FAQ

Psychologists are expert in human behaviour and assist people to find ways of functioning more efficiently and get more out of every day life. They are able to assess, diagnose and treat people with a wide range of emotional and behavioural problems and help them cope more effectively with everyday stressors. Psychologists study human behaviour in their undergraduate psychology degree before undertaking a further two years of supervised clinical experience and gaining registration.

Clinical Psychologists in addition to fulfilling the requirements of a registered psychologist, have also completed two years of formal, post-graduate (Masters level) clinical training in an accredited, university based program. Further, a clinical psychologist is required to complete two more years supervised clinical training. There are also clinical psychologists who use the title “Doctor”, and these highly qualified clinicians have also completed a PhD in psychology or a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology (PsyD).

Counsellors can come from a broad range of training and backgrounds. Currently in Australia the term “counsellor” is not protected. This means that anyone can refer to themselves as a counsellor. Having said this many counsellors have undertaken training and education in educational settings, ranging from a Diploma up to a Masters degree. An organisation called the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) has also been set up to protect the standards and ethical training of the counselling profession.

Psychological therapy is the name given to a wide range of treatment approaches that are aimed at improving the mental and emotional wellbeing of people who are experiencing difficulties in their life. Psychological therapy allows the person to focus on and discuss their concerns in a supportive, non-judgemental and confidential environment.

Psychological therapy is not about the psychologist telling the person what to do. Rather, the psychologist aims to assist their client in working through and resolving their difficulties autonomously. Psychological therapy also aims to equip a person with the skills to cope more effectively should similar problems arise in the future.

At the beginning of your first session your psychologist will briefly run through important paperwork with you. This will include completing a form with basic personal information and a consent form that cover issues such as confidentiality, fees and other important information about sessions. If you have been referred by a GP or psychiatrist, we will discuss the details of your Mental Health Treatment Plan at this point.

After completing paperwork the remainder of the session is usually spent discussing the issues that have brought you into therapy. As well as developing a thorough understanding of your concerns, your psychologist will explore relevant background history, for example, information about your family, social relationships, work history and any past counselling that you have done. Based on this information we will begin to help you to understand more about what might be triggering and maintaining your current issues. If time allows we will also work with you to develop a collaborative and flexible plan for future therapy sessions.

All sorts of individuals consult with psychologists over a range of different issues. Many individuals who see a psychologist at Sehat psychology are generally successful people who may be troubled by feelings, behaviours, thoughts or concerns that currently prevent them from functioning to their full capacity or from feeling happy and fulfilled in their lives.

Life changes, new events or circumstances, and changes in relationships or work often trigger difficulties that can be troubling. Alternatively, some individuals have been struggling with difficult feelings or behaviours over a long period of time, and decide that it is time to get some help. Sometimes people have an inexplicable feeling of sadness or pain that they cannot get through and need help to understand the source of these feelings in order to become unstuck.

You may have a brief conversation over the phone or email them to find out if your particular issue is something that would respond well to psychological treatment. In an initial consultation with the psychologist, these issues will be explored more fully.

A treating psychologist has a therapeutic role in which the focus of the service is on the client’s interests. This is different from the preparation of a report for a court which centres on the task of the court rather than the interests of the client. For this reason we recommend that court reports are obtained from psychologists that focus on report writing for court. A quick internet search will provide a list of organisations that offer this service.

I may provide reports for Department of Immigration and Citizenship and/or Centrelink. Written reports require the practitioner’s time to prepare and write. The cost of written reports is in addition to your consultation fees and is not rebatable from Medicare. If you believe your private health fund or insurer will pay for the report you need to confirm with them.

Sessions are approximately 50 minutes

You do not have to have a referral to access private health cover rebates for psychology, you just need to make an appointment. You should check the amount of your rebate with your fund.

Yes. You are welcome to attend Sehat Psychology anytime without a referral. You only need a referral if you wish to claim Medicare rebates.  Many clients do not use Medicare but prefer to pay the full fee or use Private Health rebates.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a specific type of cognitive behavioural therapy that has been effective in reducing post-traumatic symptoms related to a variety of traumatic events including child abuse, combat, rape and natural disasters. CPT is endorsed by the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defence, as well as the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies, as a best practice for the treatment of PTSD.

CPT is generally delivered over 12 sessions and it focuses upon how the person’s understanding of the traumatic event and their experiences in the aftermath.  CPT is aimed at helping the individual develop more helpful and balanced beliefs about the trauma. In so doing, the patient creates a new understanding and conceptualisation of the traumatic event so that it reduces its ongoing negative effects on current life.

Schema therapy is most effective in the treatment of personality disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, relationship difficulties; and is used when people fail to respond or relapse after having been through other therapies.

Schema therapy was developed in an attempt to help those who had not seen any benefits with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and aims to change negative patterns or beliefs that people have lived with for a long time-also know as ‘Schemas’. These schemas typically begin early in our life, though sometimes, they can start from later on in adulthood, and can be reinforce by certain behaviours, patterns of thinking and the mind’s coping strategies. Therefore, schema therapy helps you to break these ways of thinking, feeling and behaving, and replacing them with healthier alternatives.

Schema therapy’s main focus is to identify core schemas and how they might have contributed to negative patterns that are present in your life and which prevent you from having a meaningful life and meaningful relationships. Some of the core schemas that this therapy focuses on are ones of abandonment, defectiveness, emotional deprivation, mistrust and social isolation.