Question 1

What if I need support now?

Accepted Answer

For life-threatening situations, dial 000 or visit the nearest Emergency Department. Reach out for immediate support by calling:Mental Health Crisis Line (24/7) at 1300 651 251Lifeline Australia (24/7) at 13 11 14Beyond Blue (24/7) at 1300 22 4636.E-Headspace (9am - 1am) at 1800 650 890 & online at LinkAges 12 - 25Kids Helpline (24/7) at 1800 55 1800 & online at LinkAges 5 - 25Mercy Mental Health Triage: PH: 1300 657 259 (24/7)Parentline (8am - midnight) at 13 22 89Support for parents & carers of children up to 18 yearsSuicide Call Back Service (24/7) at1300 659 467 & online at Link​Additionally:Schedule an appointment with your GP for ongoing care.Explore our Resource page

Question 2

How do I choose the right therapist?

Accepted Answer

Your doctor will be able to help you find a therapist that they have worked with before and/or someone who has experience in the area that is concerning you.  
You may be offered a choice of several therapists you could see. Some may be busier than others. 
You could also ask for a recommendation from trusted sources such as friends and family.
To decide who to choose, consider the therapist’s:
Qualifications and experience
Areas of interest
Location
Availability
Cost
Health cover, NDIS, Work cover, TAC, Concessions cards

If you choose to see a therapist as a private patient, you may need to pay the therapist's fees and you will not always be able to claim reimbursement from your insurer.

Question 3

Do I need a referral to see a psychologist?

Accepted Answer

If you would like to see a psychologist under a mental health care plan, then you will require a referral from your GP. However, if you’re planning to see the psychologist and will be paying out of pocket or via private health insurance, you will not require a mental health care plan.

Question 4

What is a mental health care plan?

Accepted Answer

A Mental health care plan, also called Better Access, was designed by the federal government to subsidise sessions with a psychologist. Currently, the government provides 10-sessions per calendar year at a subsidised rate. You must visit your GP to obtain a mental health care plan. They usually provide you with a referral for 6 sessions first, and then you’ll need to go in for a review to obtain a further 4 sessions.

Question 5

What can I expect from my first session?

Accepted Answer

At Conscious Calm Psychology, the sessions go for 50 minutes. The first session is designed for your therapist and you to get familiar with one another. You can expect your psychologist to go through some basics including confidentiality as well as asking you some questions about yourself and your history.

Question 6

How long do I need to see a psychologist?

Accepted Answer

There are no set rules about how long you should see a psychologist. It can depend on what concerns you’re experiencing and what you’re hoping to gain from therapy. Some people stay for a few sessions, while others see their psychologist over years. Some people see therapy as a short to medium term commitment, while others feel that they like having maintenance sessions (kind of like a car service!).

Question 7

What are the different types of therapy?

Accepted Answer

At Conscious Calm Psychology, our clinical psychologists work across a range of different types of therapies. We encourage you to become familiar with those listed below, however our psychologists will be guided by your presenting issue and progress. Some include:
- Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) which looks at how we think, feel, and behave. This type of therapy assumes that these facets are all intertwined. This approach means we can challenge the way we think about something, which can ultimately change how we feel and act. 
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can help us stay mindful in the present moment and accept thoughts and feelings without judgement. This approach has a focus on what our true values are, and finding ways to live in accordance with them. 
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) has a focus on understanding how two things that are opposite can both be true. This approach is a combination of CBT and ACT therapies. This therapy looks at how to accept ourselves but also aim to change and adapt.

Question 8

What’s the difference between a psychologist, psychiatrist, or counsellor?

Accepted Answer

At Conscious Calm Psychology, we're a team of clinical psychologists. That means we have completed a masters degree in clinical psychology and we specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Psychologists have high ethical and professional codes of conduct to which they must adhere and are required to meet strict standards to be registered as a psychologist. 
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in mental health. They are able to prescribe medications when necessary. Some psychiatrists can offer therapy while others offer brief, medical based intervention. 
A counsellor is someone who is trained to give guidance on personal or psychological problems. The training requirements are not often standardised across institutions or courses and so sometimes they may not be adequately equipped to manage certain presentations.

FAQs

We're here to help