FAQs

+ How can I access a psychologist or counsellor?

There are a number of ways you can access counselling, including WorkCover, CTP, etc. Give us a call to have a yarn and find out.

There are a number of ways you can access a clinician:

  • You can work with your doctor to get a referral under Medicare. Your GP will need to undertake a Mental Health Care Plan. Some of our clinicians can offer services that have a Medicare rebate.
  • Your workplace might have an EAP – Employee Assistance Program. Speak to your HR department or Manager to find out.
  • Your Private Health Fund may provide you with some coverage for psychological services. Contact your Health Fund to see if you are eligible for a rebate.
  • You can come as a private client and cover the cost of the counselling session.
  • Your NDIS plan may cover Therapeutic Supports.
  • AWI Consulting clinicians are registered with a number of support organisations which may assist or cover cost of services. These include WorkCover, CTP, etc.

+ Will I be charged if I have a Medicare referral?

Yes. AWI Consulting is not a bulk-billing practice.

Sessions will be charged in full prior to or at the time of consultation.

  • $160-$220 for a standard 50-minute consultation with a Provisional Psychologist.
  • $180-$220 for a standard 50-minute consultation with a Mental Health Nurse.
  • $160-$180 for a standard 50-minute consultation with a Generalist Counsellor.
  • $260-280 for a standard 50-minute consultation with a Registered Psychologist.
  • Standard NDIS fees apply when provided by a Psychologist or Allied Health Professional.

If you see one of our Registered Psychologists and are eligible for the Medicare rebate, you can claim $96.65 back through Medicare.

Prices do NOT include GST and may need to be added depending on the party engaging us in service (e.g. if we provide services to a third party, for example an EAP, we may need to charge GST).

We require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice of a cancellation and if you do not provide this, you will be invoiced the full fee of your session.

+ Can I recieve a Medicare rebate?

If you see one of our Registered Psychologists and are eligible for the Medicare rebate, you can claim $96.65 back through Medicare.

Provisional Psychologists at AWI Consulting are provisionally registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and are ineligable for a Medicare Provider Number. Counsellors and Mental Health Nurses are also ineligible for a Medicare Provider Number, therefore Medicare rebates cannot be claimed for services provided by these clinicians. As a result, clinic fees are kept at affordable rates.

+ Can I receive a private health insurance rebate for therapy?

Clients who are comprehensively covered by private health insurance funds may not be able to claim rebates from their insurer for services provided by Provisional Psychologists at AWI Consulting, as our Provisional Psychologists do not have a provider number (See Medicare rebate information above). Enquires regarding cover for psychological services at the Clinic should be directly addressed to your private health insurance fund. Should your health fund be willing to cover services provided by a Provisional Psychologist, AWI Consulting may be able to register with your health fund.

+ What if I can't pay?

AWI Consulting is not a bulk billing practice and if you have a genuine inability to pay, please seek support from your GP. Your GP will be able to assist you by recommending/referring you to supportive counselling services in your area or via telehealth that may have capacity to bulk bill.

You may be eligible for an NDIS plan if you have a diagnosed disability. You can speak with your GP or the NDIA for further information.

We are unable to assist clients to complete access forms in relation to gain access to the NDIS, though we can provide assessments to assist with obtaining a diagnosis. Please speak with the NDIA around accessing funding for assessments.

If you are experiencing a crisis or an emergency, please call: Triple Zero 000

Need to talk? If you are in crisis, anxious or depressed and want to talk with someone:

Lifeline 13 11 14 (for anyone)

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)

For more mental health resources, head to our Resources page.

+ Is my information confidential?

We are bound by law to keep your information confidential and we will only use or disclose your information for purposes directly related to your treatment. At your first appointment, we will discuss aspects of confidentiality with you.

Exceptions to confidentiality occur when:

  • your information is subpoenaed by the courts
  • your information regards criminal activity, including, but not limited to, sexual assault, criminal conduct, and domestic violence
  • your information places you or another person at risk

You can read more in theGuidelines to the National Privacy Principles and read more about privacy and confidentiality.

+ When should I seek support from a psychologist or counsellor?

Good question – how long is a piece of string? Nope, in all seriousness, if you just aren’t feeling 100%, it might be time to reach out. Stress is a sneaky little tacker, he will sneak up on you when you least expect it. Here are some signs that you might not be travelling too well:

  • Poor sleep or less sleep
  • No longer dreaming at night
  • Being snitchy and irritable
  • Having difficulty winding down and “shooshing” your mind
  • Pushing those you love away
  • Not doing the things you’d usually enjoy
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Your get up and go “got up and went” (feeling unmotivated)
  • Difficulty focusing or concentrating
  • Ratty memory (dang! Where did I leave my keys??)
  • Not exercising
  • Sore jaw, headaches and muscle aches/pains
  • Significant weight loss or weight gain (+5kg in 6 months)
  • Feeling lonely or worthless

These are some of the areas that counselling can help you with:

  • Getting back to basics – prioritising what will make you feel well. This includes understanding why getting a good sleep and fuelling your body with the best foods is important. Reconnecting to what makes you smile – regaining a sense of achievement and enjoyment.
  • Personal issues such as stress management, grief and loss, low self-esteem, the effects of emotional or physical abuse, interpersonal conflicts.
  • Mental Illness such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, eating disorders, phobias, adjustment disorders etc.
  • Family issues such as work-life balance, concerns about children, parenting, relationship issues, mediation, communication, conflict resolution.
  • Work issues such as problems with performance, relationships with colleagues, communication, managing conflict, traumatic events.

+ How many sessions will I need?

Your initial consultation will last approximately 1 hour and subsequent consultations will last 50 minutes.

Each client is different and the number of sessions you will need depends on several factors, including the complexity of the issues you want help with and what you want to achieve from counselling. We work with you to develop a treatment plan based on your needs.

+ Will I have homework?

Sometimes, yes. During your sessions we may have worked with you to help develop various life skills or strategies and we encourage you to put these into practice during your daily interactions.

Occasionally, we will provide you with reading material which we think could be helpful to you.

Or we may ask you to complete a questionnaire that will help us tailor your therapy to best help you.

+ When are appointments available?

Our practice is open, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

+ Do your Psychologists undertake assessments?

Yup, we sure do. Psychological assessment is a bit of a niche market, and definitely something we do, and do regularly. In 2019 we undertook over 80 comprehensive assessments in Central and Western NSW.

Some of the assessments we can undertake include testing for anxiety disorders and mood disorders such as depression, dissociation, trauma/PTSD and complex PTSD. We can undertake cognitive (IQ), adaptive, autism, functional, individual achievement/specific learning and behavioural assessments.

We can screen for ADHD, ADD, ODD, CD, ASD and sensory integration concerns. (Screening is not diagnosis).

We don't diagnose Autism and we don’t do NDIS behavioural support plans. Those are super niche and we know some gurus that we would recommend.

Fees for report writing, attendance at school/other agency meetings, home consultations are available on request. Fees for Educational Assessments vary and are available on request.

See our page on assessments for more info.