Accessing Psychology in Australia
Medicare
Medicare
In Australia, Medicare is one of the avenues available to support clients in subsidising psychology sessions.
Through Medicare’s Better Access initiative, clients are eligible to receive rebates for up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year.
The rebate will be dependent on what type of psychologist you access. Remember that psychologists also charge different rates, so the out of pocket cost per session can also vary. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Fee Schedule page, or give us a call.
If you’d like to access psychology sessions via Medicare’s Better Access initiative, see the following steps:
1. Visit your Doctor: Visit your GP or a psychiatrist and they will assess your mental health and create a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). This plan will outline the specific psychological services you require and provide you access to initial psychology sessions (typically six sessions may be granted).
2. Schedule an appointment: Once you have your Mental Health Care Plan, you can schedule an appointment with a psychologist who accepts Medicare referrals. Be sure to bring your plan and referral along to your first session.
3. Claiming your rebate: After your psychology session where payment is processed, you will be provided with a receipt. You can claim your Medicare rebate online through your myGov account linked to Medicare, by using the Medicare Express Plus app, or your psychologist may be able to process this for you on your behalf.
4. Review your progress: Your GP or psychiatrist will need to review your Mental Health Care Plan after sessions have been completed to determine if further sessions are required. They can then approve an additional four sessions.
If you have any additional questions, you can talk more to your GP, calling Medicare, or contacting us directly.
NDIS
NDIS
At Clear View Psychology we are dedicated to supporting NDIS participants in achieving their NDIS goals and lead meaningful and fulfilling lives. With over 8 years of experience in supporting individuals with disabilities, our team is passionate about offering high-quality psychological services tailored to the unique needs of each participant. We strive to create a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where NDIS participants can access the resources and assistance they need to thrive. Our goal is to empower individuals to enhance their mental health and well-being, while fostering personal growth and independence.
Therapy Services Offered:
We understand that NDIS participants have unique needs and goals. With this in mind, every therapeutic intervention, assessment and report is client-focused and tailored to address every participant’s unique strengths, needs and goals. Below is a summary of the psychological interventions and assessments offered at Clear View Psychology:
Psychological intervention
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours to improve emotional well-being and functioning.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages acceptance of private experiences and commitment to productive behaviour, helping individuals develop psychological flexibility.
Solution-Focused Therapy: A goal-oriented approach that helps individuals identify and utilise their strengths and resources to achieve their desired outcomes.
Trauma-Informed Therapy: Addresses the impact of trauma on mental health and well-being, promoting healing and resilience.
Mindfulness-Based Therapies: Integrate mindfulness practices to help individuals reduce stress, improve emotional regulation and enhance overall well-being.
NDIS Assessments and Reports:
Psychosocial Reports
Functional Capacity Reports
Intervention Summary Reports
Assessment Reports
Therapy Progress Reports
Capacity Building Assessment Reports
NDIS Funding and Fees:
NDIS participants can access psychological support under Improved Daily Living within their NDIS plans. If your plan is either Self-Managed or Plan-Managed, you are able to access services through Clear View Psychology.
As per NDIS guidelines, psychology sessions cost $214.41/hour. In addition to therapy and assessment sessions, your Psychologist may also bill for report writing, research, travel, taking client notes and stakeholder liaison where relevant.
Referral Process
If you are an NDIS participant, Support Coordinator or family member who would like to refer either yourself or your client to our services, please email us directly at clearviewpsychology@gmail.com. From there, we will be in touch shortly to discuss further.
Accessibility
At Clear View Psychology, we understand that every NDIS participant has their own unique set of strengths, goals and needs. Due to this, we aim to be as accessible as possible.
Our office is located on the ground floor with no steps, so this is perfect for those who require wheelchair access.
We also offer home or community-based appointments where needed (travel costs will need to be included).
We are also very flexible in offering phone or telehealth appointments where required.
If you have any additional specific needs that have not been mentioned above, please reach out and we would be more than happy to discuss ways where your needs can be accommodated.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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The NDIS covers a range of psychological services that can support participants in achieving their goals and improving their mental health and well-being. Some of the psychological services that may be covered by the NDIS include:
Assessments: Comprehensive psychological assessments to determine a participant's needs, goals and eligibility for NDIS funding.
Counselling and Therapy: Individual, group or family therapy sessions to address mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma and behavioural issues.
Psychoeducation: Providing participants and their support networks with information, resources and strategies to better understand and manage mental health conditions.
Skills Development: Assisting participants in developing skills related to communication, social interaction, emotional regulation and problem-solving to improve their daily functioning.
Crisis Intervention: Offering immediate support and assistance during a mental health crisis or emergency situation.
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To determine your eligibility for psychological services under the NDIS, you must first meet the general NDIS eligibility requirements, which include:
Age: You must be under 65 years old when you apply for NDIS support.
Residency: You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa.
Disability: You must have a permanent and significant disability that requires support from the NDIS.
Early Intervention: You may also be eligible if you require early intervention supports to reduce your future needs.
Once you've determined that you meet the general eligibility requirements, you'll need to show that the psychological services are reasonable and necessary to support your needs and goals. This can be done through a functional capacity assessment and a discussion with your NDIS planner or support coordinator. They will work with you to determine the specific supports and services that are most appropriate for your unique situation
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To request a referral to a Psychologist through the NDIS, you'll need to follow these steps:
Discuss your needs and goals with your NDIS planner or support coordinator: They will help you determine whether psychological services are appropriate and necessary for your situation.
Complete a functional capacity assessment: This assessment will help identify your needs and determine the most suitable supports and services.
Choose a Psychologist: You can search for Psychologists or ask your planner or support coordinator for recommendations.
Request a referral: Once you've identified a suitable Psychologist, your planner or support coordinator can provide you with a referral to access the psychological services you need.
Develop a service agreement: Work with your Psychologist to create a service agreement that outlines the services they will provide, the goals of the therapy and the funding arrangement.
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A Psychologist will assess your needs and develop a treatment plan through a series of steps that include:
Initial consultation: During the first session, the Psychologist will ask you questions about your mental health concerns, symptoms and overall functioning to gain a comprehensive understanding of your situation.
Psychological assessments: Depending on your concerns and goals, the Psychologist may administer standardised assessments, questionnaires or interviews to evaluate your cognitive, emotional and social functioning.
Diagnosis: Using the information gathered during the assessment, the Psychologist may provide a diagnosis, which can help guide the development of an appropriate treatment plan.
Goal setting: You'll work with the Psychologist to identify specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART) goals for your treatment.
Treatment plan development: Based on your goals, the Psychologist will develop a personalised treatment plan that outlines the therapy modalities, interventions and strategies that will be used to address your concerns and help you achieve your desired outcomes.
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The duration of therapy can vary widely depending on several factors, including the complexity of your concerns, your personal goals, your progress in therapy and the therapeutic approach being used.
It's essential to discuss your expectations and preferences with your Psychologist, as well as periodically review your progress and adjust your treatment plan accordingly to ensure you're receiving the most effective and efficient care.
If you haven’t found what you're looking for on this page, please reach out to us directly.
Alternatively, you can visit the NDIS website directly here.
Private
Private
You don’t need Medicare or NDIS to see a psychologist. Accessing a psychologist privately allows you to seek mental health support without the need for a referral or specific eligibility criteria.