Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our psychology services.
We've answered some of our most commonly asked questions below. If you can't find the information you are after please contact us.
1. How do I know if I need to see a psychologist?
2. What should I expect when I see a psychologist?
3. How many sessions will I need?
4. How often will I need sessions?
5. How long are sessions?
6. How do I make an appointment?
7. What are your hours of operation for appointments?
8. How long will I need to wait to get an appointment?
9. Do I need a referral?
10. Are sessions confidential?
11. Can I claim sessions on Medicare?
12. Can I claim sessions on Private Health Insurance?
13. What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
14. What is the difference between a psychologist and counsellor/psychotherapist?
15. Where are you located?
1. How do I know if I need to see a psychologist?
All sorts of individuals consult with psychologists over a range of different issues. Many individuals who see a psychologist at Williamstown Psychology are generally successful people who may be troubled by feelings, behaviours, thoughts or concerns that currently prevent them from functioning to their full capacity or from feeling happy and fulfilled in their lives.
Life changes, new events or circumstances, and changes in relationships or work often trigger difficulties that can be troubling. Alternatively, some individuals have been struggling with difficult feelings or behaviours over a long period of time, and decide that it is time to get some help. Sometimes people have an inexplicable feeling of sadness or pain that they cannot get through and need help to understand the source of these feelings in order to become unstuck.
You may have a brief conversation with one of the psychologist at Williamstown Psychology over the phone or email them to find out if your particular issue is something that would respond well to psychological treatment. In an initial consultation with the psychologist, these issues will be explored more fully.
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2. What should I expect when I see a psychologist?
It is understandable to feel uncomfortable or anxious in talking to a new person about sensitive personal information. The psychologists at Williamstown Psychology take a relaxed and supportive approach to assist you to feel comfortable to share your concerns. They take an open and collaborative approach in working with you to address your difficulties.
In a first session, your psychologist will talk with you to gain a full picture of your current concerns and circumstances, and any related factors and history. The psychologist will also explain how they work and establish some guidelines for the sessions together (such as frequency of sessions, fees, confidentiality etc). There will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have for the psychologist. You could also expect to be given some feedback about how many sessions may be required and a brief outline of the approach that may be taken.
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3. How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions required will vary depending on the issue and your individual needs and circumstances. This will be discussed with you in your first session. Most clients require between 6 to 12 sessions. Many clients have issues that have existed for many years and have deeper origins, and sessions may be needed over a longer period of time.
Some clients are interested in doing deeper and longer term insight-oriented psychotherapy in order to understand themselves and their issues in more depth. These clients usually have a deep interest in their own personal development and this can lead to significant and lasting change. Depth psychotherapy generally involves therapy occurring over many months or longer.
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4. How often will I need sessions?
When you start seeing a psychologist it is most helpful to have sessions close together as you begin to address issues. For this reason we like to schedule weekly sessions while we are actively working together. These sessions may be spread out to fortnightly meetings and become less frequent as positive changes have been experienced and the need for sessions is reduced. This allows time to consolidate changes on your own while also staying connected to your psychologist to review your progress and attend to any further issues that may have arisen.
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5. How long are sessions?
Sessions for individual clients are usually 50 minutes long. The final 5-10 minutes of the hour are dedicated to arranging payment and booking the next appointment. Sessions for couples counselling run for 60-90 minutes.
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6. How do I make an appointment?
An appointment can be with one of the psychologists at Williamstown Psychology by calling our direct phone line or via email. Our phone diverts to message bank when we are on the phone, with a client, or when it is outside office hours. Please leave a detailed message with your contact numbers and some suggested times you may be available to discuss making an appointment. We aim to respond to all enquiries within 24 hours.
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7. What are your hours of operation for appointments?
Williamstown Psychology is open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 2pm Fridays.
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8. How long will I need to wait to get an appointment?
Due to increased demand for appointments, there is currently a wait of several weeks for appointments. Some appointments (such as early mornings and evenings) have higher demand than others and you may have a longer wait, while daytime appointments may be attained within a week to a couple of weeks. We take a waiting list during peak times and we aim to respond to urgent requests as soon as possible. Please contact our practice to discuss your needs so that we can respond to your request for an appointment as soon as possible.
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9. Do I need a referral?
A referral is not required for rebates from Private Health Insurance. A GP referral to the psychologist is required for rebates through Medicare, WorkSafe or TAC.
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10. Are sessions confidential?
It is natural to be concerned about your confidentiality when you are sharing intimate details about yourself with a psychologist. Information obtained from you during sessions is confidential and cannot be disclosed without your consent. There are some legal limitations to confidentiality which your psychologist will discuss with you in the first session. Your psychologist will ask you to sign a consent form if there is a need to discuss information about you with another person (such as a GP, lawyer or third party billing source). For more information please see our privacy policy.
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11. Can I claim sessions on Medicare?
Medicare offers rebates for up to 12 sessions per year for eligible clients. Medicare will refund around $76 per session, and the rebate amount is higher if you have exceeded the Medicare family safety net. You must be referred by a GP to access this Medicare rebate and have completed a "Mental Health Care Plan". You will need to book in with your GP for a "long consultation" in order to assess your eligibility for this scheme. Medicare clients pay for the whole amount of the psychology session up front and then take the receipt to Medicare for a refund of $76 per session. This means there will be a gap of $54 per session. These out-of-pocket gap expenses will count towards the Medicare Safety Net at the end of each Tax year. Once you are over the Medicare safety net for the year, you will receive an 80% rebate from Medicare on further sessions. You may also contact our practice to discuss your eligibility for the scheme.
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12. Can I claim sessions on Private Health Insurance?
Rebates are available for psychology services through Private Health Insurance funds. Please contact your Private Health Insurance fund for information about rates, as rebates vary depending on the fund and the policy you are on. Clients claiming on Private Health Insurance will pay for the session at the time of the consultation, and then take the receipt to your Private Health fund for a rebate.
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13. What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
Psychologists and psychiatrists both work in the area of mental health, and often refer to each other. There are some significant differences between the two professions with each having their own area of expertise and skills.
Psychiatrists are medically trained doctors who have gone on to specialise in the field of psychiatry. Psychiatrists are able to prescribe medications to treat mental illness (such as antidepressant medication for patients who have been diagnosed with depression).
Psychologists generally have at least six years of training in the field of psychological treatments for mental health issues. Psychologists use treatments (sometimes called "talking therapies") that are focused on improving a person’s mental health without medication. There is considerable evidence indicating that psychological treatments are effective in assisting individuals with mental health issues (such as anxiety and depression). Many people who consult psychologists indicate that they would like to try psychological approaches to address their problem before looking at taking medication. When needed, psychologists also work in collaboration with GP's or psychiatrists to provide the best possible treatment for their clients (such as when a person may need counselling as well as antidepressant medication).
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14. What is the difference between a psychologist and counsellor/psychotherapist?
Psychologists usually have a minimum of six years of university training and are required to be registered with the Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria. Psychologists practice according to a Code of Ethics outlined by the Australian Psychological Society. This Code of Ethics sets out standards of professional conduct for psychologists, to ensure that clients are receiving a high level of professional care.
In Australia, counsellors and psychotherapists are not regulated by a specific government body. This means that anyone can call themselves a counsellor or psychotherapist whether or not they have undertaken professional training in treating mental health issues. If you are planning to see a counsellor or psychotherapist, it is wise to enquire about their qualifications, the professional organisations to which they belong, and whether they practice according to a code of professional ethics.
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15. Where are you located?
We are located in Williamstown, just 15 minutes form the Melbourne CBD. Our address is:
95 Douglas Parade Williamstown 3016
Phone (03) 9397-1698
Williamstown Psychology has secure parking around the back of the building, accessible from Napier Street. Please ask for the access code when you are leaving your session in order to gain entry back into the car park.
View a location map.
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Learn more about our services, our practice or contact us to make an appointment.