FAQ

All information disclosed in your session with a psychologist is done so in strict confidence. There are, however, two important exceptions to this rule. The first is if you are at risk of harm to yourself or someone else and the second exception is in relation to issues pertaining to the law in Australia such as court orders. If either of these situations becomes relevant, your psychologist will discuss this with you. Read OnTrack Psychology Brisbane’s Privacy Policy.

We often get asked how long sessions with a psychologist last. At OnTrack Psychology, Psychologist sessions are approximately 50 minutes long and can be undertaken face-to-face or using telehealth. We prefer face-to-face counselling sessions, however with the impact of COVID and due to distance, we find that telehealth sessions in some instances can be equally or even more effective. We offer a free 15-minute initial telephone consultation, book appointment now.

If you have a referral from your GP or a psychiatrist for a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you will be eligible to receive a Medicare rebate of $124.50 (for a clinical psychologist) and $84.80 (for a general psychologist) per session for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. Please click for details of our fees. Private Health Insurance If you have private health insurance that includes psychological counselling as extras cover, you may be eligible for a partial rebate. Pure Psychology Brisbane recommends that you contact your insurance provider for further information about your individual coverage. Read about our psychology fees here.

To be a counsellor in Australia, you can complete a broad range of training and have a range of backgrounds. Currently, in Australia, the term “counsellor” is not protected. meaning that essentially anyone can call themselves a counsellor. However, it is important to note that many counsellors have undertaken training and education in educational settings, ranging from a Diploma up to a Masters degree. By comparison, a psychologist has completed many years of tertiary education and must have a Masters Degree in Psychology from a registered and accredited educational institution in Australia. In addition, to practice as a Psychologist in Australia you must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Assocation (AHPRA). Read about me.

Psychologists are health professionals who work in a range of areas including clinical, health, neuropsychology, sports, forensic, education, organisational, and community settings. To become a fully registered psychologist you must undertake an undergraduate degree that is generally four years in duration, followed by a 2-year full-time Honours degree. In addition, at least two years of supervised training and further education in the field of psychology is also required. Psychologists assist people with everyday concerns such as anxiety, relationship problems, addiction, stress and relationship difficulties, as well as mental health issues. Psychologists use specific talk therapies to help people to develop skills to cope with difficulties and to prevent ongoing issues. Psychiatrists are doctors who have completed a medical degree and further specialised training and study related to the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Psychiatrists focus primarily on the medical treatment of mental illness and can prescribe medication. 

We provide a warm, caring, and safe environment when visiting OnTrack Psychology Brisbane. At the beginning of your first session, your psychologist will briefly work through important paperwork with you, and that includes completing an electronic or paper form with basic personal information and a consent form. The consent form is important, it covers issues including confidentiality, fees, and other important information about therapy. If you have been referred by a GP or psychiatrist, and already have a Mental Health Care Plan, we will discuss the details of your plan at this time.  After completing paperwork the remainder of the session is spent exploring the issues that have brought you to therapy. As part of this process, your psychologist will explore relevant background history – for example, information about your family structures, social relationships, work history, and any past counselling. Based on this information your psychologist will begin to help you to understand more about your current issues. We will also work with you to develop a collaborative and flexible plan for future therapy sessions.

Every person is different and has differing reasons for visiting a psychologist. The amount of sessions you wilol need is dependent on the nature of why they are coming in and what it is that you are are hoping to get out of sessions. Some people come to see a psychologist to develop coping strategies to reduce or manage symptoms of mental illness, stress, depression or anxiety. This type of work can be short to medium term, but might also involve checking in less frequently over the longer-term to deal with setbacks or prevent relapse. Others come to therapy to understand long-standing issues such as relationship, social or family issues and may need ongoing support which can happen over an extended period of time, although again, this is dependent on client preferences. Or you may only need a single session – this is a difficult question to answer.

Depending on your needs and preferences OnTrack Psychology Brisbane uses a variety of evidence-based approaches to help you improve your mental health and wellbeing. Below are some of the therapeutic approaches we use:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Mindfulness
• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
• Solution-focused therapy
• Dialectical behaviour therapy
• Client-centred therapy
• Acceptance and commitment therapy
• Motivational interviewing
• Narrative therapy
• Play therapy for children with trauma