No, you do not need a referral in order to visit a Psychologist. However, you will be unable to claim any Medicare rebate without a Medicare eligible Mental Health Treatment Plan referral from your doctor.

When you arrive for your initial appointment, Judith will ask you to read & complete two forms. One form is a contact detail sheet; the other is a simple one page questionnaire. Arriving 5-10 minutes prior to the scheduled time of your first appointment will give time for these to be completed and maximise the time available for discussion. If you have a referral letter or Mental Health Care Plan from your doctor, please bring these to your appointment, along with your Medicare card.

A session is 50 minutes induration. Judith will encourage you to discuss why you have decided to attend counselling and what you hope to address, change or improve upon as a result of your sessions. She will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the counselling process.

Throughout Australia (and most of the world) Psychologists are registered by the government. In order to use the title ‘Psychologist’ in Australia you must have a minimum of four years’ undergraduate university training in psychology and a Masters in Psychology or two years supervised professional practice. As part of their registration, Psychologists’ are bound by a Code of Ethics, which aims to safeguard the welfare of clients. The fact that the Psychologists Board of Australia registers all Psychologists provides reassurance for clients, as any concerns regarding the conduct of Psychologists can be directed to the Board for consideration. Judith Hall is a fully registered Psychologist.

The titles ‘Counsellor’, ‘Psychotherapist’ or ‘Therapist’ are not registered. Anyone who wishes to can practice as a Counsellor, Psychotherapist or Therapist.

A Psychiatrist is a medical practitioner who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. Psychiatrists are able to prescribe medications and often work in conjunction with Psychologists.

Counselling involves the development of a relationship between a client and a trained professional (e.g. a Psychologist or counsellor) that focuses on the client’s concerns and difficulties. It is a process in which individuals have the opportunity to improve upon their understanding of themselves. This includes understanding their patterns of thoughts, behaviours, feelings, and the ways in which these may be problematic in their lives. Counselling also provides individuals with opportunities to examine how to use their existing resources and skills or develop new ones to enhance their lives and relationships. Counselling is a collaborative effort as it involves the client and Psychologist working together to identify goals.

The therapeutic relationship with a Psychologist is one that encourages us towards improved awareness and greater autonomy for self- empowerment. An important part of being in therapy is that it helps us to understand the underlying causes of problems and gives us the strategies to make change. This can include equipping us with psychological knowledge that helps to effectively manage life. Being in therapy provides the space to understand ourselves and gain new perspectives on identity and maybe a new sense of purpose. Therapy can involve a process of healing and recovery, leading to personal growth.

Psychological counselling may be useful if you -
1.) Have a persistent feeling of sadness, low mood and low energy, lacking motivation
2.) Often feel stressed, anxious or overwhelmed
3.) Struggling with procrastination
4.) Feel unhappy in your relationships with others or would like to improve your relationships
5.) Lack self-confidence or assertiveness
6.) Feel suicidal or have thoughts of harming yourself
7.) Are struggling to balance work and family commitments
8.) Are having difficulty making an important decision
9.) Are worried about the health and wellbeing of someone close to you

In order to obtain a rebate from Medicare, your General Practitioner must complete a Mental Health Treatment Plan with you and refer you to a Psychologist. Once a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral letter have been completed by your doctor, you will be able to obtain a Medicare rebate of $84.80* per session for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. You must visit your referring doctor after attending 6 counselling sessions, to ascertain whether further sessions are appropriate and if so, you may be referred for a further 4 sessions.

*Current as of September 2016. This may be subject to change.

Many private health insurance funds provide a rebate for services provided by psychologists. We encourage you to contact your health insurance fund prior to your appointment to find out whether your policy covers psychological services.