Question 1

Our Clients

Accepted Answer

We accept referrals for clients with a range of conditions that significantly impact quality of life, psychological wellbeing or cognitive functioning.

Our clients are most commonly referred by their GP, psychiatrist or neurologist.  Referrals from other health professionals and self-referrals are welcome.

We accept referrals for clients aged 16 and above.

Question 2

Our Psychologists

Accepted Answer

Refer to our Team (javascript:void(0))page to view profiles of our psychologists.

Our team consists of highly-qualified, professional psychologists with the following areas of practice:

• Clinical Neuropsychologist
 • Clinical Psychologist
 • Psychologist (Clinical Neuropsychology Registrar)
 • Psychologist (Clinical Psychology Registrar)

Please see below for more information about the difference between these areas of practice.

Question 3

Clinical Neuropsychologists and Clinical Psychologists

Accepted Answer

What is the difference between a Clinical Neuropsychologist and a Clinical Psychologist?

Clinical Neuropsychology and Clinical Psychology are recognised as distinct areas of practice endorsement by the Psychology Board of Australia, although there is much overlap between the roles and training of both types of psychologist.

A Clinical Neuropsychologist focuses on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the brain that impact the client's cognitive abilities (e.g., thinking skills) and psychological functioning.  Examples of common neurological conditions assessed and managed by Clinical Neuropsychologists include epilepsy, traumatic brain injury and dementia.

A Clinical Psychologist focuses on the assessment and treatment of mental health conditions, including those that are not directly linked to a brain disorder.  Common conditions treated by Clinical Psychologists include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and personality disorders.

What services do they provide?

At our clinic, Clinical Neuropsychologists and Clinical Psychologists are both eligible to provide psychological therapy to patients with a range of complex needs.  Our clinicians have been selected as they have a strong understanding of both the neurological and psychological mechanisms underlying the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural difficulties faced by our clients.

Please note that only Clinical Neuropsychologists and Clinical Neuropsychology Registrars are available to provide services for neuropsychological assessment at our clinic.

Question 4

Registrars (Early Career Clinicians)

Accepted Answer

Clinical Neuropsychology and Clinical Psychology Registrars are early career clinicians who are working towards endorsement to become a Clinical Neuropsychologist or Clinical Psychologist (senior clinicians).

They are psychologists who hold General Registration with the Psychology Board of Australia, and who practice the profession under a rigorous training program supervised by a senior clinician who is a Board Approved Supervisor.

Like our senior clinicians, our registrars are eligible to provide psychological treatment to patients.  Please note that only Clinical Neuropsychology Registrars are available to provide services for neuropsychological assessment.

*Rates are lower for services provided by registrars compared to senior clinicians.  Refer to our Rates (javascript:void(0))page for more information.

Question 5

Rates and Medicare Rebates

Accepted Answer

Please refer to our Rates (javascript:void(0))page for our schedule of fees.

Psychological therapy is subsidised by Medicare for clients with either one of the following:

• A referral and current Mental Health Treatment Plan from a GP
 • A referral from a psychiatrist
 • A referral from a paediatrician

Please see below for more information about the Mental Health Treatment Plan, including how many Medicare Rebated sessions are available under this plan.

*Please note that Medicare Rebates are not available for neuropsychological assessments.

Question 6

Mental Health Treatment Plan

Accepted Answer

What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan?

You will need a current Mental Health Treatment Plan (also known as a Mental Health Care Plan) with a referral from your GP to access Medicare Rebates for psychological therapy.

A Mental Health Treatment Plan briefly outlines your current mental health issues and a plan for treatment.  It also includes goals that you would like to achieve with treatment.

How do I get a Mental Health Treatment Plan?

Please consult your GP to discuss whether a Mental Health Treatment Plan is appropriate for you.  We recommend that you request a long consultation with your GP to allow enough time to discuss and complete this document.

How many Medicare Rebated sessions am I entitled to?

A Mental Health Treatment Plan entitles you up to 10 individual and/or 10 group Medicare Rebated sessions per calendar year (1 January to 31 December).  However, you will need to seek a review and new referral from your GP after Session 6 in order to continue accessing Medicare Rebates for Sessions 7-10 of individual therapy.

Further information

Please visit the Australian Psychological Society (APS) website (https://psychology.org.au/psychology/medicare-rebates-psychological-services)for more information about accessing Medicare Rebates.

Question 7

Documents Required

Accepted Answer

Before your first appointment, we ask that you please complete and return the following documents via email (preferred), post or in person.  You can download these from the Forms page (click here):(javascript:void(0))

• New Patient Questionnaire
 • Privacy Statement and Consent Form 
 • Telehealth Consent Form (if applicable)

Please note that these forms are required for all services offered at our clinic (psychological treatment and neuropsychological assessment).

To access Medicare Rebates for psychological treatment, please also submit your Mental Health Treatment Plan (with GP referral), or arrange with your GP to send it to us directly.

*Electronic signature is accepted for all forms.

Question 8

Booking Your First Appointment

Accepted Answer

Once we have received your referral, we will assess whether our services are suitable for your needs.

We will then contact you to organise a time for your first appointment.  You will be allocated to a psychologist on our team through a triage process.

You are also welcome to contact us directly to arrange an appointment and to select a psychologist of your choice.  Please note, however, that wait times may vary depending on the psychologist.

If you wish to get in touch with us directly, please email us at:
neuropsychology-eastmelbourne@unimelb.edu.au (mailto:neuropsychology-eastmelbourne@unimelb.edu.au)

Alternatively, you may call us or leave a voicemail message:  
(03) 83440298(tel:+61383440298)

*Please note that our email is only attended to on Wednesdays and Friday mornings, while our phone is only attended to on Wednesdays (8:30 am - 6:00 pm).

Question 9

Wait Time for Intake

Accepted Answer

We have received high volumes of referrals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to this increased demand, our psychologists may not be immediately available to take on new clients, and you may be placed on a waitlist.

We will inform you about the estimated wait time when we contact you to book your first appointment with the next available psychologist.

Question 10

Telehealth Services

Accepted Answer

We offer telehealth appointments for psychological therapy to all clients upon request.  
 
Telehealth requests for clinical neuropsychological assessments will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
 
Please refer to our Telehealth (javascript:void(0))page for further information.

For New Clients