FAQs

Getting Started

How do I make an appointment with a psychologist at Headstrong Psychology?

You can contact Headstrong Psychology by phone on 0431 998 351 or submit an enquiry through our online contact form. 

You can contact Headstrong Psychology by phone on 0431 998 351 or submit an enquiry through our online contact form. 
We complete a personalised intake process to understand what matters to you and help match you with a psychologist
whose experience, skills and approach are a good fit.

How long will the sessions be?

Each individual psychology session is 50 minutes in duration. 

Each individual psychology session is 50 minutes in duration. Please arrive on time so you can take advantage of the
full session. 

Who does Headstrong Psychology work with?

Headstrong Psychology works with adults aged 18 years and over. We support people experiencing a wide range of mental health conditions and life challenges.

These include anxiety and mood disorders, trauma and PTSD, neurodiversity support, women's health conditions, peri-natal mental health concerns, reproductive health issues, family and relationship issues, parenting dilemmas, substance use and addiction, and major life transitions.

For a full list, head to the Our Services page.

Headstrong Psychology works with adults aged 18 years and over. We support people experiencing a wide range of mental health conditions and life challenges. These include anxiety and mood disorders, trauma and PTSD, neurodiversity support, women's health conditions, peri-natal mental health concerns, reproductive health issues, family and relationship issues, parenting dilemmas, substance use and addiction, and major life transitions. For a full list, head to the Our Services page.

What types of therapy do you offer?

Our psychologists draw on science-backed therapies, including:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- EMDR
- Schema Therapy
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

For a full list, head to the Our Services page. 

Our clinical psychologists draw on science-backed therapies and tailor treatment to your unique concerns and preferences. Some of our therapies include; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR, Schema Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), among many others. For a full list, head to the Our Services page.

How do I know whether therapy is right for me?

Therapy may be helpful if you feel overwhelmed, anxious, flat, stuck, disconnected, affected by painful past experiences, or unsure how to navigate life's challenges.

Therapy may be helpful if you feel overwhelmed, anxious, flat, stuck, disconnected, affected by painful past experiences, 
or unsure how to navigate life's challenges.

What if I am not sure which psychologist to see?

What if I am not sure which psychologist to see?

We take the time to understand your concerns, goals and preferences, then use a personalised matching process to connect you with a clinical psychologist who has the skills, experience, and style that is right for you.

You can get to know our team on the Our Team page.

We take the time to understand your concerns, goals and preferences, then use a personalised matching process to connect you with a clinical psychologist who has the skills, experience, and style that is right for you. 
You can get to know our team on the Our Team page.

Attending Sessions

Where is Headstrong Psychology located?

Headstrong Psychology is located at Level 1, 395 Wattletree Road, in Malvern East, Melbourne, Victoria.

Please note: We are on the first floor, with a long flight of stairs and no lift. If you think accessibility may be an issue for you, please let us know.

Headstrong Psychology is located at Level 1, 395 Wattletree Road, in Malvern East, Melbourne, Victoria. Check out our
Contact Us page for a map of our location. Please note: We are on the first floor, with a long flight of stairs and no lift.
If you think accessibility may be an issue for you, please let us know.

Where can I park? Can I get there using public transport?

There is plenty of free, time-limited and unlimited parking in the streets surrounding our practice.

There is a tram stop (Stop 52) located outside our front door on Wattletree Road for Tram Route 5.

There is plenty of free, time-limited and unlimited parking in the streets surrounding our practice. There is a tram stop (Stop 52) located outside our front door on Wattletree Road for Tram Route 5.

Do you offer telehealth psychology appointments?

Yes. You may choose to attend your session via Telehealth if it is more convenient for you. Your psychologist will let you know if this is suitable given your concerns and therapy approach.

Please make sure you find a private space and secure internet connection to attend via Telehealth.

Yes. You may choose to attend your session via Telehealth if it is more convenient for you. Your psychologist will let you know if this is suitable given your concerns and therapy approach. Please make sure you find a private space and secure internet connection to attend via Telehealth.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment?

Please contact us as soon as possible to cancel or change an appointment. We ask that you provide at least 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule your session. This helps us offer the appointment time to another person who may be waiting for support. 

Do you charge a cancellation fee?

Yes. If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, please provide 24 hours notice via text, email or phone. 

If you do not provide 24 hours notice or do not attend, you will be charged the session fee in full ($270). Please note: You cannot claim a rebate on a cancellation fee.  

Yes. If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, please provide 24 hours notice via text, email or phone. If you do not provide 24 hours notice or do not attend, you will be charged the session fee in full ($270). 
Please note: You cannot claim a rebate on a cancellation fee.  

Is what I say to my psychologist private and confidential?

Psychology sessions are private and confidential, though there are limits to confidentiality.

Please read the information provided in our consent form prior to your first session and ask us any further questions you might have. 

Psychology sessions are private and confidential, though there are limits to confidentiality. Please read the information provided in our consent form prior to your first session and ask us any further questions you might have. 

What should I do if I need urgent mental health support?

Headstrong Psychology does not provide an emergency or crisis service. If you or someone else is at immediate risk, call 000.

For urgent mental health support in Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or attend your local hospital emergency department.

Headstrong Psychology does not provide an emergency or crisis service. If you or someone else is at immediate risk,
call 000. For urgent mental health support in Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or attend your local hospital emergency department.

First Session

What will happen in the first session?

Your psychologist will ask you what has brought you to therapy, your relevant past and current circumstances, and the changes you would like to make.

Your psychologist will also outline their approach and how you might work together. 

Your psychologist will ask you what has brought you to therapy, your relevant past and current circumstances, and the changes you would like to make. Your psychologist will also outline their approach and how you might work together.
You will have an opportunity to ask any questions about your care and decide whether you are comfortable to move forward with your treatment.

I’ve never seen a psychologist before. Is it normal to feel nervous?

I’ve never seen a psychologist before. Is it normal to feel apprehensive or nervous?

Yes. We will do our best to help you feel at ease, ask you questions about yourself and your circumstances, and let you know how we might be able to help you. 

I know I need help but there are some things I don’t feel ready to discuss. Is this ok?

Yes. We understand that it may take time for you to feel comfortable to speak about and trust your psychologist with certain topics. We'll give you the space and time you need to feel ready discuss these concerns. 

Yes! We understand that it may take time for you to feel comfortable to speak about and trust your psychologist with certain topics. That’s ok. Please let your psychologist know and they will give you the space and time you need to feel ready discuss these concerns. 

Fees and Rebates

How much does a session cost?

The cost of an individual psychology session (50 minutes) is $270
(or the Australian Psychological Society Recommended Fee of $330 for third parties). 

The cost of an individual psychology session (50 minutes) is $270 (or the Australian Psychological Society Recommended Fee of $330 for third parties). 

Do you offer bulk billing?

No. Headstrong Psychology is a private billing practice. 

No. Headstrong Psychology is a private billing practice. Please contact our team if you would like to discuss fees, rebates or any other practical considerations before booking.

How do I pay for the session?

The session fee is payable at the conclusion of each session via debit/credit card. You may choose to keep your card on your file. There are no transaction fees on payments. 

The session fee is payable at the conclusion of each session via debit/credit card. You may choose to place a debit or credit card on your file for payments. We do not offer tap-and-go payments. All debit and credit card payments are processed via our practice management software, Halaxy. You will not be charged a transaction fee on your payments. 

Are my credit card 
details stored securely?

Are my credit card details stored securely?

Yes. If you choose to put a card on your file for payments, the card is stored in our practice management system, Halaxy.

Once your card details have been entered into Halaxy, they are not visible to anyone at Headstrong Psychology or Halaxy.

Your card details will be deleted from your file once your treatment with Headstrong Psychology is completed. You can read more about Halaxy's payment processing here. 

Yes. When you provide your bank card details, they will be stored on your file in our practice management system, Halaxy. Once your card details have been entered into Halaxy, they are not visible to anyone at Headstrong Psychology or Halaxy. Your card details will be deleted from your file once your treatment with Headstrong Psychology is completed. You can read more about Halaxy's payment processing here. 

Do I need a GP referral to see a clinical psychologist?

No. You do not need a referral from a GP or any other healthcare provider to see a psychologist. However, many people do get a referral from their GP for a Mental Health Care Plan as this allows them to access a Medicare rebate for the sessions. 

No. You do not need a referral from a GP or any other healthcare provider to see a psychologist. However, many people do get a referral from their GP for a Mental Health Care Plan as this allows them to access a Medicare rebate for the sessions. You need to speak to your GP to determine if you are eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan.

Can I get a Medicare rebate for my psychology sessions?

You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate if you have a valid Mental Health Care Plan from your GP. Your GP will determine if you are eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan.

If you are provided with a Plan, you can access a rebate for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. Your GP will indicate how many sessions are available for rebate under each Plan. 

You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate if you have a valid Mental Health Care Plan from your GP. Your GP will determine if you are eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan. If you are provided with a Plan, you can access a rebate for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. Your GP will indicate how many sessions are available for rebate under each Plan. 

How much is the Medicare rebate?

The Medicare rebate for a Clinical Psychologist is $149.05 per session. 

If you are eligible for a rebate under a GP Mental Health Care Plan, you will receive a rebate of $149.05 per session with a Clinical Psychologist. All of the team at Headstrong Psychology are Clinical Psychologists. The rebate for General Psychologists is lower at $101.55. 

Will you process the Medicare rebate for me?

Yes. Once your session fee has been paid, we will process any eligible Medicare rebate via our practice management system, Halaxy.

Yes. Once your session fee has been paid, we will process any eligible Medicare rebate via our practice management system, Halaxy. Occasionally the rebates do not go through for a variety of reasons, in which case you will be provided with a receipt to use to claim directly with Medicare yourself.

Can I get a rebate using private health insurance?

Possibly. Each private health fund and policy differ, so you will need to check with your insurer whether you are eligible for a rebate on psychology sessions. 

Possibly. Each private health fund and policy differ, so you will need to check with your insurer whether you are eligible for a rebate on psychology sessions. Please note: You cannot claim a rebate from both Medicare and your private health fund for the same session. You can only claim a rebate from one or the other. We cannot process your private health insurance rebate for you but will provide you with a paid invoice to use for claiming. 

Still have a question?

Please get in touch on 0431 998 351 or submit a question via our contact form. 

GET IN TOUCH

If you'd like to discuss how we can help you,
please send us a message via our contact form.

We'd love to hear from you!

.

If you'd like to discuss how we can help you,
please get in touch via our contact form.

We'd love to hear
from you!

X  CLOSE MENU

NAVIGATE