FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
about the services offered by the Gold Coast Psychologists of Psychology Central
Your Gold Coast Psychologists have changed their fees as of January 2014. Please phone Brittney on 55 78 98 68 to discuss the details and how these changes apply to you.
Please be mindful of our Reschedule/ Cancellation policy. Ask Brittney or your Psychology Central Gold Coast Psychologist for details
Why Consult a Psychologist?
Psychologists are experts in human behaviour, having studied the brain, memory, learning, human development and the processes determining how people think, feel, behave and react. Psychologists apply their expertise using reliable and scientifically supported methods. Psychological therapies are widely used to treat individuals and families and can also be applied to groups and organisations (as per Australian Psychological Society website information)
How are Psycholgists different to Psychiatrists?
Psychologists and psychiatrists both work in the area of mental health, and often work together. However, there are some significant differences between the two professions in the following areas. Psychologists study human behaviour in their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees before undertaking supervised experience and gaining registration. They do not have a medical degree; however, many have postgraduate qualifications to specialise in various aspects of psychology, including mental illness. Psychiatrists have a medical degree, which involves six years of studying general medicine, followed by further study to specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and emotional problems (as per Australian Psychological Society website information)
What do Gold Coast Psychologists at Psychology Central (PC) do?
Gold Coast Psychologists at PC assist people with everyday problems such as stress and relationship difficulties, and some specialise in treating people with a mental illness. They help people to develop the skills needed to function better and to prevent ongoing problems.
How many sessions will I need?
Number of your sessions will depend on complexity of your problems. For instance, someone suffering from panic attacks may need up to 6 sessions of treatment whereas a person who is at high risk of suicide or self harm, or has a history of abuse or trauma, is likely to need more time to work through their concerns.
Medicare may cover 6-10 sessions per calendar year. This depends on your GPs discretion re: how much time you need in therapy and can be done in consultation with your treating psychologist.
Please note that the allowed number of Medicare sessions is not always indicative of how many sessions you personally may need. We suggest that you prioritise your health and book sessions according your need as opposed to how many sessions of Medicare you have left under a referral plan. In other words, you fo not need to us
How long do the sessions go for?
Sessions are 50 -60 minutes in duration.
For what sorts of problems can I see a Gold Coast Psychologist of Psychology Central?
Will my information be kept private?
Absolutely. Our Gold Coast Psychologists are bound by strict Confidentiality and can only disclose your information with your permission (ie unless information is Court-ordered or there is a risk to yourself and/or others).
Will I be covered by Medicare?
You will need to speak with your GP about this. Based on the information you provide, your GP will decide whether you are eligible for a Medicare referral. Subsequently, you will be given a referral to bring in with you.
Medicare can cover 6 + 4 sessions per calendar year. You need to have your referral at initial session and a re-referral (a review with a GP is needed before you are given one of these) after the 6th session for your rebates to be processed.
How much will I need to pay?
Sessions cost between $145 - $200 per hour. With a referral, Medicare cover a significant portion of your cost (per session). We normally complete your rebates on-the-spot right after your session.
We are NOT a bulk-billing practice so if this is what you are after, we will happily refer you to one close-by.
What if I miss/ forget/ cannot attend an appoitment?
We understand that "life happens" to everyone and this can result in you missing an appointment. We have, however set an hour of our time to support you. The hour missed means that someone else missed out on the help they needed. As such, we charge a ‘late reschedule’ fee in ALL circumstances. Our Reschedule Fee is half the fee you would pay for your full session. By not charging you a FULL fee for the hour you have missed, we re demonstrating COMPASSION for your circumstances. We are asking that you meet us half way.
If you do not attend your scheduled appointment after confirming it with us, a FULL FEE for the appointment hour is charged.
How are payments made?
Payments are made at the end of the session. You can pay via cash, Eftpos or Credit Card.
Psychologists are experts in human behaviour, having studied the brain, memory, learning, human development and the processes determining how people think, feel, behave and react. Psychologists apply their expertise using reliable and scientifically supported methods. Psychological therapies are widely used to treat individuals and families and can also be applied to groups and organisations (as per Australian Psychological Society website information)
How are Psycholgists different to Psychiatrists?
Psychologists and psychiatrists both work in the area of mental health, and often work together. However, there are some significant differences between the two professions in the following areas. Psychologists study human behaviour in their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees before undertaking supervised experience and gaining registration. They do not have a medical degree; however, many have postgraduate qualifications to specialise in various aspects of psychology, including mental illness. Psychiatrists have a medical degree, which involves six years of studying general medicine, followed by further study to specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and emotional problems (as per Australian Psychological Society website information)
What do Gold Coast Psychologists at Psychology Central (PC) do?
Gold Coast Psychologists at PC assist people with everyday problems such as stress and relationship difficulties, and some specialise in treating people with a mental illness. They help people to develop the skills needed to function better and to prevent ongoing problems.
How many sessions will I need?
Number of your sessions will depend on complexity of your problems. For instance, someone suffering from panic attacks may need up to 6 sessions of treatment whereas a person who is at high risk of suicide or self harm, or has a history of abuse or trauma, is likely to need more time to work through their concerns.
Medicare may cover 6-10 sessions per calendar year. This depends on your GPs discretion re: how much time you need in therapy and can be done in consultation with your treating psychologist.
Please note that the allowed number of Medicare sessions is not always indicative of how many sessions you personally may need. We suggest that you prioritise your health and book sessions according your need as opposed to how many sessions of Medicare you have left under a referral plan. In other words, you fo not need to us
How long do the sessions go for?
Sessions are 50 -60 minutes in duration.
For what sorts of problems can I see a Gold Coast Psychologist of Psychology Central?
- Marital, family and relationship problems
- Stress or pain
- Fears, phobias, anxiety and panic attacks
- Depression
- Loss and grief
- Sexual difficulties
- Sleeping difficulties
- Eating and weight control problems
- Children's learning, behaviour and management problems
- Addictions
- Making good relationships better
- Becoming better parents and teachers
- Personal growth
- Career planning
- Improving workplaces
- Enhancing sports performance
- Training and developing staff
- Employment selection
- Reviewing organisational structure and practices
- Industrial relations and occupational health and safety
- Studying consumer needs
Will my information be kept private?
Absolutely. Our Gold Coast Psychologists are bound by strict Confidentiality and can only disclose your information with your permission (ie unless information is Court-ordered or there is a risk to yourself and/or others).
Will I be covered by Medicare?
You will need to speak with your GP about this. Based on the information you provide, your GP will decide whether you are eligible for a Medicare referral. Subsequently, you will be given a referral to bring in with you.
Medicare can cover 6 + 4 sessions per calendar year. You need to have your referral at initial session and a re-referral (a review with a GP is needed before you are given one of these) after the 6th session for your rebates to be processed.
How much will I need to pay?
Sessions cost between $145 - $200 per hour. With a referral, Medicare cover a significant portion of your cost (per session). We normally complete your rebates on-the-spot right after your session.
We are NOT a bulk-billing practice so if this is what you are after, we will happily refer you to one close-by.
What if I miss/ forget/ cannot attend an appoitment?
We understand that "life happens" to everyone and this can result in you missing an appointment. We have, however set an hour of our time to support you. The hour missed means that someone else missed out on the help they needed. As such, we charge a ‘late reschedule’ fee in ALL circumstances. Our Reschedule Fee is half the fee you would pay for your full session. By not charging you a FULL fee for the hour you have missed, we re demonstrating COMPASSION for your circumstances. We are asking that you meet us half way.
If you do not attend your scheduled appointment after confirming it with us, a FULL FEE for the appointment hour is charged.
How are payments made?
Payments are made at the end of the session. You can pay via cash, Eftpos or Credit Card.