Answers to your questions
We understand you might have questions before starting your journey with us. Here you'll find answers to the most common queries about our psychological services.
We believe in transparency and making sure you feel comfortable and informed every step of the way. Below are some key aspects you should know.
Frequently asked questions
What is involved in the sessions? How does it work?
At the first appointment, an intial clinical assessment is conducted which involves gathering detailed information about your current presentation, issue & concern, symptoms and how it impacts your well-being. Other features include background history of medical, medications, psychological hx, clinical assessment, childhood & school days, family hx, supports, interests, coping skills.
We will conclude with identifying your best hopes from the sessions, collaboratively develop your treatment plan with goals and desired realistic outcomes.
You will be given a task to consider between your sessions to help fascilitate treatment objectives.
At the commencement of your next session the outcome of these tasks are discussed and lead into new session content.
Regular review & monitoring of your progress is incorporated in session with adjustments made to intervention to ensure therapy is tailored to your needs.
What is involved in the appointment process and how often do I need to book?
After making contact, you'll receive a return phone call to discuss your referral, suitability, and to set up an initial appointment at a time convenient for you. You will be sent a digital Practice Information form & Screening tool to read, fillout, sign and submit prior to your first session.
All appointments are scheduled for 50+ minutes.
We encourage you to make 3 appointments at the outset for Diary Management purposes, to ensure you secure therapeutically timely appointments. Intervals are a week apart for session 1 and 2, with session 3 two weeks afterward.
Continuity and timeliness of appointments will bring about better outcomes. Most session intervals are 2 weekly, until such time as we can extend them to 3-4 weeks and then offer a 6-week follow up appointment to ensure you maintain your gains, prior to closing.
You may elect to cease attending sessions at any time, without prejuding your future treatment opportunities at this Practice.
What are the fees for service?
Palmisano Psychological Services-Telehealth is a private billing clinical psychology service. We do not bulk bill, however under exceptional circumstances, you may qualify for a reduced fee.
The APS Recommendation of Fees for Psychologists 2026 is set at $318 for a 46-60min appointment. Palmisano Psychological Services- Telehealth fees are well below this fee structure to aid access.
Invoices are required to be paid 15 minutes prior to the commencement of your session via our encrypted secure payment system or a bank EFT. Your Invoice will be emailed to you at least 1 hour prior to session commencement for your attention.
The Fee Options are as follows:
1. MHTP- Fees are set to $245.00 for a 50+ min session.
2. Private Health Fund- Fees are set to $245.00 for 55min session.
3. Insurance Cover: $328.90 for 55 min session.
4. DVA: $239.85 for 50+min session.
5. Reduced Fee under exceptional circumstances: $220
Do I receive a rebate?
Rebates for Services are available. Your eligible rebate depends on your funding source.
You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate (with a pre-arranged GP Mental Health Treatment Plan), which is currently set at $145.25 and processed with Medicare on your behalf after your session and directly deposited into the bank account you have registered with Medicare. The Rebate amount is re-indexed each July. Medicare will provide up to 10 rebate sessions per calander year.
You may choose to use your Private Health Fund. No referral is required for PHF clients. The rebate amount differs greatly depending on your cover type. Please check this prior to electing to use your Private Health Fund to ensure you know your level of cover. No referral is required for PHF clients. You will need to process your rebate with your PHF.
You can use your DVA Gold Card to cover for Services. Your fee is claimed online through DVA on your behalf.
W/Comp & ICWA Insurance Claims/ Compensable Clients: A GP Referral is essential. When your Claim is Accepted, prior approvals from the Insurer for sessions must be obtained by the Practice before proceeding. Invoices are sent directly to the Insurer. Should your claim be in either a Pending Status or Declined Status, you will be required to pay the full Insurance Rate Fee and recover this from the Insurer. Current Clinical Psychology fees as set by Workcover Wa and ICWA are $328.90/hour
Do I receive a courtesy reminder?
Yes, courtesy reminders are provided 48hours prior to your scheduled appointment to help you remember your upcoming appointment. You will receive both an SMS and an Email to which we ask you respond with YES or NO.
Do I need a GP Referral?
Yes, when you are eligible for a GP MHTP (Mental Health Treatment Plan).
- It is a Medicare requirement that a Referring GP develops a MHTP, provides the MHTP and a referral letter to the Practice prior to commencement. Rebates can only be processed when a MHTP is in place.
- It is procedure that a GP MHTP Review is conducted after session 6 and at session 10. Without this and an updated MHTP Review letter, your Medicare rebate cannot be processed.
- DVA Gold card holders need a GP Referral for commencement of sessions and a GP Review after session 8 of 12.
- Insurance covered clients require your GP to make a referral to support collaborative care and Insurance approvals.
- No Referral is required for Private Health Fund rebate claims.
What happens if I need to cancel or do not attend?
Late Cancellation Policy/DNA- In consideration of others who are waiting for a timely appointment, this Practice asks for 24hours notice should you need to cancel or reschedule.
Should you need to alter or change an appointment, we recommend you do this prior to the 24hour notice period.
We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise where the 24hour notice cannot be given. ie. Illness.
In general, a late fee of $100 is applied for late cancellations and non-attendance unless the situation warrants a waiver of cancellation fee. An invoice will be forwarded to you for your attention and payment is expected prior to your next appointment.
Our cancellation policy will be discussed with you upon your initial contact.
What about my confidentiality, privacy, and consent?
Your confidentiality and privacy are paramount. The Practice is required under AHPRA Code of Conduct 2025 to maintain confidentiality of information obtained in the course of the provision of the therapy services and administrative role.
We adhere to strict ethical guidelines and legal requirements regarding your personal and health information. Disclosure or exchange of your personal information to other parties can ONLY be given upon receipt of a specified & comprehensive consent form signed by you. In some circumstances, verbal consent from you is obtained followed by the written consent.
LIMITS OF CONFIDENTIALITY: Psychologists have a professional mandate to ensure your safety and that of others around you. In certain circumstances it may be a professional requirement to breech confidentiality when there is sufficient cause of concern for your saftey and to prevent serious harm to yourself, another person or the community at large. Such situations would include imminent suicide risk, suspected abuse, self harm and serious threats to one's life.
In addition, a Court may subpoena a file for viewing or request a report. Psychologists have a professional mandate in these situations to comply and make this available to the Courts. Should any circumstance arise, every possible attempt will be made to discuss the request before taking required action.
PLEASE NOTE: It is important to know your Referring GP receives an initial contact letter, a progress letter after session 6 & 10, and a closure letter. The information released is a short summary of presenting issues, treatment goals and outcomes. It allows your referring GP to make clinicial decisions about the over-all management of the concern being addressed and helps to determine whether other services are needed.
Is the data security and privacy protected?
Yes, we use a secure and encrypted digital platform and practice management program to ensure the utmost data security and privacy for all your information.
Coreplus Practice Software System, meets Australian & International Compliance Standards- i270001, is highly trusted and a secure platform in the Health Industry.
All Data has end to end encryption with links and access controls for authorised access, use, modification and disclosure to preserve the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information.
Bank details are not stored on the system. You are required to enter temporary details when you make payment through our PAY NOW button via Pinpayments. You have the option to process an EFT from your Bank for payment of Invoices.
How would you describe your approach to helping people?
Our approach emphasises a mindful & present moment orientation toward improving mental well-being, resolving our reactivity, leaning into struggles, let go of what we perceive or believe is before us with support to relate to lifes issues from a new persepective and take value driven actions. This is in contrast to problem centred discussions with emphasis on fixing or solving the issue, getting rid of it.
The approach is a strengths based orientation rather than a deficit model with notions of insufficient, defective or inadequate.
What makes your service unique?
We offer a small, non commercialised, personalised exclusive service with one dedicated clinician. You will have confidence the person you intially speak with is the Clinician who will provide you with your sessions. This allows for a more personable experience, increased privacy, direct with contact via phone or email as needed, fostering a strong therapeutic relationship and tailored support.
A Telehealth platform includes the convenience of virtual digital healthcare from your home or anywhere you have internet. Processing of Medicare rebates are done for you after the session.
All services are secure, high privacy & information encrypted in the Practice Management System digital platform. This ensures an ethical, discreet, comfortable, and efficient experience.
Queries & Feedback
You will have an opportunity to raise any concerns about the Practice Information Sheet at the start of the first session, when we go through the form together to ensure we are both on the same page and have agreed expectations.
The Practice welcomes constructive feedback and seeks to continually improve its services to clients.
A Client Satisfaction Questionnaire will be sent to your email with the option to return it.
Ready to start your journey?
Our mission is to support you in nurturing & cultivating well-being through positive thinking, emotional stability, and value-driven behaviors, all of which pave the way for a richer and more meaningful life.
If you have more questions or are ready to begin, reach out to us.