Bookings & Appointments
Bookings & Appointments
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY TAKING NEW CLIENTS AND OUR WAITLIST IS CLOSED.
HOW TO BOOK
Please contact our intake team on (03) 8640 9934 or fill in our contact form. Our intake officer can tell you more about our services, answer any questions you have and find out more about you to ensure we can match you to the right psychologist for your needs.
AVAILABILITY
We are currently open Tuesday through to Saturday for consultations, offering both face-to-face and telehealth appointments. For up to date reception open hours, please review our Google business profile.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The first session for your child is a parent-only session, unless otherwise discussed. We strongly encourage both parents or primary caregivers to attend where possible. This allows for a thorough child and family history to be taken and an open discussion about your concerns.
Initial sessions will focus on gaining a shared understanding of presenting concerns, establishing a safe and comfortable place for therapy to occur, and developing a treatment plan. The assessment phase may also involve observations in your child’s education or childcare setting and liaison with teachers and relevant professionals.
Therapy with children usually involves parents and family members, and may consist of parent only sessions, sessions with your child, or sessions all together depending on therapy goals.
Recommended length and frequency of sessions varies depending on the severity of the presenting concern and multiple other factors. We will consult openly with you following the initial intake and at regular intervals to establish and review the schedule of appointments and progress.
WHAT TO BRING
At the time your initial appointment is made, an email will be sent with an intake and consent form for you to complete prior to your first appointment.
If you have a referral from your General Practitioner, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist, please ensure you bring a copy of this with you or that it has been sent through before your appointment. You do not need a referral to see a psychologist if you do not wish to claim a Medicare rebate.
Please bring any prior assessment or medical reports, letters or documents that may assist in gaining an understanding of your child and their history.
If you are unsure how to explain the appointment to your child, your psychologist can give you some helpful ideas at your initial parent-only appointment.
FEES
Inside Out Child and Family Psychology is a private clinic and fees are payable upfront for our services. Our fees range from $205 to $240 per 50 min session, based on the psychologist’s experience and additional training and endorsement. We offer reduced-fee appointments for health care card holders. There are also multiple options for rebates and funding that if eligible can contribute to the cost of psychology services.
CANCELLATIONS
If you are unable to attend, please cancel at your earliest opportunity via phone or email so that the appointment can be made available to others. If you provide less than 24 hours notice, full fee of the appointment will be incurred. The full fee will also be payable for non-attendance without notice.
FUNDING
There are multiple funding options available that can assist or fully cover the cost of your psychology care. Our psychologists are registered as providers with Medicare, and the Helping Children with Autism and Better Start Initiatives. We also see National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funded clients. You may also be eligible for rebate under private health depending on your policy.
Please see below for a summary of the types of rebates and funding that you may be eligible for. If you would like any further information or advice, please contact us and we will do our best to assist you.
Medicare
There are several Medicare-rebated funding schemes available when you meet eligible criteria and have an appropriate referral
from your GP, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist. The rebate value and the number of sessions available vary depending on the type
of referral. We can send claims to Medicare on your behalf when you attend your appointment. A summary of available rebates
for psychology treatment and assessments are presented below.
Mental Health Care Plan
A mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is for psychology treatment for individuals who have a mental health condition, such as
anxiety, sleep, depression, adjustment, behavioural or developmental disorders. The MHCP is managed by your GP or treating
doctor who will discuss with you your mental health concerns and determine your eligibility and appropriate referral options.
If you are deemed eligible, your treating doctor will complete paperwork for you to bring to your appointment or will send
directly through to us. You are then entitled to claim a rebate of either $88.25 with a registered psychologist or $129.55 per
session with a Clinical Psychologist for up to 20 treatment sessions per calendar year. A re-referral with your referring Doctor is required after your 6th and 10th sessions to assess progress and suitability for further sessions.
Group Psychological Therapy
Individuals who are eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan may also be able to access up to 10 subsidised group-based psychology sessions
per calendar year. This is in addition to individual treatment where appropriate. Please contact our administration team for more information.
Chronic Disease Management Plan
The Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM) is available for individuals with a chronic medical condition that is being managed
by your GP. This plan is developed by your GP who invites appropriate allied health professionals (i.e. Psychologist, Speech
Pathologist or Occupational Therapist) to participate. The CDM consists of up to 5 rebates per calendar year.
Helping Children with Autism and Better Start for Children with Disability Initiatives.
These funding schemes provide rebates for children with autism, pervasive developmental disorder, or disability to access 4
sessions for diagnostic assessment and 20 sessions for therapy with allied health professionals. This does not reset per calendar
year, but can be used at any time up until age 15 years (if your child is diagnosed prior to the age of 13 years). Eligibility for
assessment rebate is up to the age of 13 years. If eligible, you can claim a rebate of $88.25 per assessment or treatment session.
A paediatrician or psychiatrist is required to determine your child’s suitability for this scheme. They will refer you to one or more
allied health professional to provide diagnostic assessment, or for therapy services once the diagnosis has been confirmed.
Your GP will be able to provide you with a referral to paediatrician or psychiatrist to get this process rolling. This can be a
confusing and challenging time so please contact us if we can assist you to understand this process and your options better.
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The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a system for providing funding to support people with disability, their
families and carers. To access NDIS support your child aged over seven years of age must have a permanent and significant
disability that affects his or her ability to take part in everyday activities. If your child is aged under six years, they fall within the early
intervention support model and may not necessarily have a diagnosis of permanent disability to access services.
To register with the NDIS, call the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) on 1800 800 110 if you have not already been
referred by your GP or Paediatrician. An assistant will be able to advise you on whether you may be eligible and what
paperwork to submit. They will then assist you to book a meeting with a NDIA planner or local area coordinator. You and your
NDIA planner will work together to complete an individualised support plan. This plan is intended to fund the support needs of
your child and family.
Some parents feel confident to attend their meeting on their own and have a solid grasp and ability to communicate their child’s
disability, support needs and goals. It is also common for parents to feel uncertain and to ask for support prior to their NDIA
planning meeting. Our psychologists can assist in this process by developing with you and your child a written summary of his
or her key developmental challenges and support recommendations prior to your planning meeting. This can also ensure that
you feel confident to clearly communicate your child’s needs, your family goals, and to access services and supports that are
reasonable and necessary.
The pathways to NDIS support and your options can seem a little daunting or confusing at first. We are here to support you in
this journey and assist in getting the best available care for your child.
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