Psychologist & Marriage Relationship FAQ in Brisbane
What is a psychologist?
What is a registered psychologist?
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
What’s the difference between a psychologist and a psychotherapist or counsellor?
What does seeing a psychologist involve?
If I or my child have a mental health problem, how can a psychologist help me?
What about confidentiality?
Can I go directly to a psychologist to receive treatment through Medicare?
Can I access any/all psychologists?
Can I request a referral to a specific psychologist or does my doctor have to choose?
If I am already seeing a psychologist, can I access Medicare benefits?
How many sessions with a psychologist am I entitled to?
What will it cost me?
How do I pay?
Does the Medicare Safety Net apply to my out-of-pocket expenses under this initiative?
What about my private health insurance?
What is a psychologist?
Psychologists study the way people feel, think, act and interact. Through a range of strategies and therapies they aim to reduce distress and to enhance and promote emotional wellbeing. Psychologists are experts in human behaviour, and have studied the brain, memory, learning and human development. Psychologists can assist people who are having difficulty controlling their emotions, thinking and behaviour, including those with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, serious and enduring mental illness, addictive behaviours and childhood behaviour disorders.
What is a registered psychologist?
All psychologists are legally required to register with the Psychologist Registration Board in their State or Territory, in the same way medical practitioners must be registered. This means that they must be competent and follow a strict Code of Conduct. Not all counsellors or therapists are registered psychologists. Seeing someone who is registered ensures you receive high quality ethical treatment.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in the treatment of mental illnesses, particularly those such as Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. Psychiatrists usually prescribe medication such as anti-depressants or anti-psychotics as part of their treatment.
Psychologists are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medication. Psychologists have usually trained for 6-8 years and can have a masters or doctorate in psychology with an arts or science background. They have special training in conducting assessments using psychometric instruments, and in providing treatments.
Psychological treatment typically involves ‘talking therapies’ designed to help people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, stress and work-related problems, life transitions and also people who have a been diagnosed with a mental illness. Depending upon what the issue is, some people will see both a psychologist and psychiatrist at the same time.
What’s the difference between a psychologist and a psychotherapist or counselor?
Psychologists have done extensive formal training (6-8 years) in psychology and have been trained to use scientific measures in their work. This means that they are often focussed on outcomes and using the most effective techniques for change available. Psychotherapists and counsellors have generally trained from 1-3 years and have a variety of backgrounds.
What does seeing a psychologist involve?
Consultations with an individual psychologist usually last for one hour. Work with a psychologist usually involves a period of assessment followed by a period of treatment. The length of time taken to complete the ‘therapy process’ is different depending upon the type of problem. This will be discussed with you.
In the initial assessment phase, psychologists try to gain a thorough understanding of the problem from your point of view. This may involve filling out questionnaires or monitoring forms. The treatment phase involves helping you to do things differently in order to help you feel better. All aspects of the process are collaborative, meaning that you participate and make active decisions about what goals you would like to achieve how you would like to participate.
If I or my child have a mental health problem, how can a psychologist help me?
Psychologists specialise in providing therapies for mental health problems. These therapies are effective at treating common mental health conditions including anxiety and depression and most childhood problems.
What about confidentiality?
Psychologists are bound by the Psychologists code of ethics. This can be found here www.aps.org.au. With regard to confidentiality at Your Psychology Clinic, all therapy discussions are confidential with the important exception that if you are at risk of harm from yourself or to someone else we may need to break confidentiality. The third limitation on confidentiality is in relation to court orders. Should any of these situations be relevant to you, your psychologist will discuss them with you.
Can I go directly to a psychologist to receive treatment through Medicare?
You must be referred by your GP, your psychiatrist or paediatrician. Your GP must first assess that you meet the eligibility requirements to receive psychological services and, with your agreement, must also complete an assessment and develop a plan for the management of your condition. You should book a longer session with your GP to enable time for this. Your GP then needs to decide whether you would benefit from the specific services that a psychologist can provide under Medicare, before referring you to a psychologist. If you would like to know more about whether you would be eligible for these services, you should discuss this with your GP.
Can I access any/all psychologists?
Under the Medicare scheme you can only see a registered psychologist with a Medicare Provider Number who you have been referred to by your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician. The psychologist may be a specialist clinical psychologist.
Can I request a referral to a specific psychologist or does my doctor have to choose?
Your doctor must first assess that you require the services of a psychologist. Your doctor may allow you to request a specific psychologist or may refer you to a psychologist that he/she recommends. The psychologist in question must be registered and have a Medicare Provider Number for you to be able to claim the Medicare rebate.
If I am already seeing a psychologist, can I access Medicare benefits?
In order to receive a Medicare rebate, you must be referred to a psychologist by an appropriate medical practitioner (GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician). The doctor must first make an assessment that you need the services of a psychologist. If you are already seeing a psychologist, discuss this with your doctor.
How many sessions with a psychologist am I entitled to?
Eligible patients can generally receive:
- Up to 12 individual services in a calendar year. Your referring doctor will assess your progress after the first six sessions.
- Up to 12 group therapy services in a calendar year where such services are available and seen as appropriate by your referring doctor and the psychologist.
What will it cost me?
The cost to you and the rebate available from Medicare will vary depending on the:
- Length of the session;
- Type of psychologist consulted – general or specialist clinical; and
- Fee being charged by the psychologist.
How do I pay?
The settlement of the account is your responsibility. You may claim a rebate by lodging a claim through Medicare. When billed you should pay the full amount of the consultation and use your detailed receipt to claim a Medicare rebate. The Early Intervention Group requires that all accounts are paid in full on the day of your consultation.
Does the Medicare Safety Net apply to my out-of-pocket expenses under this initiative?
Yes. You are responsible for paying any charges in excess of the Medicare rebate for items under this initiative. However, these out-of-pocket expenses will count towards both the original and the extended Medicare safety nets. Once you or your family reach the relevant threshold in the calendar year, Medicare benefits will increase to 100% of the schedule fee under the original safety net, and 80% of your total out-of-pocket expenses for out-of-hospital services under the extended Medicare safety net. The Medicare safety nets are designed to protect high users of health services from large out-of-pocket expenses.
What about my private health insurance?
You cannot use your private health insurance ancillary cover to top up the Medicare rebates for these services. You need to decide if you will use Medicare or your private health insurance ancillary cover to pay for psychological services you receive. You can either access rebates from Medicare by following the claiming process or claim where available on your insurer’s ancillary benefits.