Frequently Asked Questions

I'm sorry things feel so difficult right now. It's brave to ask for help. Please reach out to a trusted family member, friend, or the supports below, so someone can help you get through this moment.

If there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please call 000, or present to the emergency department (ED) at your local hospital for help.

If you are struggling, distressed, or need support, the below services are available any time of day:

• NSW Mental Health Line - 1800 011 511
• Lifeline - 131 114
• Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
• Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467
• Beyond Blue - 1300 22 46 36

Referral

You don't need a referral to book an appointment, but a referral from your GP (valid for 12 months) is needed to be eligible to receive a Medicare rebate.

Please email your plan (detailed below) before your first session to michelle@thegladepsychology.com.au, or bring along a copy to your first appointment.

Medicare

There are two main Medicare referrals you can talk to your GP about: 

1. Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)

• Your GP will complete a plan with you and write a referral letter. This means talking about what you need, and completing a brief 10-item questionnaire (called a K10).
• The referral letter needs to specify the number of sessions required.
• A MHCP entitles you to 10 Medicare rebated sessions per calendar year.
• After your sixth session, you need to return to the same GP for a review to be eligible to claim the remaining four sessions.

2. Eating Disorder Plan (EDP)

• Your GP will complete the EDP and list a Psychologist as part of your treatment team. This means talking about your needs and completing an Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q).
• If you meet criteria (as determined by your GP), an EDP allows up to 40 Medicare rebated sessions within a 12 month period. 
• There are some rules around accessing the full 40 sessions: 
• You will need to return to the same GP every 10 sessions for a review to continue to access additional sessions. 
• A specialist review by a psychiatrist or paediatrician is required before Session 20 to be eligible to access the remaining 20 sessions. As the waitlist for specialists can be very lengthy, we suggest booking an appointment or getting on a waitlist as soon as your EDP has started.

Private Health

Please check with your private health insurance provider if psychology is covered in your extras.

Please note that you can't claim a rebate from both Medicare and a private health fund for the same session.

Family-Based Treatment:

• Initial consultations / family meals - 80 minutes - $300
• Subsequent sessions - 50 minutes - $250

Individual Sessions:

• Initial consultation - 80 minutes - $280
• Subsequent sessions - 50 minutes - $230

Medicare rebate per session for those with MHCPs or EDPs is $131.65

The first session is mostly about getting to know each other, and beginning to understand what has brought you to therapy, your story, and what you hope to be different. This might include exploring your relationships with others, early experiences with caregivers, mental health history, and your strengths. 

As in all relationships, trust, safety, and connection take time to establish, and it is understandable that you may feel nervous about meeting and talking to someone new. The first session is also an oppoortunity for you to see how you feel about the therapist and their "fit" - meaning someone you feel open to building a trusting, safe, and productive relationship with over time.

• Anyone seeking assessments (e.g. cognitive, ADHD or ASD)
• Individuals seeking treatment under work cover
• Individuals experiencing acute psychotic symptoms
• Individuals seeking a court report 
• Individuals seeking treatment primarily for substance use disorder