Frequently asked questions
Not sure what to expect when you see a psychologist?
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
Not sure what to expect when you see a psychologist?
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
You can access our services in a variety of ways. Many people obtain a Mental Health Care Plan and a referral from their GP.
Your GP can also refer eligible people to our psychologists under WorkCover.
If you have a Gold or White Card from the Department of Veterans' Affairs, you may also be eligible to access psychological services with a referral from your GP.
You can contact us directly if you have been approved for psychological support under your NDIS plan.
We can also provide services under the National Redress Scheme.
Alternatively, you can access our services privately, without going through your GP.
If you don’t know who you want to see, you can send in your referral form to the practice, and we'll contact you to discuss your needs.
If you do know who you want to see, you can select the psychologist on our referral form,
If you need more information on obtaining a referral, or if you’re a health professional wanting to refer a client to us, email us at admin@silkyoakpsychology.com.au.
You can also email or call one of us directly.
Helen Mason: 0477 400 439
h.mason@silkyoakpsychology.com.au
Helen Sariban: 0411 562 286
h.sariban@silkyoakpsychology.com.au
In your first session, we will review our confidentiality and consent processes to ensure you are fully informed about what is involved with your psychological service, and how your personal information and privacy is managed.
The first session will typically be longer than ongoing sessions, so that you and your psychologist can collaboratively plan your treatment and begin to work together with you toward your treatment goals.
You will likely be asked to complete a variety of psychological screening/assessment tools to assist with this process. You may also complete some of these tools again in later sessions so we can ensure we are making progress towards your treatment goals.
Treatment goals can include: learning new skills and strategies; reducing unpleasant or intrusive symptoms; learning to manage difficult emotions or sensations; improving coping skills; or managing lifestyle changes.
Your psychologist can help you to work out what is most important to you and tailor a psychological intervention that best meets your needs.
There are no hard or fast rules. Many clients see their psychologist weekly, then fortnightly or monthly as they come closer toward their treatment goals.
Our standard fee is $175 for a session.
Please note our fees will increase to $185 per session on 1 November 2024.
We haven’t increased our fees for a couple of years, and we need to keep up with the costs associated with providing our services.
Please note that if you have been referred under the Department of Veterans' Affairs, WorkCover or an insurer, these organisations will be billed directly for your services and you will not pay any out-of-pocket expenses.
If you are accessing services under your NDIS plan, your invoice will be sent to your Plan Manager.
Silky Oak psychologists believe in equitable access to mental health care. There may be scope to adjust fees if you would otherwise not be able to access services. We can discuss this on a case-by-case basis. Please feel free to ask whether we currently have the capacity to do so.
You’ll be eligible for a rebate from Medicare (currently the rebate is $96.65) with a valid Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP.
Once you have paid for the session, we can submit this claim for you. If your bank details are registered with Medicare, the money should be deposited in your account within 48 hours.
You can access psychological services at Silky Oak Psychology privately, without going through your GP or psychiatrist.
You may be able to access a rebate from your private health fund when you provide a paid invoice.
Please contact your private health fund for more information.
Silky Oak Psychology understands that sometimes circumstances arise that mean you can’t attend an appointment you’ve made. You'll need to let us know as soon as possible if you need to reschedule. Please note that if you cancel within two working days of your appointment, you may be charged a cancellation fee.
Please note that your insurer does not pay for appointments that you make but do not attend, or cancel without enough notice. You will be billed directly in these circumstances.
When we were deciding on a name for our practice, we wanted as committed Tablelanders to evoke a strong sense of place. There's a beautiful silky oak tree native to the area, the Atherton oak, or Athertonia diversifolia. We all appreciate the distinctive grain in silky oak wood – and so our practice proudly bears the name of this lovely tree.
You’ll notice some fine examples of silky oak furniture in our practice reception and rooms.