What therapies do you use for eating, weight, and body image issues and eating disorders?
We use a range of evidence –based therapies, which means they have been scientifically proven to be effective. These include:
- Intuitive Eating and health at every size (HAES)
- cognitive behavioural therapy for eating disorders (CBT-E) for adults
- Family Based Therapy / Maudsley family therapy for teens with eating disorders
What therapies do you use for low mood, depression, anxiety and stress?
We use evidence-based therapies, usually mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy. We adapt this for teens, but the underlying model is the same for teens and adults.
Do I need a referral to see a Psychologist?
No, you don’t need a referral from your doctor, however you will only be able to claim a rebate from Medicare if your doctor gives you a specific referral, called a mental health care plan. It is entirely up to you whether you wish to use this system.
I live in a rural or remote area – can you do Skype sessions?
Yes we offer telehealth consults via Zoom (not Skype). Zoom is free, easy to use and encrypted, so meets the Medicare guidelines. To claim a Medicare rebate for these sessions you must have a care plan referral from your GP, and must live in a rural or remote area, defined as being in the Modified Monash Model regions 4,5,6 and 7.
Extra sessions for people with eating disorders from November 2019
The Federal Government has announced that, as of November 2019, people with eating disorders will be able to claim a greater number of sessions which will be rebated under Medicare. The current suggestion is that this will increase to 20, or even 40, sessions per year, depending on the diagnosis and severity. This is excellent news, and we will keep you updates as more information is released.
What is happening with the Medicare review of psychology services?
During 2019, the Federal Government is reviewing all Medicare items (there are about 10,000). Over time, there are many procedures which used to be considered evidence based, but which are now shown to not be effective, or there is a better procedure available, so these less effective procedures are being removed. As part of this overall review, the services for psychology which can be claimed with a mental health care plan are being reviewed. The Australian Psychological Society is advocating for a greater number of sessions for many people, and a wider range of therapies, however we will have to wait and see what the final decision is.
My child won’t come to counselling, what do I do?
It is fine to encourage your child or teen with low mood or anxiety to attend, perhaps suggesting they ‘just go once to see what they think’.
If your child has an eating disorder, you need to insist that they attend. It is unlikely that they will want to attend, as they will probably not think that they need help. However, it is essential that your family and child receives the help they need to recover from an eating disorder, so you will need to be more determined to get them here. Do whatever it takes and make it non-negotiable.
Will the psychologist understand my issue?
This is a common concern for many people. Laura has been a psychologist for over 20 years, so has helped clients overcome a wide range of issues. Her goal is to work collaboratively with you to help you achieve the best possible outcome, which may also include referring you to a different service if needed.
Isn’t counselling just talking?
Talking with a psychologist is not the same as talking with a friend. The role of counselling is to give you an opportunity to think deeply about your concerns, to learn specific strategies to better manage your situation, and / or to learn to see your situation from a new, more helpful perspective. Usually you will be taught skills to practice between sessions, so that you begin to make changes in your life outside of counselling.
Why does the GP suggest I see a Psychiatrist as well as a Psychologist?
A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has undertaken further specialist training in diagnosis and management of mental health disorders. Psychiatrists have specialist knowledge in prescribing medication for people with long term or complex mental health issues, or for people who have complex medical conditions. Your GP may suggest that you consult a Psychiatrist if you have had difficulty finding a medication which works for you with minimal side effects, or which is safe to use with other medications you need to take.
So, a Psychologist will help you develop the extra skills and strategies you need to manage your psychological health, the Psychiatrist can assist with medication support.
What’s the difference between a Psychologist and a counsellor, therapist or psychotherapist?
The term ‘Psychologist’ is a registered profession in Australia, which means that people wishing to use that title must be registered with the Psychologists Board of Australia (PsyBA). To register with the PsyBA, a Psychologist must complete a minimum of 6 years of study and supervised training. To maintain their registration, psychologists are required to work according to strict professional and ethical guidelines, and to participate in regular supervision and training (currently 30 hours per year). This means that psychologists are mental health specialists. The terms ‘counsellor’, ‘therapist’ and psychotherapist’ are not registered professions in Australia, which unfortunately means that anyone can use these titles, even if they have no training.