Please find below are series of frequently asked questions. If you are new to our services, you may find our Information for New Clients page useful. If you have additional questions, please call 1300 00R UOK (1300 007 865).
Do you have a HICAPS machine?
We have a HICAPS machine to provide instant rebates for clients with a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) or private health insurance. Further information can be found on our fees and rebates page.
I already have a referral and have seen another psychologist this year, can I use this?
Yes, however the GP or psychiatrist needs to change the referral name to Outlook Psychology Practice. He or she can either give the referral to you or email opreferrals@opgove.com.au
Please let our receptionist know if the GP is emailing to us so she can follow up if needed.
The Mental Health Care Plan is reviewed after the first 6 sessions, after which time you need to return to the GP for a review. So, if you have had 6 sessions with another psychologist then you will need to go to your GP to review care plan and change the name. A client’s care plan can be reviewed every 3 months and a new referral can be written every 12 months. It can be quite confusing so please call our receptionist to obtain clarification.
What benefits can I expect from counselling?
Often people come to counselling needing some kind of relief from their distress, or they may need coping strategies, or they may be confused about why they are feeling a certain way.
Counselling can provide all sorts of benefits:
- Clarity, reducing confusion and understanding symptoms
- Expressing thoughts and feelings, a sense of relief, feeling heard and understood
- Increasing self-awareness
- Improving emotional management
- Increasing communication skills
- Reducing isolation
- Changing negative habits of thinking, feeling and relating
- Learning social skills and improving relationships
- Developing strategies for feeling better about yourself
- Improving life satisfaction
Are appointments confidential?
Yes, every session is private and confidential, unless your consent is provided. Psychologists are bound by a Code of Ethics that outline the importance of confidentiality and the only exceptions where a breach is accepted. Non-acceptable breaches can result in serious consequences for the psychologist. Your psychologist will outline the exceptions of confidentiality in your first session and each psychologist keeps client notes and a file, which is kept secure.
What is a Psychologist?
Psychologists study the way people think, feel, act, and interact and are highly knowledgeable in human behaviour. A psychologist’s main aim is to reduce the distress or symptoms of their client and improve client wellbeing. Firstly, a psychologist is trained in diagnostic assessment skills and will develop a formulation for why the client is e.g. distressed or depressed or not coping. A psychologist is also trained to utilise and interpret a range of psychological tests in order assess the range of and extent of symptoms. Secondly a psychologist has knowledge of a range of therapy frameworks and will implement the appropriate and relevant techniques most suited to the client’s presenting issues and situation. A psychologist will typically have their areas of speciality or where they are most competent.
All psychologists are required to be legally registered with the Allied Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This means they must be competent and are required to follow a Code of Ethics. This ensures that you receive high quality psychological treatment.
If you have any queries about your psychologists qualifications, their areas of expertise or their ability to help in your concerns please discuss with your psychologist who would welcome your questions
What if I need to cancel my appointment?
Your appointment is reserved for you. Outlook Psychology Practice requires at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellations otherwise the full cost of the session is charged. We do recognise that on rare occasions unforeseen events can occur such as a sick child. Unfortunately, when appointments are cancelled at short notice, we are rarely able to succeed in offering that appointment to another waiting client. As there is a waiting list, at least 48 hours’ notice is preferred and appreciated. SMS reminders are sent 24 hours prior to your appointment time; please respond to confirm your appt.
How many sessions will I require?
This is a difficult question to answer and is dependent on a range of factors. However generally speaking, if you are motivated and committed to making changes you can expect improvements within 6 sessions. For a more specific discussion about your prognosis please ask your psychologist who can outline the factors relevant to you.
What happens if there is no change during therapy?
If there is no change from your psychological treatment this is usually because of one or more of the following reasons:
Firstly there needs to be strong client-psychologist relationship where you feel safe, heard, and understood. You also need to perceive the psychologist is professional, generally like them as a person and feel a sense of confidence that they can help you.
Secondly you may not feel ready or motivated to change. People come to us quite invested in their current behaviours however also pained by them. This means that it can be quite common people are ambivalent about change or ‘contemplative’ where you recognise something is a problem however your not ready to change it (for various reasons you can explore with your psychologist).
Thirdly the case formulation may have missed something significant and/or you may not have disclosed everything about your concerns. And/or the subsequent choice of therapy may not be suitable to your presenting symptoms or coping problems.
Regardless of the reason, if you feel your therapy is progressing too slow or not meeting your expectations please discuss it with your psychologist who would seek to explore with you the possibilities and seek to rectify it as soon as possible; a final option may be referral to another psychologist who may simply be a better match for you.
Where are you located?
We are based in Nhulunbuy, NT. To find us on the map, please click here.
If you have any further questions that we have been unable to answer, please call us on 1300 00R UOK (1300 007 865) or contact us here.
