Frequently Asked Questions

Existing clients can use our Client Portal to book and manage appointments.

If you are a new client, please complete the form on our Booking Inquiries page and our team will be in contact.

If you need any further assistance, please contact our Administrative Team on (02) 6255 3008.

A GP referral is only necessary when you wish to claim a Medicare rebate for therapy.

Individuals are eligible for Better Access to Mental Health Medicare rebates if you meet the criteria stipulated by Medicare and your GP completes a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), or you are referred for sessions by a psychiatrist or paediatrician.

If you do not have a GP MHTP and wish to receive one, you will need to contact your GP practice and inquire if you need to book in with the GP or practice nurse to get a MHTP. Typically, writing a MHTP will require a double length appointment so it is important to discuss this with practice's administrative team.

You can register your banking details with Medicare Easy claim through Northside Psychology. Then, once we have received your payment, we can submit your claim to Medicare who can process the rebate into your bank account.

Your insurer may give you a rebate on mental health services, but this is dependent on your health fund and level of cover. We recommend speaking directly with your insurance provider to understand the cover your policy provides.

This is dependent on your needs and goals. Once you have completed your initial session, your clinician can provide an estimate of the sessions required. Creating lasting change depends on many factors, including the purpose of your visit and the goals you set. Often, the more successful you are at applying strategies between sessions, the less sessions you need.

Our therapy sessions are typically 50 minutes long.

Sessions are available Monday to Friday, and some Saturdays. We offer some early morning and late evening appointments throughout the week.

Our clinicians utilise a broad range of therapeutic strategies. Our frameworks include, but are not limited to, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Therapy, Mindfulness, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Please note, therapeutic frameworks and areas of interest differ in each clinician. We can also assist you to find a clinician suited to you and your goals. You can find out more about about each clinicians interests and strategies on our Team page.

The cost to see a Psychologist is shown in our Fees Structure table, this rate is reviewed every financial year.

Our fees vary depending on length of session, and the experience and qualifications of your Clinician. Please note, you are required to pay on the day of consultation.

If you have Private Health Insurance

You will need to contact your insurer to check your eligibility for rebates. If you would like to claim on your private health insurance please advise our Administrative Team. After your session, we will take payment for our services, and provide you with a tax invoice to claim with your insurer. Please note, you cannot claim a rebate on both a Mental Health Treatment Plan and through private insurance.

If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)

Your MHTP entitles you to rebates on sessions. The rebate amount varies depending on what type of Psychologist you see (registered or clinical). As long as we have a valid referral on file and you have provided your bank details to Medicare, our Administrative Team can process the rebate for you straight after your session.

If you are attending through Workers’ Compensation, NDIS or other third party insurance

When you are completing a booking inquiry, inform our Administrative Team about the intention for your third party insurer to pay for your services. We can then discuss the best way to get approval from the insurer, to simplify this process and work together to arrange a third party to pay for your services.

We offer comprehensive neuropsychological, educational and cognitive assessments for individuals from 4 years of age, depending on assessment type. Please see our Assessments page for more information on seeking an assessment at Northside Psychology.