Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a psychologist?
We all experience times of emotional stress and may struggle with navigating life issues. Sometimes we just want to talk things through and process what’s going on with an objective outsider and in some situations we may be experiencing increased emotional concerns or problems that are impacting on our ability to live life to the fullest.. that’s where we come in.
Psychologists have the professional training and clinical skills to help people learn to cope more effectively with life issues and their experience of any mental health concerns. Psychological treatment typically involves 'talking therapies' that are based in evidence to assist people to develop their skills to manage.
In many cases, people may benefit from a combination of medication and therapy so people may need the services of both a psychologist and a psychiatrist. Consultation with your GP may help you to clarify this.
Psychologists have the professional training and clinical skills to help people learn to cope more effectively with life issues and their experience of any mental health concerns. Psychological treatment typically involves 'talking therapies' that are based in evidence to assist people to develop their skills to manage.
In many cases, people may benefit from a combination of medication and therapy so people may need the services of both a psychologist and a psychiatrist. Consultation with your GP may help you to clarify this.
Assessments
When requesting for an assessment, it is important to have a specific question you want answered to tailor our approach and make the results more useful.
Can I make an appointment for therapy without a referral?
You do not need a referral for any of our therapy services. A referral and Mental Health Care Plan from your GP or psychiatrist is required if you wish to claim a rebate through Medicare for the sessions.
What to expect from your therapy sessions
Each session is 50 minutes in durations. During the first session your psychologist will need to understand your reasons for coming to therapy and any difficulties you are experiencing. To do this they will ask you a variety of questions which may include completing some questionnaires.
By the end of the first session, you and your psychologist will generally have established some shared goals for therapy, and will start to develop a treatment plan.
By the end of the first session, you and your psychologist will generally have established some shared goals for therapy, and will start to develop a treatment plan.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions required is dependent on each person’s individual needs and situation. This can be discussed further at your first session, where you and the psychologist can make plans to review the progress after a set number of sessions.
Research shows that therapy works best when you attend regularly and give some thought to what you want to discuss during each session. You will usually be asked to practice skills and strategies between sessions and the more effort you put into applying these skills, generally the more you will get out of therapy.
Research shows that therapy works best when you attend regularly and give some thought to what you want to discuss during each session. You will usually be asked to practice skills and strategies between sessions and the more effort you put into applying these skills, generally the more you will get out of therapy.
Medicare
Under the Medicare system a client must be referred by a GP or Psychiatrist. Your medical practitioner will assess your situation to determine whether you are eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) before referring you to a psychologist.
Eligible clients will require a referral together with a MHCP to claim a partial rebate ($93.35) for the cost of their session from Medicare. This can be claimed up to a maximum of 10 sessions per calendar year. These sessions can be face to face or via telehealth.
After the sixth session, your psychologist will provide a report to your referring medical practitioner and you must return to your medical practitioner for a review. Your practitioner will assess whether it is appropriate for you to access a further 4 sessions under the Medicare related referral.
If you do require additional sessions with your psychologist, no further Medicare rebates can be claimed. You may be able to make a claim for further psychology sessions if you are a private health fund member. Please check eligibility with your private health fund provider.
Eligible clients will require a referral together with a MHCP to claim a partial rebate ($93.35) for the cost of their session from Medicare. This can be claimed up to a maximum of 10 sessions per calendar year. These sessions can be face to face or via telehealth.
After the sixth session, your psychologist will provide a report to your referring medical practitioner and you must return to your medical practitioner for a review. Your practitioner will assess whether it is appropriate for you to access a further 4 sessions under the Medicare related referral.
If you do require additional sessions with your psychologist, no further Medicare rebates can be claimed. You may be able to make a claim for further psychology sessions if you are a private health fund member. Please check eligibility with your private health fund provider.
Can I use my existing plan Mental Health Care Plan if I have been seeing another psychologist and I want to change to Zingirlis Psychology?
If you have been seeing another psychologist and want to change to Zingirlis Psychology you can use your existing Mental Health Care Plan, provided you still have sessions available for the calendar year.
We do request a referral to Zingirlis Psychology from your GP to accompany the existing plan. Please make sure that referral stipulates how many sessions you have had with the other psychologist. You may be asked to consult with your medical practitioner for a review of your existing plan if 6 sessions have already been used
We do request a referral to Zingirlis Psychology from your GP to accompany the existing plan. Please make sure that referral stipulates how many sessions you have had with the other psychologist. You may be asked to consult with your medical practitioner for a review of your existing plan if 6 sessions have already been used
What is your cancellation policy?
We understand that unexpected things can occur in life and should you need to change an existing appointment, please let us know as soon as possible. This will allow us time to offer the appointment to someone else.
If you are not able to attend your appointment, we require at least 48 hours notice otherwise a cancellation fee will be applied. The cancellation fee would need to be paid prior to the scheduling of an other session.
If you are not able to attend your appointment, we require at least 48 hours notice otherwise a cancellation fee will be applied. The cancellation fee would need to be paid prior to the scheduling of an other session.
If I’m in crisis what can I do?
If you are in crisis present to your local emergency department (ED) for assessment and immediate treatment. If you cannot access your local ED, then you should ring 000 for immediate assistance from appropriate emergency services.
Other services you can contact include:
Other services you can contact include:
- Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
- Kids Help Line – 1800 551 800 (24/7 Crisis Support)
- Mensline – 1300 789 978 (24/7 Crisis Support)
- NSW Mental Health Access Line - 1800 011 511 (24/7 triage and assessment services)
- Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service – 1800 011 046 (24 hour hotline service)
FEES
Different services attract different fees. Please contact our office for more information
Please look at our Services page to obtain an idea of the different assessments we offer
