CLIENT INFORMATION

Psychological Counselling at Mind Body Well

YOU WILL BE ASKED TO SIGN to indicate that you have read, understood, and consent to the details below prior to YOUR INITIAL SESSION AT MIND BODY WELL.

PLEASE FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH THEse TERMS, and contact us if you require any further information.

Psychological counselling is a targeted intervention aimed at reducing emotional distress and enhancing psychological coping strategies. Your Psychologist will spend time in your initial session to assessing your concerns, discussing your therapeutic goals, and recommending treatment approaches.

Psychological counselling can take different forms depending on the needs and preferences of the clients and also the approach and skills of the therapist. Psychologists at Mind Body Well approach counselling in a manner which is client-centered, creating a unique therapeutic relationship in collaboration with each client.

Therapy Structure

Assessment Phase

All therapy at Mind Body Well begins with an initial Assessment Phase, which may take between 1-3 sessions, depending on the complexity of the issues to be addressed in therapy. At the end of this Assessment Phase, your Therapist will negotiate with you a Treatment Plan, which will outline:

  • the focus and goals of your therapy

  • the treatment approaches to be used

  • your treatment team - which may also include one of the Dietitian's at Mind Body Well

Treatment Phase

Each 'Phase' of therapy will have clear treatment goals, and a timeframe after which the effectiveness of therapy will be measured by you and your therapist. Some clients will have multiple 'phases' of treatment, whereas others may have more short term treatment.

Your Personal Information

In order to provide quality assessment and therapeutic services, Therapists at Mind Body Well will collect and record personal information relevant to your situation. ‘Therapists’ referred to in this document include Psychologists and Dietitians providing professional services at Mind Body Well. Some of your information may also be accessed by our administrative staff, for administrative purposes only.

Purpose of collecting and holding information

Any personal information gathered as part of your assessment and treatment process will be kept securely and, in the interests of your privacy, used only by your Consultant and the authorised personnel of the practice (as necessary). Your personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions, assisting your Therapist to provide a relevant and informed service to you.

Access to client information

You are entitled to access your personal information kept on file, unless relevant legislation states otherwise. If you require access to your information please discuss this with your Psychologist.

Confidentiality

Personal information provided by you to your Psychologist during the provision of services is considered confidential and will not be disclosed to a third party except when:

  • your prior consent has been obtained to:

a)    provide a letter or report to another professional or agency. eg. your Doctor or a Lawyer; or

b)    discuss your care with another person, eg. a Parent, Employer or Health Care Provider; or

  • it is subpoenaed by a court; or

  • failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of your Therapist place you or another person at serious risk of harm; or

  • disclosure is otherwise required by law.

Consent to liaise with other professionals

Your Psychologist will seek your consent to communicate with other Health Professionals involved in your care, which may include your Doctor, Psychiatrist, Dietitian, and / or other practitioners where appropriate. If you have any concerns about this please discuss them with your Psychologist.

Service limitations

Psychologists at our practice agree to provide the best therapy they are able to offer you. If your Psychologist believes they are unable to provide optimal care they will advise you of your options and, where appropriate, facilitate referral to another Health Professional.

Fees and Rebates

Fees for Psychological Counselling are to be paid in full on the day of service by cash, credit card, or EFTPOS.  Sessions generally run for 50 minutes, or as discussed with your Psychologist.

You may be able to claim rebates for Psychological Counselling if you have:

  • A referral and Mental Health Care Plan prepared by your Doctor or

  • Private Health Insurance which includes Psychological Counselling as part of your extras cover.

Please ensure you provide us with a referral and/or plan from your Doctor if you are able to claim rebates, and we will ensure you receive the appropriate receipt to enable your claim.

If you are eligible for our concession rate, please provide us a copy of your Health Care Card or Pension Concession Card prior to your sessions commencing (concession rates cannot be applied retrospectively).

Further details about our Fees and the rates available can be found at THIS LINK.

Cancellation policy

Appointments are scheduled ahead of time, and as such 48 hours notice is required to cancel or reschedule an appointment without incurring a fee. Cancellations received with less than 48 hours notice, and appointments not attended at the scheduled time will incur a fee of 50% of the cost of the consultation.

You will receive a reminder of your appointment by SMS the day before your scheduled time. It is important that you arrive in readiness to start your appointment on time. Late arrival will most often necessitate a shorter session.

Clients who cancel or do not attend for 3 scheduled appointments may have their treatment terminated, at the discretion of the Therapist and/or Practice Director.

Contact outside session times

Therapists at Mind Body Well are unable to provide emergency or after hours support. Contact with your Psychologist outside your session times will be limited, but if you need to contact your Psychologist please do so via our office by telephone (03) 9820 1848, or email office@mindbodywell.com.au  

Where necessary, your Psychologist will assist you to establish out-of-hours and emergency contacts. In a Psychological emergency you are recommended to contact the Crisis Assessment Team (1300 721 927) or Emergency Services (000).