Melbourne Clinical Psychologist in Carlton

Frequently Asked Questions

  • As individuals, we experience and respond to what life throws at us in our own unique ways. Sometimes, we may find that we are no longer function in a way that is healthy and helpful.

    • Feeling overwhelmed and finding difficulties coping

    • Feeling low in mood

    • Finding difficulties controlling your mood

    • Feeling irritable or angry all the time

    • Having difficulty sleeping 

    • Feeling isolated and avoiding social activities

    • Worrying excessively and unable to control worrying thoughts

    • Experiencing panic attacks

    • Troubled by memories of traumatic experience(s)

    • Frequently irritable or angry

    • Struggling with maintaining relationships with others

    You don’t need to wait until things feel unbearable. Therapy can provide a safe and non-judgmental space to explore your feelings and develop coping strategies. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, experiencing trauma, or simply want to understand yourself better, reaching out to a clinical psychologist can be a positive step toward improving your well-being.

  • In your first session, your psychologist will focus on understanding your challenges and identifying the most effective way to support you. This initial meeting will include an assessment process where you’ll have the chance to share your experiences and reflect on what brought you to therapy. The psychologist may also ask you a series of questions and, in some cases, request that you complete questionnaires to gain a clearer picture of your current situation.

    The goal of this session is to determine the nature of your difficulties and to identify the therapeutic approaches that are most likely to be helpful for you. Your psychologist will explain which evidence-based therapies have been shown to be effective for the concerns you’ve described. At times, this process might take the initial 2-3 sessions, depending on your circumstances.

    Following the initial session, therapy typically continues on a regular basis and may gradually become less frequent as you make progress and feel that difficulties are resolving.

  • You have complete flexibility in deciding how many sessions you’d like to attend, and there is no obligation to commit to a minimum number. You also have the freedom to choose how often your sessions take place. However, providing you the highest quality of care is our priority. Your clinical psychologist can offer guidance and recommendations based on their expertise and the latest evidence. It is advisable to make these decisions in collaboration with your clinical psychologist.

    If you have a Medicare card and a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions in a calendar year. After using these 10 sessions, you are welcome to continue seeing your psychologist at the standard private fee rates.

  • The frequency of sessions with a psychologist varies from person to person and may change over the course of treatment. Some people may attend twice a week, while others might prefer weekly, fortnightly, or even monthly appointments. The best schedule depends on your unique needs and circumstances. It's also important to consider what research suggests is most effective for achieving positive outcomes.

    The research evidence shows that more frequent sessions, especially at the beginning of treatment, will likely achieve faster and more significant treatment gains.

  • Yes, we do have sessions outside of business hours. Please talk to us to arrange for what is suitable for you.