Appointments

If you have never attended therapy or counselling, or even if you have, you might feel a little worried and uncertain about what to expect. The FAQs below aim to answer some of the questions you might have.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.

General

  • Please contact our friendly administrative team on (07) 3059 9881, email us directly at hello@lucykennedypsych.com, or use our contact us form.

  • Sessions are approximately 50 minutes long.

  • Lucy will be flexible in supporting your treatment goals in line with your individual needs. Initially, weekly or fortnightly appointments are recommended. However, this can be tailored to suit individual needs and lifestyle, and therapy can be provided less regularly.

    For perinatal clients recommend booking 3 sessions 1-2 weekly intervals, and for other presentations please book your first 4-6 sessions.

    Assessments most often require 1-2 sessions.

  • It is normal to have mixed feelings in the lead up to an initial session. You do not have to spend time thinking about what to say or how to present your story, Lucy will help guide you.

    The first couple of sessions will be focussed on gathering a comprehensive history which helps Lucy begin to understand who you are, what you have been through, the things you are having difficulty with in your internal (e.g. symptoms of anxiety or depression) or external world (e.g. relationships, parenting), and then to begin to set goals for ongoing therapy sessions.

    You’ll also have an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about how Lucy works. Typically, it can take up to two sessions to come to a place where a shared understanding and treatment plan is developed to reach your goals.

    If you have any other questions about therapy and how it might help you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

  • Each person’s journey is unique and treatment will be tailored to suit their individual needs.

    Sessions will focus on helping you understand your symptoms, the factors that might be contributing to your current level of distress, and which therapy approaches are likely to be the most beneficial for treatment (psycho-education).

    Treatment will involve evidence- based, therapeutic techniques that aim to reduce distress, lessen symptoms, and improve wellbeing. As well as a homework plan and refreshing goals if necessary or desired.

    Overall, therapy with Lucy aims to help you feel an increased sense of wellbeing and meaning/purpose.

  • The amount of time required for therapy is determined by your individual needs, the severity of your symptoms and how you are responding to treatment – that is, how you feel and function in between sessions.

    Some people may only require three or four sessions then take a break, others may require and desire many more sessions (for example this may include people with a trauma history, more severe symptoms on presentation, ongoing external stressors).

  • Many clients like to bring notes that they may have made prior to the session or find it beneficial to take some notes during sessions. If you have any existing reports or assessments, you can bring these also.

  • Lucy does not provide neuropsychological assessments, assessments for ASD or ADHD and does not provide court reports.

  • Yes, telehealth therapy can be provided for clients in rural or remote areas. Medicare subsidised telehealth sessions have been deemed an ongoing feature of the Medicare system in Australia to allow clients in remote areas to have greater access to services.

Fees & Rebates

  • $250 per session.

    A Medicare rebate of $96.65 per session for 10 sessions in a calendar year is available to clients with a referral.

    Or, you will be able to use private health if applicable.

    For further details on current pricing structure or any other appointment questions, please contact our friendly administration team here.

    Please note: we are not currently accepting bulk billing clients.

  • You can see Lucy and engage in therapy without a referral. In order to be able to access the Medicare rebate of $96.65 for up to 10 sessions each calendar year, you need to have a valid GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from a GP. Alternatively, you can obtain a referral letter from a psychiatrist.

  • You need to schedule a longer appointment with your GP or let the reception team at your GP practice know you’d like to obtain a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP).

    Your GP will ask you a series of questions about your thoughts and feelings, they may also ask you to complete a brief questionnaire. It is important to be open with your GP in this process.

    Your GP can then create a MHTP and provide a GP referral letter. Your GP will provide these to you and you can send these directly to Lucy at hello@lucykennedypsych.com, or you can request that your GP do this for you.

    In order to be able to access the rebate, this has to occur before your initial appointment.

    This will allow you to access the Medicare rebate of $96.65 to see Lucy as a registered psychologist. You can then access up to a total of 10 sessions in a calendar year.

    Your initial referral will be for up to 6 sessions. Following the initial 6 sessions, you’ll need to do a review with your GP and then if you and your GP agree, you can access the remaining 4 sessions. Your GP will then issue a second referral letter.

    This also needs to be provided before your next appointment in order to access the Medicare rebate.

    Please feel free to contact our team directly for clarification around Medicare rebates and referrals.

  • Yes you can. If you have health insurance that covers psychology/counselling as extras cover, you may be eligible for a rebate.

    It is recommended that you contact your insurance provider prior to your appointment to determine what your individual coverage is.

    Please note, you cannot claim a Medicare rebate and private health rebate simultaneously.

  • Lucy is dedicated to providing excellent client care in line with evidence-based treatment guidelines. This means that individual session plans need to be developed for each session. Cancellation fees are charged due to the time slot being set aside for individual clients.

    • Did not attend on the day with no notice given: $100

    • After 2 cancellations with less than two hours notice on the same day as appointment: $100

    • 3 cancellations in a row: No further appointments to be booked, your file will be closed. At same time your subsequent scheduled appointments will be cancelled. You will be notified by email. No longer able to access online booking system.

  • Lucy sees NDIS clients who are self-managed or plan-managed in most circumstances where an individual plan allows.

    Lucy does not see NDIS clients who are on agency managed plans.

    Lucy does not see clients who are supported by Workcover.

    Lucy does not see clients under any other third-party organisations at this time.

  • Yes there are. These services incur a fee due to being time consuming in nature. Please allow for 7-10 business days to documentation to be completed.

    Fees will be charged at the rates recommended by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

“Shame is a soul eating emotion.”

— Carl Jung