Question 1

How do I make an appointment?

Accepted Answer

In order to make your first appointment you can:

1. Book directly into our calendar on the 'Book an appointment'(https://www.innovapsychology.com.au/book-an-appointment) tab
2. Complete the contact form located on the 'Contact'(https://www.innovapsychology.com.au/contact) tab
3. Email us directly at info@innovapsychology.com.au (info@innovapsychology.com.au)

For all other appointments, please either email us at info@innovapsychology.com.au (info@innovapsychology.com.au) or chat with your psychologist in session.

Appointments tend to fill up quickly, so we recommend booking at least three sessions in advance to secure your preferred time slot. Scheduling ahead helps ensure there are no interruptions to your therapy.

Question 2

What should I do before my first appointment?

Accepted Answer

Prior to your first appointment, you will be emailed information about Innova Psychology, a consent form outlining important information about fees, our confidentiality and our privacy policy, and an intake form. Before attending your first appointment, we ask that you complete and send us the intake form, consent form, and a copy of your Mental Health Treatment Plan (if applicable).

You are not required to have a referral from your GP to see a psychologist. However, a Medicare rebate is available for sessions when you have obtained a referral.

Question 3

What is a Medicare Mental Health Care Plan and how do I get one?

Accepted Answer

You are not required to have a referral to see a psychologist. However, a Medicare rebate is available for individual therapy sessions when you have obtained a referral. Under a Medicare Mental Health Care Plan (https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/mental-health-care-and-medicare?context=60092 )referral from your GP, a rebate of $141.85 per session is currently available for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.

In order to get a referral, you will need to schedule an appointment with your GP to complete a Mental Health Care Plan.

When scheduling your GP appointment, we’d recommend requesting extra time or a ‘double appointment’ to ensure a thorough discussion. Please remember to send this referral and Mental Health Care Plan to Innova Psychology prior to your first appointment in order to claim the Medicare rebate.

Please note, a Medicare rebate is currently not applicable for couples counselling.

Question 4

What are your fees?

Accepted Answer

The fee for all initial and subsequent individual counselling appointments is $250 (GST currently not applicable). If you are scheduling an individual counselling session and have a Mental Health Care Plan,(https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/mental-health-care-and-medicare?context=60092 ) you will get a rebate of $141.85 ($108.15 out of pocket).

The fee for all initial couples counselling appointments is $350. The duration of all initial appointments are 80 minutes. The fee for all subsequent couples counselling appointments is $300. The duration for all subsequent couples counselling appointments is 50 minutes.

The fee will be charged to your account 1-2 days prior to your appointment. Please ensure you have  sufficient funds in your account 2 days prior to the appointment.

Question 5

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Cancelled sessions will be billed as follows:

Failure to attend with no notice: Full Fee
0–24 hours notice: Full Fee
24–48 hours notice: 50% of Fee

Medicare and WorkSafe does not cover any unattended sessions and therefore will not accept a claim for any cancellations or no-shows.

Extenuating Circumstances: In cases of emergency or illness, the clinician may waive the cancellation fee at their discretion. However, the client should notify Innova Psychology as soon as possible.

Question 6

How does Telehealth work?

Accepted Answer

The day before your appointment, you will be sent an email with a link to your online appointment. Please click on this link at least 5 minutes before your appointment. This link will direct you to a new window on a secure platform called Healthdirect. Click on the Start a Video Call button and then you will be prompted to complete the client entry fields. You will then be placed in the waitlist and your psychologist will then join you at the time of your scheduled appointment. Downloading software or creating an account is not required. For more information about using Healthdirect, please see their website linked here.(https://help.vcc.healthdirect.org.au/en_US/for-patients/attending-a-video-call-appointment)

Please know we are unable to provide services for crises or emergencies. If you need urgent help, please contact either Lifeline on 13 11 14, BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636, or Emergency Services on 000, immediately.

Please know we are unable to provide services for crises or emergencies.
If you need urgent help, please contact either Lifeline on 13 11 14, BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636, or Emergency Services on 000, immediately.