Appointment Information
Clients who have a Mental Health Care Plan and are referred by a doctor are eligible to claim a Medicare rebate of up to 10 consultations a year (Jan-Dec). A review by your doctor after session 6 and 10 are essential in order to access the remaining sessions.
If you do not have a referral from your doctor, you may be eligible for a rebate through your private health cover. However, you cannot claim both Medicare and your Health Fund at the same time. Contact your fund for information on clinical psychology rebates.
Telehealth Video / Phone Call Sessions
Where too difficult or unable to come in for Face-to-Face appointments, Pauline has all the tools ready for a telehealth video session or phone call session.
Adolescent Appointment Information
In the initial appointment Pauline prefers to meet with both the adolescent and the parent(s) to gauge an understanding of what has brought them all to therapy. This initial part lasts approximately 10-15mins to allow space for both the adolescent and the parent(s) to discuss current concerns and struggles.
This gives the adolescent an opportunity to challenge or agree with the parent about the presenting problem.
The parent(s) are then encouraged to leave the therapy space and the remainder of the session is with the adolescent client.
Most of the therapeutic work is done individually with the teen, and the limits of confidentiality are made very clear to both the teen and the parent(s).
There is also capacity to work dyadically with the teen and parents, or with the parents separately in assisting the teen, however, this is at the basis that the teen is happy for this to happen.
Pauline likes to take a thorough background history of the teen, therefore, a separate parent consult is arranged earlier in the process to ascertain early information about the teen – particularly the early formative years 0-5 years of age. Having an understanding of the teens whole life stemming from conception and birth through to latency and teen years helps Pauline with understanding the whole self and not just the struggle the teen presents with.
This process is explained thoroughly to both the teen and the parent(s) in the initial session so that all have an understanding of the therapy process, confidentiality and gives the teen the opportunity to a voice and accountability in the whole process.