you have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan in place.

What Are the Fees?

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) recommends a fee of $311 for a standard 50-minute session. However, to enhance accessibility, we offer the following fees:

Clinical Psychologist: $260 per 50-minute session
Registered Psychologist: $230 per 50-minute session
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker: $200 per 50-minute session

If your child’s Psychologist requests a Parent Intake Appointment, the fee is $230 for a 50-minute session, with Medicare rebates available.

A $100 pre-booking fee is required at the time of your initial appointment booking. This deposit remains on your file and is fully refundable at the conclusion of your sessions, provided account conditions have been met.

All accounts must be settled on the day of your appointment. Fees are subject to change with notice and any updates will be published on our website. Additional fees may apply for medical reports, and EFTPOS surcharges may be incurred.

For insurance-related services (e.g., RiskCover, WorkCover, ICWA), fees are charged according to the relevant provider schedule. Please contact us for more information.

Important Notice: Fee Update Effective 1 July 2025

Our service fees will be increasing as of 1 July 2025, in line with the updated Medicare rebate schedule. This adjustment ensures we can continue to provide high-quality, client-centered care and maintain the standard of service you expect from us.

Updated fees will be reflected on all consent forms and listed on our website from this date. If you have any questions regarding these changes, please don’t hesitate to speak with our team or your clinician.

Do I Need a Referral?

No referral is needed to access our services. However, a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP, psychiatrist, or pediatrician is required to access Medicare rebates.

Can I Get a Rebate from Medicare?

Yes. If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral from your GP (or a psychiatrist or pediatrician), you may be eligible for Medicare rebates. Most GPs will ask you to book a longer consultation to complete this.

Medicare rebate amounts are as follows:

Clinical Psychologist: $141.85 per session
Registered Psychologist: $96.65 per session
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker: $85.20 per session

How Can I Obtain My Medicare Rebate?

We offer on-the-spot Medicare claiming. If your bank details are registered with Medicare, your rebate will be directly deposited into your account following your session. Alternatively, you may claim manually using your receipt via the Medicare app, online, or in person.

Can I Claim Through My Private Health Insurance?

Many health funds provide rebates for psychological services. Please check with your insurer to confirm whether your policy covers services provided by your chosen practitioner. Note: we do not offer HICAPS claiming at this time.

What is Your Cancellation Policy?

We ask for a minimum of 48 hours' notice (Monday to Friday, excluding weekends and public holidays) to cancel or reschedule your appointment. This allows us to offer the appointment to another client.

We use an automated appointment reminder system (SMS) to support your attendance 3 days prior to your scheduled appointment. However, it is your responsibility to manage your appointment times and keep us updated on any contact detail changes.

Cancellations with less than 48 hours' notice, or non-attendance, will incur a $100 fee. This includes late cancellations due to illness or unexpected events.

Your pre-booking deposit will be used to settle this balance if payment is not made within 28 days. An additional pre-booking fee will be required to secure further appointments.

What is the Difference Between a Clinical Psychologist, Registered Psychologist, and Accredited Mental Health Social Worker?

At Queensgate Psychology Centre, we value the unique expertise of our diverse team of mental health professionals. In Australia, Psychologists are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and must complete years of university study and supervised practice. They are bound by strict ethical guidelines to ensure safe and effective care. While Psychologists do not prescribe medication, they are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of mental health concerns.

We also work with Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs), who are highly experienced professionals recognised by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). To receive this accreditation, Social Workers must complete additional training in mental health and demonstrate extensive clinical experience. Like Psychologists, AMHSWs provide therapeutic support and can offer services under Medicare when referred by a GP.

While their training pathways and Medicare eligibility differ slightly, all members of our team are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your needs.

Clinical Psychologist:

A Clinical Psychologist's training entails a minimum of six years of academic training and two years internship. They are endorsed by AHPRA and are highly skilled in treating complex mental health concerns. Clinical Psychologists are eligible for the highest Medicare rebate.

Registered Psychologist:
Registered Psychologists hold at least four years of university education and two years of supervised practical training. They are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA) and are qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat a broad range of psychological issues.

Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW):
AMHSWs are Social Workers with specialised training in mental health, accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). While not AHPRA-regulated, their accreditation ensures high standards in therapeutic practice. AMHSWs can provide services under Medicare with a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan.