FAQ

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Many private health insurance funds provide a rebate for psychological services. Please contact your particular fund to see what rebate you will be due.

Psychologists are trained in a wide variety of psychological theories that relate to understanding, managing and changing the behaviour of individuals. A psychologist’s training also involves administering and interpreting psychological tests. In order to practice as a psychologist in Queensland, by law you need to be registered with the QLD Psychologist’s Registration Board.

Psychiatrists are first trained as medical doctors and then become specialists of psychiatric medicine. They are able to prescribe medication for mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and clinical depression. Psychiatrists often deal with admissions & discharges from hospital. Some psychiatrists exclusively prescribe medication and some choose to work exclusively as therapists.

By law, I am required to keep appropriate records of our sessions. Therapy often includes discussions of sensitive and private information, but normally only very brief records are kept noting that you have been, what was done in session, and a general mention of the topics discussed. Your records are maintained in a secure location.

The confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychologist is generally protected by law, and your therapist cannot tell anyone else what you have discussed or even that you are in therapy without your permission. In most situations, your information is only released to others if you sign a written authorisation form. However in some circumstances I am legally bound to take action even though that requires revealing some information about your treatment. The legal exceptions to this confidentiality include:
1. If you are threatening serious bodily harm to yourself or others, I may be required to take protective actions, which may include notifying the potential victim, notifying the police, or seeking appropriate hospitalisation.
2. If there is good reason to suspect abuse toward children, I am required by law to file a report with the appropriate agency.
3. In response to a court order or subpoena.

The number of visits needed vary depending on the problem and on the individual. Some problems are dealt with in 6 sessions others may need 12 or more. Once you start therapy you will begin to feel relief that you are finally dealing with your concerns. Each session usually last for 50 minutes and, depending on your issues, may be weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

Sessions involve a mixture of strategies depending on the issue that you are facing. I need to examine areas such as the extent of the problem, how long you have suffered, what are the causes, and how you feel about the problem. I normally conduct an evaluation that will last from 1 to 2 sessions. During this time, we can both decide if I am the best person to provide the services you need in order to meet your treatment goals. Once sessions are underway, you will begin to understand how your thoughts can influence your behaviour, we will explore the effects of the past on your current problems, and you will learn how to manage difficult emotions.

“Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.” ― Voltaire