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Virtual Reality (VR) therapy is a powerful tool that offers innovative ways to address various psychological and physical health issues, including anxiety, trauma, neurodiversity, poor sleep, and chronic pain.
Here at Masterpiece Psychology, we integrate VR therapy into our treatment plans to address these concerns and enhance psychological well-being of our patients. Contact us today for an assessment and see if VR Therapy is right for you.
Virtual Reality (VR) technology is increasingly becoming popular in psychological practice as it enhances traditional therapy methods, providing immersive and controlled environments that can be tailored to individual therapeutic needs.
Here’s how VR therapy works in our practice:
The first step involves assessing whether VR therapy is appropriate for your specific needs and conditions. We consider factors like your comfort with technology and any potential triggers within VR environments.
Based on the assessment, specific therapeutic goals are established. These goals might relate to managing anxiety, overcoming phobias, improving social skills, or addressing PTSD symptoms.
VR software offers a range of environments and scenarios that can be tailored to meet individual therapeutic goals. For example, someone with a fear of flying might be gradually exposed to virtual airport and flight experiences.
During VR sessions, you will wear a VR headset and be immersed in a virtual environment. We will guide you through the whole experience. Sessions can range from exposure therapy to practising mindfulness in calming virtual settings.
We will monitor your progress and response to VR therapy, making adjustments to the VR scenarios or therapeutic approach as needed.
Here at Masterpiece, we integrate VR therapy with other therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to provide a comprehensive treatment plan. The combination of VR and traditional therapy techniques can enhance outcomes and help you overcome your challenges.
Speak with us so we can assess you and develop a strategy to treat your condition.
VR therapy can simulate situations that trigger anxiety, allowing individuals to practise coping strategies and gradually desensitise to stressors in a controlled, safe environment. This exposure therapy approach helps reduce anxiety over time.
For trauma and PTSD, VR provides a way to safely revisit traumatic events or triggers under the guidance of a therapist. This controlled exposure can help individuals process and integrate traumatic memories and reduce their impact.
VR therapy can offer distraction and pain management techniques by immersing individuals in engaging virtual environments that draw attention away from pain. Additionally, VR can teach pain coping strategies and relaxation techniques that alter the perception of pain.
Individuals with neurodiverse conditions like ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) can benefit from VR's structured and immersive environments to practise social skills, routine tasks, or cope with sensory sensitivities. VR can also offer predictable, repeatable scenarios that help with learning and adaptation.
VR can promote relaxation and mindfulness through immersive experiences designed to calm the mind and body. Virtual environments depicting serene landscapes or guided meditation sessions can help individuals unwind and prepare for sleep, addressing issues like insomnia or sleep disturbances.
Book an appointment with us so we can figure out your needs and find the best psychologist for you.
We offer a range of evidence-based, drug-free treatments for anxiety , trauma, neurodiversity, poor sleep and chronic pain.
Masterpiece Psychology was founded by Renee Mill, a clinical psychologist and occupational therapist with 40 years of clinical experience. She is a dedicated researcher on anxiety solutions.
She has written three books and a treatment manual on anxiety and has presented to various
organisations and media outlets.
Renee has handpicked her team of highly qualified
psychologists, psychotherapists, and hypnotherapists
and guarantees you will receive quality services and
professionalism.
From our practitioners to our reception staff, the whole team is empathic and supportive to ensure that you feel understood and cared for throughout your therapy journey.
Our psychologists have varying fees that can suit every budget. This allows us to help more people of all ages and from all walks of life.
Choose sessions that best fit your schedules and preferences. We can help you even if you live in far locations, have mobility issues, or prefer the comfort of your own home.
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.
VR therapy is effective for many people, but like any therapeutic approach, its effectiveness can vary based on the individual’s condition, their responsiveness to VR environments, and their overall engagement with the therapy process.
An initial assessment can help determine if VR therapy is a suitable option.
Some individuals may experience motion sickness, dizziness, or discomfort from wearing the VR headset, especially after prolonged use. These side effects are usually temporary and can often be mitigated by adjusting the session length and ensuring the VR equipment is properly configured.
Yes, VR therapy can be conducted at home for some individuals, depending on the nature of their therapy goals and the VR program being used. This typically requires access to VR equipment and remote guidance or monitoring by a therapist.
VR therapy can be integrated as a complementary tool alongside your existing treatment plan. It can enhance traditional therapeutic methods by providing additional ways to practise skills, exposure, or relaxation techniques.
If you feel uncomfortable during a VR therapy session, the session can be paused or stopped immediately. It’s important to communicate any discomfort to your therapist, who can adjust the therapy approach or explore alternative methods.
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-based 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.
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.
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 for a further 4 sessions.
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:
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(s).
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.
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.
We live in a society where the medical model prevails. It is a sickness model. You go to the doctor when things are not working and they “fix” you, usually with medication. While medication for ADHD is highly successful for many children, they are not for everyone.
Masterpiece Psychology utilises other, well-proven, researched treatments for ADHD.
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