Note: Bass Coast Psychology and Consulting is currently not taking on any VOCAT, TAC or Workcover clients. If you would like to access the medicare rebate the first step is contacting your doctor to request a referral and mental healthcare plan for a psychologist. The next step for medicare recipients and the first step for self funded clients is contacting Bass Coast Psychology and Consulting via phone (0493109106) or email (info@basscoastpsych.com.au) to arrange an initial appointment with a psychologist. Please note for the initial appointments we charge a $50 deposit which is deducted from your first appointment fees following your attendance. Once your appointment is booked an intake and consent form with the practices policies will be emailed to you for you to review and complete. This will take approximately 15 minutes. Information for how to attend your telehealth appointment will also be sent to you at this time. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Bass Coast Psychology and Consulting. You will attend your initial appointment via zoom/telephone at the agreed upon day and time.

With the rise of technology and the recent pandemic, psychology is now available to all Australians safely and securely through telehealth. This means that you can now access psychological services from the comfort of your own home or work, no matter where you are.

Telehealth sessions work exactly the same as face to face sessions - only they are online.

Prior to your appointment you will receive an email with a link and password to join the appointment.

A phone, ipad, laptop or computer with access to the internet is all that you need for telehealth appointments.

Appointments are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:30am – 2pm and Wednesdays from 10am – 5pm.

Standard psychological appointments run for 50 minutes.

You do not need a referral to make an appointment. Under the Medicare Benefits Scheme, individuals receiving psychological treatment are eligible for a rebate of $141.85 for each session with a clinical psychologist or $96.65 for each session with a general psychologist, for up to 10 individual sessions and 10 group therapy sessions in a calendar year IF they are experiencing symptoms consistent with a mental illness. If you would like to claim Medicare rebates from your initial appointment, please ensure you see your GP, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist prior to the first appointment to obtain a referral letter and Mental Health Care Plan. Medicare rebates can be claimed by the practice on the day of your session.

Psychologists are highly trained, completing atleast 5 years and up to 9 years of university education and training. They have extensive experience within the workforce and dedicate time to each client to prepare, research and plan sessions. Despite the Australian Psychological Society recommending a fee of $300 for a 50 minute session with a psychologist, Bass Coast Psychology and Consulting has made the decision to set the fees below this point, at $257.65 per 50 minute session for a Clinical Psychologist ($137.05 medicate rebate) and $213.35 per 50 minute session with a General Psychologist ($93.05 medicare rebate). The out of pocket fee for medicare clients is $120 per 50 minute session. Rebates may be available via your private health insurer if you are covered for Psychology. If self managed NDIS funding can also be utilised to fund your sessions. Parent training fees are $428.82 for a 100 minute session or between $214.41 and $257.65 for a 50 minute session. These are not rebatable services though are covered by NDIS funding or can be paid out of pocket. Supervision Consultation fees are $200 for a 50 minute session. Fees are payable on the day of the appointment via online processing unless alternative arrangements have been made. Future appointments will not commence if there are outstanding invoices.

You are liable for the full fee if your appointment is cancelled with less than 24 business hours notice, except in the event of illness or accident. The cancellation period during school holidays is less than 48 business hours notice. (Note: if you have an appointment on a Monday, this means we need to hear from you by the corresponding time on the preceding Friday e.g. a 9am Monday appointment requires cancellation by 9am the Friday before). If cancellation occurs due to illness or accident, support evidence will need to be supplied for the cancellation fee to be waived.

Dr Claire Joseph is a board approved supervisor and offers supervision sessions to provisional psychologists, general psychologists, clinical psychologists and other mental health professionals. Supervision is an important part of the practice of psychology and represents a way of ensuring continued adherence to the highest ethical and evidence based standards whilst still prioritising self-care and one’s own wellbeing. Claire takes great joy in assisting clinicians to achieve this whilst also challenging them to achieve further goals. She enjoys working collaboratively and finds it rewarding to be challenged and to challenge. Claire believes that the best type of learning occurs when one is supported whilst being challenged to extend oneself. She is open to feedback and tries to meet the supervisee where they are at. Claire seeks to provide a supportive environment that assists supervisees to be honest and open about the difficulties and challenges they may be experiencing. She has a relaxed and open approach and regularly shares her learning experiences. Seeing clinicians develop their skills and confidence so that they are capable and passionate psychologists who are eager to learn and support others is incredibly rewarding for Claire. As with clients, finding a good fit with your supervisor is important. To help determine this, Claire offers a short 15 minute initial consultation free of charge. Following that she offers 50 minute supervision sessions at a frequency determined and agreed upon within that initial consultation.

Trudie Ferriera and Dr Claire Joseph are available for consultation. Trudie Ferreira offers virtual assistance to psychologists Australia wide. Dr Claire Joseph currently offers consultation to kinders and schools. Please contact info@basscoastpsych.com.au or 0493109106 for further information on what is involved and the fees associated with this.