FAQ
3. What is the difference between a clinical psychologist and a registered psychologist?
4. What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
7. Can I claim back on my private health insurance?
8. Do you have HICAPS facilities?
9. Who is eligible for psychology sessions under Medicare?
10. Can I use my private heath insurance and medicare referral together?
11. What is the cost of each session?
12. How will I know therapy is working?
15. What is hypnotherapy used for?
1. Why choose LifePsyche?
At LifePsyche we aim to help our clients to be the best they can be!!!
LifePsyche has female registered psychologists, an hypnotherapist and dietetian.
Our practitioners have specialised areas of expertise and are continually enhancing their knowledge and professional expertise to ensure that our clients benefit from up-to-date treatment practices and information.
Appointments are available at both our Norman Park and Springwood locations. Our practitioners are available at different times Monday – Friday for both daytime and evening appointments. Suicidal/urgent clients are given preference.
2. What is a psychologist?
Psychologists are experts in human behaviour and assist people to find ways of functioning more efficiently and get more out of every day life. They are able to assess, diagnose and treat people with a wide range of emotional and behavioural problems and help them cope more effectively with everyday stressors.
3. What is the difference between a clinical psychologist and a registered psychologist?
All psychologists are legally required to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This means that they must be competent and follow a strict Code of Conduct. Not all counsellors or therapists are registered psychologists. Seeing someone who is registered ensures you receive high quality and ethical treatment.
Clinical psychologists are specialists in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems and mental illness. They are located in private practice, hospitals, universities, general medical practices, community health centres and mental health services.
Both clinical and registered psychologists work with infants, children, adolescents, adults and older adults, depending on their areas of specialisation.
4. What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
Psychologists and clinical psychologists do not have a medical degree, however, many study for a similar number of years as medical doctors to specialise in various aspects of psychology. Psychologists and Clinical Psychologists cannot prescribe medication – their treatments are based on changing behaviour without medication. There is a considerable amount of evidence showing psychological treatments are effective.
Psychiatrists have a medical degree, which involves six years of studying general medicine, followed by further study of the mind to specialise in psychiatry. They specialize in treating mental illness, for example schizophrenia. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication. Some combine medication with other forms of therapy. (sourced from the Australian Psychological Society)
5. What do psychologists do?
A session with a psychologist involves detailed discussion of the issues concerning the client. The first consultation involves gathering background history and collaborative goal setting in relation to the presenting issue. The psychologist then intervenes by:
- Assessing the emotional, intellectual and behavioural functioning of the client
- Exploring the thoughts, emotions and behaviour of the client and tracing their origins
- Helping the client develop effective ways of controlling and coping with these difficulties
- Helping the client to implement changes that enhance wellbeing and awareness, and alleviate the presenting problems.
6. Will I need a referral?
You do not require a referral to see a LifePsyche practitioner. However, if you wish to claim psychological rebates through Medicare you will need to see your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician for a referral to a psychologist, as Medicare will not accept your claim without the relevant referral information. See Medicare FAQ for further information. Private health funds do not usually require medical authorisation.In all cases, rebates from Medicare and private halth funds do not apply to services provided by intern psychologists.
7. Can I claim back on my private health insurance?
Some private health funds pay rebates for psychological and dietetic services, provided that the client has ‘extras’ cover. Clients are advised to check with their health fund about their eligibility requirements before making an appointment.
Hypnotherapy may not be able to be rebated through a private health funds so checking with your health fund before accessing hypnotherapy services is recommended.
8. Do you have HICAPS facilities?
Yes, we have HICAPs facilities at our head office in Norman Park and at Springwood. HICAPS is an electronic health claiming and payment system. You can claim automatically after your psychology / dietetic treatment without having to make a separate trip to your heath fund or medicare.
9. Will my psychology sessions be covered by Medicare?
As mentioned in FAQ #6, if you wish to claim psychological rebates through Medicare you will need to see your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician for a referral to a psychologist, as Medicare will not accept your claim without the relevant referral information. If you which to ascertain your eligibility for psychological services under Medicare’s Better Access to Mental Health it is advisable that you book a long session with your treating doctor. Your doctor will conduct an assessment to determine if you have a diagnosed mental disorder (see list below) that will allow you to access psychology services through medicare.
Based on our current schedule of fees, and after receiving the Medicare rebate, clients will pay:
$75.00 a session with a registered Psychologist (instead of $155.00).
Note: Rebates from Medicare do not apply to services provided by intern psychologists.
About the Better Access to Psychologists Through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)
On 1 November 2006, the Australian Government introduced new Medicare items for psychological treatment by registered psychologists. This service provides considerable assistance to people living with mental heath problems, allowing them greater access to psychologists and providing more affordable mental healthcare.
Under the new Medicare scheme, all registered psychologists who are endorsed by Medicare Australia can provide treatment for mental health problems.
New Medicare services promote a team approach to mental health care, with general practitioners, psychiatrists and paediatricians encouraged to work with psychologists, and other allied mental health professionals as well as mental health nurses, to increase the availability of care. (sourced from www.health.gov.au)
The following conditions are eligible for referral for up to 12 sessions per annum under the new system:
- Mood disorders
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Phobias
- Generalised anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive disorder
- Mixed anxiety and depression
- Psychotic disorders including schizophrenia and drug-induced psychosis
- Adjustment disorders
- Unexplained somatic complaints
- Conduct disorder
- Attention deficit disorder
- Bereavement disorder
- Eating disorders
- Alcohol use disorders
- Sleep problems
- Sexual disorders
- Enuresis (non-organic)
- Other mental disorders
Dementia, delirium, tobacco use disorder and mental retardation are not eligible for this program.
(sourced from the Department of Health and Ageing –www.health.gov.au)
For further information you can download the Australian Psychological Society Medicare FactSheet – http://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/Medicare_Fact_Sheet1.pdf
10. Can I use my private heath insurance and medicare referral together?
No
11. What is the cost of each session?
| LifePsyche Group Program Schedule of Fees (individual) | |||
| Consultation | Duration | Fee | |
| Initial Psychology | 1 hour | $155 | |
| Review Psychology | 1 hour | $155 | |
| Review Psychological | ½ hour | $90 | |
| Initial Hypnotherapy | 1 hour | $155 | |
| Review Hypnotherapy | 1 hour | $155 | |
| Review Hypnotherapy | ½ hour | $90 | |
| Initial Dietetic | 1 hour | $155 | |
| Review Dietetic | 1 hour | $155 | |
| Review Dietetic | ½ hour | $90 | |
| Review Dietetic | ¼ hour | $45 | |
12. How will I know therapy is working?
At LifePsyche we use client feedback scales to monitor your progress provide you with feedback during treatment. Feedback scales enable LifePsyche practitioners to identify and correct areas of weakness in the delivery of services before having a negative effect on outcome. LifePsyche practitioners collaborate with you to set clear treatment goals at the onset of therapy
13. What is hypnotherapy?
In therapy, hypnosis usually involves the person experiencing a sense of deep relaxation with their attention narrowed down, and focused on appropriate suggestions made by the therapist.”
These suggestions help people make positive changes within themselves. A hypnotist merely helps to facilitate your experience – hypnotherapy is not about being made to do things, in fact it is the opposite, it is about empowerment. In a hypnotherapy session you are always in control and you are not made to do anything.
Sourced by Dr Hilary Jones, “Doctor, What’s the Alternative?” Hodder and Stoughton: London (1988)
14. Does hypnosis work?
Hypnosis is thought to work by altering our state of consciousness in such a way that the analytical left-hand side of the brain is turned off, while the non-analytical right-hand side is made more alert. The conscious control of the mind is inhibited, and the subconscious mind awoken. Since the subconscious mind is a deeper-seated, more instinctive force than the conscious mind, this is the part which has to change for the patient’s behaviour and physical state to alter.
For example, a patient who consciously wants to overcome their fear of spiders may try everything they consciously can to do it, but will still fail as long as their subconscious mind retains this terror and prevents the patient from succeeding. Progress can only be made by reprogramming the subconscious so that deep-seated instincts and beliefs are abolished or altered.
Sourced by Dr Hilary Jones, “Doctor, What’s the Alternative?” Hodder and Stoughton: London (1988)
15. What is hypnotherapy used for?
Hypnotherapy can be applied to many psychological, emotional and physical disorders. Including (but not limited to) the following:
- Pain;
- terminal illness;
- addictions such as smoking and alcoholism;
- eating disorders;
- anxiety and stress related problems;
- phobias;
- conditions exacerbated by tension, such as irritable bowel syndrome, psoriasis and eczema, and excessive sweating, respond well, and even tinnitus and clicky jaws (tempero-mandibular joint dysfunction)
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