Individuals, couples or families needing assistance can ring the Centre and make an appointment for themselves or a family member with one of our Psychologists or Counsellors. A medical referral is not required when you come as a private client.
However, your GP may recommend counselling at the Centre. In most cases your GP will prepare a Mental Health Care Plan which will allow you to claim a rebate from Medicare, unlesss you are already covered by WorkCover or some other insurance. Relationship counselling is not covered by Medicare.
You may also be referred for an appointment through your workplace Employee Assistance Program. Ask your Human Services Manager about this option.
Therapy Fees & Payments
Fees
Our fee structure is as follows:
Psychologists |
Usual fee | Medicare rebate* |
| Standard consultation (50-60 minutes) | $210.00 | $98.95 |
| Brief consultation (up to 30 minutes) | $100.00 | $70.15 |
| Relationship counseling (90 minutes) | $170.00 | No Medicare rebate |
*If you qualify for a rebate under the Medicare Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative, which means your doctor will have prepared a Mental Health Care Plan.
Relationship counseling is not covered by MEdicare but private health funds may still offer part-payment. Consult your fund to check.
In cases of financial hardship, a discounted fee may be negotiated. Please let reception your therapist know if you are on a pension or have a health care card. The Centre is not a bulk billing practice, but our practitioners do bulk-bill some cases. Please discuss this with him or her at the first appointment.
Payment
Payment is to be made on the day of each consultation. This enables us to keep fees down and prevents an accumulation of debts. We are happy to accept most credit cards and personal cheques and offer EFTPOS facilities.
Private Health Cover
All the Psychologists are registered as providers with the major private health funds. If you have psychology “extras” in your private health, you will be able to claim for your psychology consultation. The amount of the rebate varies from fund to fund and depends on your level of cover as well.
Medicare - the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative
If the GP considers you may be suffering from depression, anxiety, sleep problems or other psychological issues, they will complete a Mental Health Treatment Plan with you and refer you under Medicare. This type of referral allows a portion of the fees to be rebated by Medicare. (See above under Fee structure)
DVA
Some of our psychologists are registered to see Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) clients to treat conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and to provide support for health conditions such as injury, disability and some chronic diseases.
For DVA to cover your psychology sessions, you will need a referral from one of the following: Local Medical Officer, General Practitioner, medical specialist, hospital discharge planner, another registered psychologist or an approved counsellor from VVCS. The referral will remain active for 12 months.
With the referral in place, there will be no cost to you for the sessions. However you will need to sign a DVA service voucher at each visit. Please remember to bring your DVA card with you to your appointment.
Employee Assistance Programs
Some employers work with the Centre for Healthy Living to make counselling services available to their employees. This is sometimes arranged directly, with the employer contacting us. Employers can also use Employee Assistance Programs managed by organizations such as OPTUM, Acacia Connections or Workcover.
In either case, payments will be covered and you will not be required to make a payment at the time of your session. The various organizations have differing reporting requirements so you are likely to need to complete a form of some kind when you have a counselling session.
The employer will usually specify the number of sessions to be authorized.
Contact your employer if you feel you have a work-related issue which could be helped by speaking to a counselor.
Cancellation Policy
Our practitioners frequently have a waiting list of clients urgently requiring appointments. If you are unable to keep your appointment, you need to give us at least 24 hours’ notice. If the appointment is missed or late notice given, a cancellation fee of $70 will be charged.
