Do I need a referral to see a Psychologist?

When referred by a GP under a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) you are entitled to access 10 Medicare rebated sessions per calendar year. Our friendly team have online Medicare claiming facilities available allowing us to process your rebate after completion of your appointment.

Alternatively, you may also wish to use Private Health Insurance subject to your individual cover or attend as a full-fee paying client without a referral. NDIS self managed or plan managed options are also available. For any questions, contact your NDIS Local Area Co-Ordinator (LAC).

What should I expect at my first Psychology appointment?

At the first appointment the Psychologist will take a detailed history and discuss with you mutually agreed upon treatment goals. This is a good time to run by the Psychologist any questions you might have. You may also use this time to discuss with your Psychologist the frequency of sessions required based on your individual needs. This can be reviewed as treatment progresses. All Psychology appointments are 50 minutes in duration.

Am I required to sit in on my child’s appointments?

The first session (when a child is the client) is a parent-only session. This is an opportunity for the parent/caregiver to meet the Psychologist without the child present to discuss any concerns they may have and formulate treatment goals. At subsequent sessions, the Psychologist will encourage the child to attend the session without the parent, but will invite the parent into the session with the child present for the last 10 minutes of the session to advise of any strategies that can be completed at home for a unified approach.

What is your cancellation policy at Umbrella?

All clients will receive a SMS reminder 5 days prior to their scheduled appointment. To avoid a cancellation fee, please allow 48 hours notice (or 2 business days) so that we can offer the appointment slot to another client. In the event that you are feeling unwell, a Telehealth appointment will be offered to you as an alternative via a secure online platform or a phone call depending on your personal preference.