Counselling & Psychotherapy
Medicare rebated mental-health counselling
or private counselling and psychotherapy
Counselling with a Mental Health Plan
Medicare provides a rebate for certain evidence-based approaches for 6-10 sessions per calendar year (determined by your referring doctor). I set aside a small number of sessions per week for those with a GP or Psychiatrist referral who would like to claim a Medicare rebate.
These approaches mainly focus on short-term symptom management. Often, they include strategies that are intended to manage or control certain patient experiences. I don't approach those I work with from the perspective of management or control. In my experience there can be some relief to be had by drawing upon approaches from relationship-based or trauma-informed CBT or Interpersonal therapy. Nonetheless, I begin this work from the perspective of the patient rather than the symptom or therapeutic approach. You always come first.
Please note, I am required to provide written reports to your referring doctor regarding your work with me under a mental health plan. This differs from the privacy and confidentiality of the private counselling and psychotherapy service and from the privacy assured with psychoanalysis. Feel free to discuss this with me if you have any requirements or concerns.
Psychoanalysis is not covered by a Mental Health Plan. However, if someone is considering longer-term therapy or psychoanalysis it can be helpful to have ways of approaching the anxiety (for example) that can arise during the times between sessions. These can be developed over the short course of counselling provided on a mental health plan. People also find that other practices can help, including writing, reading, another art practice, swimming, meditation, yoga or swimming.
The set fee includes time for me to write reports to your referring doctor and other administration required. Please discuss this fee with me if it is an obstacle to you seeing me.
Please be in touch if you'd like to discuss Medicare rebated counselling and psychotherapy in North Fitzroy, Parkville or Melbourne.
Fees: $180 per session, rebate $82.30, out of pocket $97.70
Private Counselling and Psychotherapy
I offer Counselling and Psychotherapy in Parkville and North Fitzroy and by telehealth
I draw on a range of theory, training and experience in my Counselling and Psychotherapy. The difference between Medicare rebated and private Counselling and Psychotherapy is first and most significantly your privacy.
I do not provide any information about you to your doctor, insurance providers or anyone else. I understand how essential privacy may be for you. The only person with whom I may speak with about our work is my own clinical supervisor, who is similarly bound by a promise of privacy.
The next important difference is that I am free to draw upon the depth and breadth of my theoretical and clinical training in my work with you, rather than being limited to approaches approved by the Department of Health. Some of my significant influences include Donald Winnicott, Julia Kristeva, Jacques Lacan, Sigmund Freud, Deleuze and Guattari, Jacques Ranciere, The International Society for Social and Psychological Approaches to Psychosis, and the fields of Art and Literature.
While it might seem that I am answering the question of how I work, I really can't tell you. That's because every piece of work is different. That's one of the reasons I say that my work is part of my art practice, because something new arises from each piece of work.
Please be in touch if you'd like to discuss Private counselling and psychotherapy in North Fitzroy, Parkville or Melbourne
Fees: $140
