Appointments

General FAQs

  • The first session with a psychologist is usually considered an assessment. During this appointment, you’ll have a conversation about various topics, such as your primary concerns, how long you’ve been experiencing these challenges, and any other factors that might be contributing to the issues at hand.

    This initial meeting also serves as a chance for you to determine whether the psychologist feels like a good fit for you. Together, you’ll begin to develop a treatment plan, which may include recommendations for specific therapeutic approaches and how often you should meet for sessions.

    • Referral letter from your General Practitioner or specialist

    • Private Health Fund details

    • Fill in online consent and intake forms

  • Contacting Psychology Cottage: You can reach out to the clinic by phone or email to schedule an appointment or discuss available treatment options.

    Email Confirmation: Once your appointment is confirmed, you’ll receive an email with details about the clinic’s location, fees, and any consent forms you’ll need to complete.

    Referral Requirements: While a referral is not necessary to start psychological treatment at Buderim Cottage Psychology, a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP is required to access Medicare rebates. If you have private health insurance, you may be eligible for a rebate from your insurer, even if you’re not using a Mental Health Care Plan.

  • Due to the operational costs of running a private psychology practice, we are unable to offer bulk billing. For a full breakdown of our fees, please refer to our fees page.

    If you have a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) and a valid referral from your GP, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate for up to 10 individual therapy sessions per calendar year (January to December).

    If you have Private Health Insurance, you might also qualify for a rebate, even if you’re not using an MHCP. We recommend contacting your provider directly to inquire about the specific rebate amount available to you.

  • Building a strong connection with your psychologist is essential, and research supports the importance of this. Finding the right "fit" can sometimes be challenging, as it depends not only on the psychologist’s expertise and treatment approach, but also on the compatibility between personalities. It's crucial to feel comfortable with your psychologist, and we strive to match clients with the most suitable professional based on these factors, along with other important considerations.

    If you feel the fit isn't right, we encourage you to have an open conversation with your psychologist to explore other options. We welcome these discussions, as our primary goal is to ensure the best possible experience for you.

  • The number of sessions needed can vary significantly based on factors such as prior treatment, the nature and severity of the challenges, and previous responses to therapy. Our psychologists collaborate with each client to create a treatment plan that aligns with their individual needs, preferences, and schedules.

    On average, clients attend between 3 to 16 sessions, typically beginning with weekly appointments and gradually spacing them out as progress is made. After the initial phase of active treatment, we often schedule follow-up sessions to support continued well-being.

  • The information shared during your assessment and therapy sessions is confidential. However, there are two exceptions to this confidentiality. First, psychologists are legally and ethically obligated to prioritize the safety of individuals, so if there is a risk of harm to yourself or others, confidentiality may be broken. Second, confidentiality may also be overridden in the case of a court subpoena.

  • 50 Minutes unless otherwise agreed upon.

Fee Policy

At Psychology Cottage, we value transparency regarding our fees and session fee policies.

Our goal is to ensure that all clients fully understand how our payment process operates. Below, you will find detailed information about our standard fees, insurance options, rebates, and our session fee policy.

  • If you are referred through Medicare's Mental Health Care Plan, Eating Disorder Treatment Plan, or Chronic Disease Management Plan, you may qualify for rebates. Please contact our administration team for more information on rebate eligibility.

  • Fees are payable via EFTPOS on the day of your appointment. Please note, we do not accept Amex. For telehealth appointments, payments are processed on the morning of your appointment, and any Medicare rebates are processed afterward, in line with Medicare Guidelines.

    We require all clients to provide credit or debit card details, which are securely stored in our practice management system. The card will only be charged on the day of your appointment, and only if you choose to use it for payment. Please be aware that missed appointments, cancellations, or reschedules within 2 business days will result in a charge to your credit or debit card, as outlined in our Session Fee Policy.

  • Our Session Fee Policy aims to ensure consistency in treatment and promote successful outcomes. Here’s an overview:

    - If you cancel or reschedule at least 2 business days (48 business hours) before your appointment, your session fee will either be fully refunded or applied to your rescheduled appointment.

    - If you cancel or reschedule within 1 business days (24 business hours) of your appointment, the session fee is non-refundable.

  • We accept private health insurance for all services. It’s advisable to check with your individual insurance provider to determine the level of cover you will receive

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

— C.S. Lewis

How can we help?

Contact our friendly admin team below.

CONTACT US