No. Anyone can see a psychologist without a referral. A referral is only necessary if you wish to receive the Medicare rebate (with exception of those who qualify under bush fire program – then you don’t need a referral).
Please view this APS website to find out more information.
Your GP will be able to determine whether you are eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan. If you are eligible, s/he will complete a Medicare referral form (2700, 2701, 2715 or 2717) and provide you a copy. Bring that referral to your first appointment along with your Medicare card to be eligible for Medicare rebate or bulk billing.
Medicare will provide a rebate for up to 10 sessions – within in a 12 month period for psychological therapy.
To qualify for this Medicare rebate you will need a referral from a GP or Psychiatrist and have a valid mental health plan with Medicare.
Concession fee for Pensioners, DSP, Health care card holders, seniors cards (but not seniors savers cards) and Full time Uni/Tafe Studentsis $178 (resulting in $40.95 out of pockt gap – if you have a GP/MHCP referral).
DVA clients and local high school students will continue to be bulk billed.
Understandably, attending the first session may make you feel uncomfortable or even create feelings of anxiety. Meeting with someone you do not know and talking about difficult issues is generally the reason for this. However, the primary goal of the first session is to simply discuss with Cheree your current concerns and reasons for seeking help. You can expect Cheree to listen to your needs and goals for treatment and answer any questions you may have. She will do this in a non-judgmental and supportive manner. Demographic and consent forms will also be given at the first session for you to fill in
The number of sessions needed varies from one person to another and will largely depend on your individual needs and goals. Some people are helped within one to two sessions, whist others feel better supported by attending a greater number of appointments. This can be due to various reasons, such as longstanding difficulties, ongoing stressors, unresolved problems and so on. On average however, people attend between 6 and 12 sessions.
A Clinical Psychologist has completed a minimum of six years study at university and has completed either a Masters or Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology and have obtained at least two years clinical supervision. Clinical Psychologists have a Clinical endorsement by the psychology registration board of Australia on their registration.
Psychologists have completed a minimum of four years study at university and at least two years of supervised practice.
All Psychologists are registered with the Psychology board of Australia and they must abide by a strict Code of Conduct.
Clinical Psychologists are experts in the study of human behaviour and are able to assess, diagnose and treat people with a wide range of emotional and behavioural problems. Almost anyone can refer to themselves as a counsellor/psychotherapist because their profession is largely unregulated and their qualifications are less easily defined.
Cheree is highly trained and experienced in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This evidence-based approach seeks to change what you think (cognitive) and what you do (behaviour). Together, these changes work to improve the way you feel (often the main goal). CBT largely focuses on circumstances relevant to the ‘here and now’ and equips individuals to make meaningful and lasting changes by learning skills and strategies. CBT is evidence-based because it has been extensively studied and validated and can assist with many different types of problems.
As required, Cheree incorporates other evidence-based treatments, such as EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Therapy and strategies from Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).
Yes. Cheree has been living in the mountains since 2010.
Cheree has 4 x Step-Children, all have finished high school.
Yes. If you disclose that you are going to harm yourself, harm someone else or if you are harming children, then Cheree needs to disclose this information and seek assistance/report this to authorities. In addition, if Cheree’s file notes are subpoenaed by a court, then she needs to comply.
No. Please email any correspondence that you wish to send. Due to too much spam being received I deleted my email address from this website. Please call and speak with my receptionist to obtain my email address for any correspondence that you would like to send. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
You can phone or send a message through the ‘contact me’ page. You can use whichever method you are most comfortable with and Cheree or her reception staff will get back to you.
No. All appointments are by prior arrangement only. Please phone to make an appointment.
No. No reports will be provided for these purposes, no exceptions will apply.
No. Please contact NDIS or Victims of crime counselling services for a list of their providers.
I can/do see self managed NDIS clients
You can pay using either debit/credit cards, NFC cards, Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay at the time of the appointment. A surcharge of 0.53%-1.44% applies depending on your card/transaction type.
Telehealth session payments that do not qualify for the rural rebate need to be paid prior to the session taking place, either at the time that the appointment is made or at the beginning of the session via a credit card.
Many funds provide rebates for clients with “Extras” cover. Please check with your insurer as to what you are entitled to claim.
Anyone from the age of 15yrs / Year 9 in High school – upwards.
A standard 50 minute appointment (in person, via video or phone) is $198 (with a GP referral/Mental health plan -Medicare will give you back $137.05 resulting in an out of pocket gap fee of $60.95)
Concession Fee is $178 (Pensioners/DSP/Health Care card holders/Full time Uni & Tafe Students – with a GP referral – out of pocket fee of $40.95)
A standard 50 minute home visit is $228 (with a GP referral – out of pocket gap fee of $67.65)
Self-managed/plan managed NDIS clients – standard 50 min session is $214.40
DVA clients will be bulk billed (with an appropriate GP DVA referral).
90 min session fee is $250 – available upon request at 4pm and 5.30pm time slots only (with a GP referral – out of pocket gap fee of $112.95)
Any letters/certificates or forms requested outside/in addition to the required Medicare letters to your GP, will be charged pro-rata of my hourly fee of $198 (plus GST).
I deleted my email address from my website due to too much spam mail. But if you need to email me, please call and ask my reception staff for it and they will be happy to give it to you.
No, I do not specialise in relationship or family therapy. My speciality is in individual counselling. However, as a part of that process it is not uncommon to have a family member join you at times for support in your sessions, or as a one off to assist with the therapeutic process as required.