You do not need a referral from a General Practitioner (GP) to access psychological services and assessment. However, if you have a mental health condition, or co-occurring physical health issues, it is recommended that you see a GP because they can assist by coordinating your treatment.
Wide Bay Psychology does not Bulk Bill. Free and low-cost mental health services may be available through Head to Health.
Payment will be required at the time of session.
Mental Health Care Plan
Mental Health Care Plan
Please note to receive a Medicare rebate when seeing an eligible practitioner, you must have a valid Mental Health Care Plan from your GP. Mental Health Care Plans entitle you to 10 Medicare rebated sessions per calendar year. A referral is required from your GP to access the MHCP rebate. Medicare claims are processed electronically at the time of payment. There will be an out of pocket expense. The full fee needs to be paid prior to making a Medicare claim. The Medicare rebate is approximately $98 which is Medicare pays into your bank account (as nominated on Medicare).
Standard rates: $230.00 per 50-60 minute session.
Payment will be required at the time of session.
On completion of the initial course of treatment, the psychologist will provide a written letter to the referring GP or medical practitioner, which includes information on:
- completed screeners;
- treatment provided; and
- recommendations on future management.
Wide Bay Psychology does not Bulk Bill.
Free and low-cost mental health services may be available through Head to Health.
Private Sessions
Private Paying Client
Clients not covered by a MHCP.
Standard rates: $230.00 per 50-60 minute session.
Payment will be required at the time of session.
Please Note: You are unable to claim private health and MBS rebate for the same session.
- Initial Consultation $230
- Subsequent Consultation $230
- Report Preparation $230 per hour
- Telephone Consultation $230 per hour
- Case Conference $230 per hour
- File review for subpoena or other reasonable purposes
- Photocopying / organising records for subpoena or other reasonable purposes 35 cents per page for printed pages / photocopies
- Letters $230 per hour
Free and low-cost mental health services may be available through Head to Health.
NDIS
NDIS Self and Plan Managed Participants
We are unable to see NDIS Agency Managed (NDIA).
Cost: As per NDIS price guide.
For Self-Managed are payable at the time of your appointment.
Plan Managed Clients - invoices to be paid within 7 days. Please note, if your NDIS plan does not have the required funds to pay for the service you agree that you will then be personally liable for the charges.
Assessments, Letters and Reports
Assessments
Costs of Assessments, letters and reports to be discussed with psychologist.
Estimated cost of comprehensive assessment $2300.
Other assessments / reports / letters documentation fee per hour ($230)
I do not undertake medico-legal reports, firearms, family reports, forensic and some other specialised reports.
NDIS will not pay for diagnostic assessments.
Please note: ADOS is currently not available
Recommended Fees
The recommended fee* for an AAPi Psychologist is www.aapi.org.au $315 For a standard 40-60 minute consultation * Recommendation only. Individual fees may vary. Valid until 30 June 2025.
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide services to:
- Walk-in, crisis or emergency services.
- Medico-legal, worker’s compensation, family court, or other legal matters.
- Clients currently in court proceedings or about to go to court
- Criminal-related behaviours or concerns.
- High risk of suicidality or self-harm.
- High risk of violence to self or others.
- Current psychotic behaviours.
- Serious and chronic substance abuse, addiction or gambling difficulties.
- Bulk Billing and NDIA clients
In case of a crisis or emergency, please call 000 and attend your nearest hospital. We are not a crisis service and we do not provide after office hours contact.
Privacy Policy
| What is Psychological Service? | Psychologists do lots of things to understand and help people. They: Listen: They listen to what people say about their feelings and problems. Talk: They talk with people to find out what is making them feel sad, worried, or angry. Help: They help you learn ways to handle difficult feelings and problems so you can feel better. |
| Why Do People See Psychologists? | Feeling Sad: When someone feels very sad for a long time. Feeling Worried: When someone feels scared or worried a lot. Problems at School or Home: When someone has trouble with friends, school, or family. Big Changes: When something big happens, like moving to a new place or losing a pet. Help with Goals: When you want to work at being really good at something like sport or work. |
| What Will Happen | The psychologist will talk to you and your child and may do some tests to understand their feelings and problems. You and your child will need to work on things at home too. The first few meetings will help the psychologist understand what your child needs. The psychologist must keep information about your child until your child is 25 years old. This information is kept on a secure cloud-based storage system – Splose. |
| Your Rights | You can stop the sessions at any time. You can ask questions if you don’t understand something. You can tell the psychologist about any special needs your child has, like ramps or interpreters. You can tell your psychologist about your child and family’s culture so that this can be respected during treatment. |
| Cultural Safety | We want to make your appointment safe for you. Please tell us if there are any cultural practices that are important to you. Please tell us if you need support to access the clinic like ramps, disabled parking, communication support like interpreters, a device to help you talk, information in different languages or any other support to help you. |
| Confidentiality and Privacy | The psychologist will keep your child’s information private. Information will only be shared if: The law requires it. There has been harm to your child from abuse, or there is a risk of harm to them. You give permission. If there is an emergency and the psychologist needs to get medical help. The psychologist needs to talk to a supervisor about your child’s treatment. They will hide your child’s name and personal information to protect their privacy. |
| Information | You can ask to see your child’s information and so can your child’s other parents usually. The psychologist will keep the information safe and private. We need to ask you and your support people questions so we can help. You can ask to see what we have written down about you. If it is allowed, we will show you. If it is not allowed, we will tell you why. We must keep your information safe so no one else can look at it for at least 7 years, or until you are 25 if you were under 18 years old when you saw us. Your information is kept in Splose. |
| Technology | We use Everbility note taker during sessions. This helps us pay more attention to you and our conversation, instead of writing notes by hand. The note taker writes down (transcribes) what is said during the session and creates a summary. The psychologist then checks and edits this summary to make sure it is correct. Only the summary is saved in your file in Splose. The full word-for-word transcript is not saved. The audio recording of the session is never saved. We may also send you questionnaires or screeners using a secure system called NovoPsych. These help us better understand your needs and monitor your progress. This process helps us keep better records while making sure your privacy is protected. |
| Email is not for emergencies: Use phone for urgent issues. Emails are part of your file: They will be kept for at least 7 years, or until you turn 25 if you are under 18. Automated Appointment reminders will be emailed 5 and 3 days prior to appointments via Splose. Other communication via email may take place, such as GP letters. Risks of Email: Emails can be sent to the wrong person by mistake, can be opened by other people, or read by others. Backup copies may exist even after you delete them. Employers and online services can read your emails. What you need to do: Tell us if your email address changes. Do not use email for urgent or very private things. Protect your email password. Contact us by phone/text if you don’t get a reply to your email. | |
| Fees | The fee is $230 per session. Payment is required at the time of your session, unless other arrangements have been made. Please advise prior to sessions if payment is through a Third Party (such as NDIS) If you have private health insurance or Medicare, you might get some money back. Medicare Rebates: require a current a referral and Mental Health treatment Plan (maximum 10 session per calendar year). |
| Cancelling Appointments | If you need to cancel, please give at least 48 hours’ notice. No fee will be charged when provided 48 hours’ notice. If you miss an appointment or cancel late, you will be charged the full fee. However, the psychologist may reduce this fee depending on your situation. Any outstanding fees must be paid before your next session. |
| Emergencies | In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital or call 000. You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for help. Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 Children’s Health Queensland – 07 3068 2555 – available 24 hours a day for children, young people, their families, and carers. |
| Consent | By signing this form, you agree to the sessions and the fees. You can ask questions at any time. |
| Agreement | I have read and understood the above consent form provided by (Bronwyn Smith) and have asked any questions I needed to. I agree with the psychological service provided and the associated fee I am required to pay. |