Frequently Asked Questions
- All
- Autism and Neurodevelopmental Conditions
- Can I Change Practitioners
- Cancellation Fees
- File Requests
- Frequency
- Location
- Medicare Rebates
- Mental Health Care Plan
- Mental Health Professionals
- NDIS
- Online Booking
- Patient Portal
- Referrals
- Session Length
Due to the increasing number of clients cancelling with little notice, booking and not attending, or attending but having already exhausted their NDIS, Workcover or CTP funds, we now require a credit card on file which is used to cover such events. In the event the credit card has insufficient funds, we reserve the right to engage debt collection services.
There is nothing wrong with switching therapists. Sometimes people may do this if they feel it is not a ‘good fit’. But before you do, first consider why you want to change therapists. Next, it is always best to chat to the therapist and let them know you are thinking about seeing someone else (sometimes chatting about the ‘elephant in the room’ strengthens rapport and you may find that you don’t need to change). Think about what worked and what did not work and what you are looking for. In collaboration with the therapist (or our admin team or director) we will transition you to another practitioner.
No psychometric test scores (subtests, composite scores and FSIQ) cannot be provided to non-psychologists. However, we can provide psychometric test results to other psychologists (but not a copy of the test record or response forms as this generally goes against copyright laws), but we require the following for clinical recordkeeping requirements:
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- A letter giving your consent to release this information to the interested party
- A letter from the relevant professional outlining how the raw scores are clinically relevant to your current presenting issues and why this information cannot be ascertained from the report the psychologist wrote after completing the assessment
- You pay an administration fee before this information is released
Please remember that test results are a snapshot of a person at that time and scores should never be used in isolation to make decisions especially by someone who did not observe the test taker at that time.
(Refer to APS Ethical Guidelines for Psychological Assessment and the Use of Psychological Tests section 2.8, 2.17, 2.18 & other relevant sections).
Ethical guidelines for psychological assessment and use of psychological tests.pdf
Yes, but we require the following for clinical recordkeeping requirements:
- A letter giving your consent to release this information to the interested party
- A letter from the relevant professional outlining what information they are after and its clinical relevance to your current presenting issues
- You pay an administration fee before this information is released
With consideration to legislative exceptions and organisational requirements, yes we can release information to current and previous clients (excluding psychometric test scores). We require:
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- A letter indicating what information you are after
- Whether you would like to review this information in person with the psychologist (so they can clarify any areas of concern and answer any questions), look over the records alone or whether you would like a paper copy.
- You will need to give us 20 business days
- You pay an administration fee before this information is released.
NB. If giving access would pose a serious threat to the life or health of someone the relevant information will not be released.
In most instances yes. You can book online using our websites “book now” button or search for the practitioner you prefer by the Halaxy directory. Depending on the practitioner’s preferred settings you will be given the option to select from specific times /days available or make a request for a specific time/day.
Practitioners who are solely Telehealth will need to booked via 1300 3666 14
At The Psychology Hub, we use Halaxy , a fantastic software that allows us to streamlines our services and minimises our paper trail. This software is also a platform for patients. It allows you to book online, manage your appointments and invoices, create a list of your practitioners and track your health. You can also enable access to your patient portal by family members, sync your Healthkit calendar with other iCal-enabled calendar and allow your practitioner to share case notes if they choose.
Assessment:
- A consultant paediatrician or a consultant psychiatrist can refer under the Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder MBS assessment items (previously HCWA).
- This can be for up to 8 assessment sessions (in a lifetime) across a range of allied health professionals including psychology (other allied health include, Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Audiologist, Optometrist, Orthoptist, Physiotherapist).
- Only 4 can be allocated per discipline at a time before a review with the referring practitioner (case conference, phone call, written correspondence etc) would be needed for more.
- Concurrent referrals to different allied health practitioners can be made.
- Eligibility has increased from 13 years to up to 25 years of age.
- An allied health practitioner (in consultation with the referrer) can make an interdisciplinary referral.
- Allied health assessment items can also be used for assistance with developing a treatment and management plan.
- You will need to pay for your full appointment costs at the time of your appointment and then you will receive a Medicare rebate (if the correct referral is in place). There is always an out of pocket cost as we are not a bulk billing provider
Treatment:
Medicare:
- Once a diagnosis of a Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder has been made, and the consultant paediatrician or consultant psychiatrist has a treatment and management plan in place, they can refer to eligible allied health treatment practitioners (e.g., Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Audiologist, Optometrist, Orthoptist, Physiotherapist) for a total of 20 allied health treatment services (per lifetime)
- The paediatrician or psychiatrist can refer to multiple eligible allied health practitioner concurrently
- There is a maximum of 10 services per course of treatment.
- Eligibility has increased from 15 years of age to 25 years of age
- You will need to pay for your full appointment costs at the time of your appointment and then you will receive a Medicare rebate (if the correct referral is in place). There is always an out-of-pocket cost as we are not a bulk billing provider.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS):
The NDIS provides support to eligible people with intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial disability. Early intervention supports can also be provided for eligible people with disability or children with developmental delay.
To access NDIS services and become a participant you must:
- Be an Australian citizen, or hold a permanent visa or a Protected Special Category visa,
- Reside in Australia
- Be aged less than 65 years old when initially entering NDIS
- Have a permanent disability that significantly impacts your ability to participate in everyday activities
To check if you are eligible click here go to www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/am-i-eligible
If you meet the criteria and you would like to become a NDIS participant, call 1800 800 110 and ask to make an Access Request.
Yes we are registered. We are presently providing supports for Therapeutic Supports and Early Childhood Intervention.
Yes. From 1/7/23 Medicare offers $81.90 for Mental Health Accredited Social Workers, $92.90 for General Psychologists, $136.35 for Clinical Psychologists. Art Therapists and Counsellors CANNOT provide services under Medicare and Rebates do not apply. Some counsellors can provide services under Private Health Funds.
- Check that Medicare has your bank account details (this can be done via MyGov. Your practitioner cannot do this for you)
- If Medicare does have your bank account details then double check with your practitioner that they have processed the rebate (or consider looking at your invoice on the patient portal if you have signed up)
- If your practitioner has tried to process the rebate and Medicare does not have your bank account details then you will need to provide Medicare with your bank details and receipt from your appointment (we cannot do this for you). Future Medicare rebates will be able to be processed with us once you have set up your bank details.
- If none of the above work you will need to consider whether you have used up your mental health care or other plan limits or if your GP has correctly assigned an MHCP.
- Check your therapist can provide Medicare rebatable services. Don’t forget that a counsellor or art therapist cannot provide Medicare rebates.
Usually, the referral documents from your GP is headed “Mental Health Assessment Plan” for an initial 6 sessions or “Review of Mental Health Plan” for 4 additional sessions. Usually, patients also sign the plan. If you are not sure ask your doctor to specify it is an MHCP, the number of sessions, presenting concerns, and their professional details including provider number.
If it says Brisbane Minds this is not the same as an MHCP
If it says Enhanced Primary Care Plan/Chronic Disease Management Plan and the GP has allocated a number of allied health sessions out of 5, this is also not an MHCP (but we do accept these and there is a small rebate for this type of referral. However, it is best to save these sessions for other allied health professionals since this may be the only rebate they can offer).
No, you can self-refer. However, if you wish to receive Medicare rebates a referral would be needed.
Of course, come back whenever you need!
It’s also a good idea to follow your relapse prevention plan (if you have one) to identify early warning signs, coping tools and when it might be a good idea to return to therapy. Just remember relapse or a recurrence of mental health difficulties is very common. You are not alone, there is no need to be embarrassed, and the sooner you get onto it, the faster we can get you back on the track to recovery
This depends on your presenting concerns, the complexity of your situation and any risk factors. Generally, patients attend weekly to fortnightly and then over a period of time, the gap between sessions lengthen.
During the pandemic this service has been placed on hold
This is usually to allow the practitioner time to write case notes, prepare for further appointments, provide progress letters to GP’s, and ‘as a buffer’ in case the session runs longer than anticipated and as to not disrupt the next patient.
If this is your first appointment, you will have been emailed a Patient Intake/Service Agreement Form and Verification code. To save time, please complete this BEFORE your appointment. If you can’t find the email, check your email junk box, still no luck! Contact 1300 3666 14 or email info@thepsychologyhub.com.au to have another one resent.
Instead of using eftpos facilities and passing on transaction fees, we use Halaxy to take payments and provide government rebates (instead of you taking receipts to Medicare, which is very time consuming) and pass on these fees to you (maximum cost 1.9% + $1 per transaction). NB. We don’t charge for SMS or email reminders. Processing fees differ for some NDIS patients.
- A psychiatrist has an MD and their primary mode of treatment is pharmacological. Psychologists do not prescribe medication, but offer talk based therapies in conjunction with any pharmacological intervention offered by your psychiatrist or GP.
- In Australia counselling is unregulated (whereas psychology is highly regulated). Unfortunately, this means almost anyone can call themselves a counsellor. Qualifications vary considerably (some may have a 2-day course while others a master’s degree).
At The Psychology Hub we only hire counsellors who are ACA or PACFA members. Our Counsellors must have a Bachelors, Masters and/or Post-graduate Diploma. - Psychologists have a minimum of 6 years training including supervised clinical practice and must be registered with AHPRA. Psychologists can gain endorsements in Australia by furthering their study and qualification (e.g., to become a Clinical Psychologist).
