frequently asked questions Psychological counselling
How many sessions can I have under Medicare’s Better Access initiative?
Medicare will rebate up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year.
After 6 sessions, you need to go back to your doctor for a review. If eligible, your General Practitioner (GP) will approve another 4 sessions through Medicare.
What do I need to claim Medicare rebates?
In order to claim Medicare rebates for your psychology sessions you will need to have a valid Medicare card.
You will need to get a referral letter or a mental health plan from your GP before you attend your session to access Medicare rebates.
# Please bring your medicare card with you to every appointment. Otherwise, you will need to pay for the session in full. You will then be emailed a receipt so that you can claim through Medicare online or in person at a Medicare office branch at another time.
Can I claim Medicare rebates and Private Insurance at the same time?
No. You can claim only for either a Medicare rebate or a private health insurance rebate at the end of your session.
However, when you have used up all of your medicare sessions, you are able to use your private insurance to cover part of the cost of your ongoing psychology sessions.
Please talk to your private health insurer to know how much they will cover per session so there are no surprises.
How long do psychology sessions go for?
You need to allow 70 - 80 minutes for your first psychology session.
Appointments are approximately 50 minutes for each session after the initial consultation.
Depending on the circumstances, the session may be shorter or longer in duration and the fees will be adjusted accordingly.
frequently asked questions Neuropsychological Assessment
What do I need to bring to the assessment?
If you wear reading glasses or have hearing aids, please bring them along to the assessment.
Please make sure you've had something to eat and drink before the assessment.
How long does an assessment take to complete?
A neuropsychological assessment takes approximately 2-3 hours with breaks provided as required. This time can vary depending on the questions the assessment needs to address and the impact of any fatigue issues.
What kind of information does a neuropsychological assessment provide?
A neuropsychological assessment can benefit yourself or your child in many ways. A neuropsychological assessment can address many questions around an individuals ability to function in every day life.
Common questions include:
- Are you able to assist in understanding why I'm/child is having difficulties in thinking, behaviour, relationships?
- What strategies can you recommend to assist at home, school and or work?
- Are you able to establish a diagnosis?
- Why does my child have difficulty learning at school?
- What are my child's cognitive strengths and difficulties, and how to do they learn best?
- The school and I are struggling to understand and manage my child's behaviours, can you help us to better support them?
- My child is struggling with VCE, can you please give them specific strategies to help with their studies and coping with the pressure of exams?
- Is my child eligible for funding support in the classroom?
- Is my child ready to start school?
- What is the impact of the neurological or medical condition, acquired brain injury or history of trauma?
- Why am i having difficulty concentrating at work?
- How can i achieve my best performance in the workplace?
- Have there been any changes in my thinking skills over time?
- How effective is treatment or rehabilitation?
What happens after the assessment is completed?
Brain Care Health offers cognitive rehabilitation, psychological counselling, and behaviour support to help you understand the changes identified in the assessment.
Sessions can support you to implement strategies in everyday living and to provide counselling to assist with your understanding and adjustment to a diagnosis or condition.
Liaison and feedback with the school, GP, paediatrician and/or other professionals involved in your care can be provided.
At times neuropsychological assessments have been conducted in a hospital or by another service provider. In this case, we will seek your permission to obtain these reports and utilise the findings to inform our treatment goals and counselling sessions. We can help you implement the recommendations and strategies into daily life.
Can I have counselling without an assessment?
Yes, psychological counselling can commence without having a neuropsychological assessment. Counselling to assist with low mood, anxiety and stress do not require a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment in order to be effectively treated.
Neuropsychological assessments are conducted if they are clinically indicated to benefit your treatment goals or are specifically requested by yourself or your GP/referrer.
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