Frequently Asked Questions
Our services fall into two main categories: Individual Therapy Sessions (including the first appointment) and Specialised Comprehensive Assessments.
1. Fees for Individual Therapy
– Initial ConsultationThe first appointment for individual therapy, which includes an in-depth intake and assessment to create your treatment plan (60 – 70 minutes): $315.00
– Subsequent Session
All standard follow-up appointments for ongoing therapy (50-60 minutes): $250.00
2. Fees for Specialised and Comprehensive Assessments
These fees cover a comprehensive process that is charged separately from the session fees listed above. They do not begin with the $315 Initial Consultation fee.
Specialised assessments are quoted as a single, all-inclusive price which covers all components of the assessment, including:
– Initial parent/client intake interviews
– Psychometric testing (in-session time)
– Scoring and in-depth analysis of results
– The feedback session
– The written comprehensive report
– For more information on Specialised and Comprehensive Assessment fees please click here
Medicare rebates for psychological therapy and focused strategies are determined by the psychologist’s registration classification with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA). We offer two Medicare rebate levels (updated as of July 2025):
Generally Registered Psychologist: $98.95 per session.
Clinical Psychologist: $145.25 per session
Important Notes:
Mental Health Care Plan: To be eligible for these rebates, you must have a valid Mental Health Care Plan from your GP.
Session Limits: Medicare provides rebates for up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year. These are usually allocated in blocks of 6 and 4 (an initial 6, then a review with the GP for the remaining 4).
Session Length: The rebates apply to sessions that are approximately 50 minutes long.
MJ Basilio, our Principal Psychologist, holds General Registration with AHPRA. Therefore, sessions with MJ are eligible for the Registered Psychologist Medicare rebate of $98.95 per session. David Hawkins, is our Clinical Psychologist and sessions with David are eligible for the Clinical Psychologist rebate.
Higher Rebates: If you reach the Medicare Safety Net threshold, they may be eligible for higher rebates.
For more information check out the Services Australia website on Medicare
The difference in Medicare rebates are because of an old government rule that favoured one type of psychology degree (Clinical Psychology). This created a “two-tier” system for mental health services, even though other qualified specialists have similar training and skills.
Clinical Psychologists get a higher rebate, supposedly because they specialise in clinical mental illness (called Psychological Therapy services). But there’s no clear evidence that Clinical Psychologists are more effective than other psychologists, and that it reflects a psychologist’s actual experience.
For example, a new Clinical Psychologist who just finished their training might only have 2-3 years of experience from their schooling and training program. A Registered Psychologist who has been working for 10 years and has a PhD will have a higher level of qualification as well as more experience and skills, but will get a lower Medicare rebate than a new Clinical Psychologist.
It’s true that for a standard 50-minute session, a Clinical Psychologist like David Hawkins get a bigger rebate ($145.25) than other psychologists ($98.95) like MJ Basilio. However, the research tells us that Clinical and Registered Psychologists are just as good as each other. A study commissioned by the Australian Government conducted by Jane Pirkis in 2011 found that there’s no proof that Clinical Psychologists get better results for clients compared to Registered Psychologists, and both types of psychologists achieve similar positive outcomes.
According to decades of research, effectiveness is driven by factors common to all successful therapy, regardless of the technique or title. These include therapist characteristics, the trust you build with your therapist and their specialised competence.
A common misconception is that Clinical Psychologists have more training and experience than other Psychologists. However, many other Psychologists invest heavily in highly specialised, post-Registration training that is excellent for niche or complex problems. For example, Consultant Psychologist MJ Basilio is not a Clinical Psychologist, but she has specialised her practice by completing a Master of Science in Medicine (Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy). She has also completed training in other areas like EMDR, Neurofeedback, Safe and Sound Protocol and Autism Assessments which makes her highly skilled for specific issues like complex trauma and neurodiversity. While she has these expert knowledge and skills, Medicare doesn’t give her a higher rebate for that specialist degree because it’s not within the field of Clinical Psychology.
It’s important to note that not all psychologists want to be Clinical Psychologists. Many choose to focus on other areas like helping in workplaces, offering counseling, or supporting education. After 6 years of study and training, many psychologists prefer gaining real-world experiences rather than completing more traditional university learning. They find other advanced and effective therapies like EMDR or Neurofeedback more beneficial for their clients.
The Bottom Line – Medicare rebates help cover some of the cost, but they don’t tell you how good a psychologist is or how much experience they have. So, pick a psychologist based on their experience and whether you will be able to trust them to help you with your specific problem such as trauma, ADHD, or anxiety. The right fit matters much more than the title.
We understand that the cost of a comprehensive assessment is a significant investment, and it is a common question we receive.
The fees are higher than a standard session because they cover a large amount of highly specialised work that takes place outside of the room, far beyond the 50-60 minutes the client spends with the psychologist. These factors include:
– Specialist Time & Expertise: Assessments are conducted by highly trained psychologists who have extensive qualifications and experience specifically in complex diagnostic testing and interpretation.
– Face-to-Face Testing: A longer sessions is required to administer, score, and interpret various gold-standard, copyrighted tests (e.g., ADHD, Autism, cognitive, academic, and diagnostic scales).
– Approx. 4-8 hoursIn-Depth Analysis & Report Writing: The psychologist spends many hours analysing all data, clinical history, and test results to create a robust, detailed diagnostic report with clear recommendations – Approx. 8-15 hours
– Cost of Tools & Overheads: Fees contribute to the significant cost of purchasing and licensing proprietary testing kits (e.g., Conners-3, WISC-V, WIAT III, ADOS-2, Vineland, ADI-R) and administrative support.
Yes, we offer telehealth appointments for your convenience. This allows you to access our services from the comfort of your own home, regardless of your location
Your first session is an opportunity for you and your therapist to get to know each other and explore your reasons for seeking therapy. Your therapist will discuss your history, current challenges, goals, and expectations for therapy. They will also explain their approach and answer any questions you may have. It’s important to remember that the first session is primarily about understanding your problems, building rapport and establishing a comfortable therapeutic space.
A psychologist can do an assessment, provide counselling or psychotherapy which can provide a safe and supportive space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It can help you develop coping strategies, improve relationships, and increase self-awareness. A psychologist can also help you address specific mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and borderline personality disorder. Ultimately, therapy can empower you to create positive change and live a more fulfilling life.
Confidentiality is a very important part of a therapeutic process. Psychologists and other mental health professionals are bound by strict ethical guidelines to protect your privacy. If you are a teenager, your therapist will discuss confidentiality with you and your parents to ensure everyone understands the limits and exceptions. Generally, we will maintain your confidentiality unless there is a significant risk of harm to yourself or others. If this is something that worries you please discuss it with your therapist in your first session.
A lot of people find this difficult to get their head around but heres the basics:
Psychologist: A psychologist has completed a minimum of six years of university training (or 4 years training and 2 years supervised practice) and is registered with AHPRA and Psychology Board of Australia. They can provide psychological assessments, diagnosis, and a range of evidence-based therapies.
Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialised in mental health and is registered with the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. They can prescribe medication and provide therapy, often focusing on more severe mental health conditions.
Psychotherapist: This is a broad term that encompasses various mental health professionals who provide therapy. Psychotherapists may have different training backgrounds and specialisations for example they can also be a psychiatrist, a social worker, a mental health nurse or a psychologist.
Counsellor: A counsellor typically has a degree in counselling or a related field. They provide support and guidance for a range of personal and emotional issues. Counsellors don’t hold a protected title like psychologists, psychiatrists and other medical doctors, so anyone can call themselves a counsellor. A reputable counsellor will be registered with a professional body called the Australian Counselling Association. To protect you, please make sure that the professional you are seeing is registered with a counselling professional body.
Contact Us
Find our contact details and get in touch with our team for any assistance or questions.
Suite 4 & 5, 5 redleaf avenue wahroonga
(02) 9037 3509