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In order to remove symptoms of anxiety, pain, and trauma, one needs to unwire old neural pathways and rewire the brain with new, functional pathways. Traditional counselling does not do this. That is why we have introduced up to date, evidence technologies to facilitate this and supplement conventional treatments.
At Masterpiece Psychology we see our clients as individuals with needs, with a voice and with concerns. We take our time to get to know you so that we do not simply provide a one-size-fits-all solution.
We recommend a 3-session assessment in which you meet your psychologist and get to know each other. In the third session, you are given options and psychoeducation so that you are part of the treatment plan. A good relationship with your practitioner, and feeling understood and cared for are essential parts of successful treatment.
In order to receive a Medicare rebate you will need to first go to your GP who will determine your eligibility for a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). You have the right to choose the Registered or Clinical Psychologist you wish to see. You must bring your MHCP to your initial appointment.
Please note, it is up to your GP to grant the Mental Health Care Plan as well as the number of sessions you are eligible for. The Intake Specialists at Masterpiece Psychology Practice will do their best to assist you. It is not their fault if a GP does not give the documentation you require, or Medicare refuses a payment. Please be courteous and respectful to our staff.
Acquiring a new Mental Health Care Plan is necessary for each calendar year and involves ongoing reviews with your GP. Currently, you need to go at least twice to your GP in a calendar year. You need to go initially to get the plan and after session 6 for a review.
Our Intake Specialists are available to assist you with this complicated process. .
Fees are consistent with the Australian Psychological Society’s recommended rates. Session fees are payable at the time of the consultation. We accept Mastercard, Visa, Eftpos, and AFTERPAY.
We take full payment from you. We can process the Medicare claim for you as long as you have provided us with your Medicare Card details. For private health fund rebates, the onus is on you to claim your rebate.
If you have a mental health care plan from your GP you can receive a Medicare rebate of:
Rebates can be claimed through most private health funds. The amount will vary depending on your fund and your level of coverage.
When you call to make an appointment, you will speak with one of our friendly and caring Intake Specialists. They will answer any questions you have and work with you to find a time that suits you for an appointment. If you do not have a specific therapist in mind, they will need to ask a few brief questions to determine which psychologist is best suited to your needs.
If you have not seen a Clinical Psychologist or Psychologist before, it is common to feel a little anxious or hesitant about making the initial appointment. Most people feel more at ease once they have made that initial contact and attended their first appointment. We provide a warm, caring, and supportive atmosphere and are happy to answer questions at any time.
We recommend that you book at least 10 appointments when making your initial appointment, to avoid delays in follow-up appointments. Psychologists usually recommend seeing a client weekly to start to obtain the best results. Later, sessions may be spaced out depending on your individual needs. You and your psychologist will determine this together.
Our current policy is not to make a single booking for a new client. We have learnt from experience how demoralising it is to find a psychologist you like, be ready to proceed with treatment but cannot, as there are no available sessions. Our policy is for your benefit and well-being so please cooperate with the Intake Specialist.
You may not feel better straight away, sometimes people even feel worse before they begin to feel better. Meaningful change takes time. Therefore, it is important to persevere and not to miss appointments. If you are frustrated or want to cancel, please discuss what you are going through with your psychologist before dropping out.
We have limited capacity for bulk billing. However, as we are a placement for provisional psychologists, we do offer sessions for $140 per session with the student or pro bono in cases of financial need.
In rare cases, when we do bulk bill, it is only for individuals who have a Centrelink/Concession Card (Commonwealth Government Health Care card), a valid Medicare card and a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP.
To encourage people to keep all their appointments, we have regrettably brought in a cancellation fee for bulk billing clients and clients working with a student. . This fee of $50 is applicable for all clients who do not cancel 24 hours in advance.
We like to work with committed patients who demonstrate their commitment.
Bulk billing clients, or pro bono clients, who do not show up for their initial appointment will be removed from the calendar. If 2 consecutive sessions are missed without proper cancellation, all subsequent appointments will be removed from the system.
We require cancellation with a minimum of 24 hours in advance. We send reminder texts 48 hours before a session so it is easy to cancel if you cannot make it. We appreciate it if 48 hours’ notice, or more, is provided if you need to reschedule an appointment.
Failure to cancel without 24 hours’ notice incurs the full appointment fee.
Clinical Psychologists are Registered Psychologists who have extended their training. Clinical Psychologists have a minimum of a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with a further two years of supervised clinical practice after receiving their degree. Clinical Psychologists have Clinical Psychology endorsement with the Psychology Board of Australia and are Clinical Psychology providers under Medicare.
All our psychologists are experienced clinicians and are supervised by the Principal, Renee Mill ensuring high-quality psychological care.
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your first appointment to complete any required paperwork.
Your first session is dedicated to obtaining some background information, a detailed understanding of the nature of your concerns and the areas where you would like our help. Sometimes a plan of treatment is discussed in the first session but often it is not. A lot of background detail may be required before treatment formulation is complete. Your psychologist will answer any questions to provide clarity and confidence in the way forward.
If you are coming about your child, our Intake Specialist will inform you about who needs to be at the first session and what is required.
If you are seeking couple counselling, there may be specific requirements that you will be told about.
Sessions are 50 minutes long. At Masterpiece Psychology, we start and end sessions on time. If you are late, your session will still end at the same time. Please be mindful of the time in the sessions and work with your psychologist to keep within the time limit.
This will depend on your individualised treatment plan. Your psychologist will collaborate with you to decide on an effective treatment path that will suit your needs.
In couples therapy, you can expect to discuss the issues in your relationship in a safe and neutral environment. We will guide you through improving communication, understanding each other’s perspectives, and developing strategies to address your relationship challenges.
The duration varies depending on the couple’s specific issues and goals. Some see improvements in a few sessions, while others may need longer-term therapy.
No, couples therapy is for any committed relationship, regardless of marital status. It’s for partners who want to improve their relationship.
Yes, ACT often involves exercises and homework. These might include mindfulness practices, journaling, or tasks that align with your values. These exercises help you apply what you learn in therapy to your daily life.
The goal of ACT is not to eliminate pain or anxiety but to help you live a fulfilling life despite them. It teaches you to handle these experiences more effectively.
No, you do not need a referral to see a psychologist. However, if you wish to receive a Medicare rebate, you do need to consult with a GP and obtain a mental health care plan.
Individuals, couples, and families commonly see us without a mental health care plan. Many people have been referred directly by word of mouth, with recommendations from their family, friends, or school, or visiting our website online.
In order to receive a Medicare rebate, you will need to first go to your GP who will determine your eligibility for a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). You have the right to choose the Registered or Clinical Psychologist you wish to see. You must bring your MHCP to your initial appointment.
Please note, it is up to your GP to grant the Mental Health Care Plan as well as the number of sessions you are eligible for. The Intake Specialists at Masterpiece Psychology Practice will do their best to assist you. It is not their fault if a GP does not give the documentation you require, or Medicare refuses a payment. Please be courteous and respectful to our staff.
You are welcome to bring someone for support, but they may be asked to wait outside during parts of the assessment to ensure your privacy and comfort in sharing personal information.
For some assessments a family member or support/carer may be required to collect additional information. This will be discussed before commencement of the assessment.
Coverage for psychological assessments varies greatly and we recommend you contact your insurance provider or Medicare. You should check with your insurance company to understand what is covered under your policy.
If you have concerns about the assessment findings, we can discuss them in detail. You are also entitled to seek a second opinion from another mental health professional.
If EMDR doesn’t seem effective, we can look at other therapeutic options. The effectiveness can vary, and sometimes a different approach might be more suitable.
Yes, you have the choice to select your own service providers, including therapists and counsellors, under the NDIS. It’s important to choose professionals who are registered with the NDIS and who meet your specific needs.
The time to see results can vary. Some people notice changes within a few sessions, while others may need more time, often 30+ sessions. It depends on the individual and the specific issues being addressed. For example, ADHD has been shown to require 30 sessions for long-term change.
Managing your emotions is crucial in effective parenting. Techniques like mindfulness, stress management, and taking time for self-care are important. We can work on strategies to help you manage these feelings.
Location: Suite 18, Level 3, Edgecliff Mews, 201 New South Head Rd, Edgecliff NSW 2027
Public Transportation: Masterpiece Psychology is only a 1-minute walk from Edgecliff Station. Several bus routes go past the offices of Masterpiece Psychology.
Parking: On-street parking is available, and paid parking stations are nearby.
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