Green Moss Psychology is a practice committed to working alongside our clients to find solutions and provide supports that are effective and evidence-based. Our therapy and assessment approaches are based on well-developed psychological theories and have established effectiveness for supporting good mental health. The decision around which approach is used will depend on the nature of the issue and your preference.
If, at any point, it is determined that your concerns lie outside our clinician’s area of expertise, we will assist you in finding the most appropriate service for referral.
Contacting us for the first time
When you first contact the practice, please provide your name, mobile number, and email address, as well as a short description of the support you are seeking. This information ensures a clear understanding of your concerns and how best we can support you.
Your enquiry will be responded to via email or a phone call (depending on the contact information you provide) and an initial conversation will assist in determining whether we are the best fit for you.
You do not need a referral in order to book or access an appointment at our practice. However, most clients are eligible to receive a rebate from Medicare and present with a referral letter (addressed to Green Moss Psychology and/or your practitioner) and a Mental Health Treatment Plan from their GP.
Therapy consultations typically last 50 minutes although the initial consultation is 80 minutes. They can be conducted in-person or via telehealth (video).
The duration of an assessment will be variable, depending on the diagnostic question being explored. This will be discussed and determined on an individual basis.
Initial Session
The aim of the initial assessment session is to develop a shared understanding of your concerns and difficulties, as well as your goals and expectations. You will be invited to share information about your concerns, symptoms, history, current stressors, and strategies that have or have not worked in the past. This session is conducted in a collaborative manner and at a pace comfortable for you. You may share as much or as little as you like, and you are encouraged to ask as many questions as needed along the way. At the end of the session, we can discuss treatment options, such as therapeutic approach and frequency of attendance.
Ongoing sessions
These sessions balance gaining insight and understanding with skill development. You are invited to begin each session with any concerns you would like to focus on. We might explore the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that are contributing to distress, and focus on these factors. We will also identify important values and beliefs which will support you to live a fulfilling life. New strategies will be introduced and practiced in session. Clients will be encouraged to then continue practicing these strategies between sessions in everyday contexts, which is important for progress.
Fees and Medicare Rebates
Please contact Green Moss Psychology for current prices for assessments or 50-minute therapy sessions.
You may be eligible to able to claim a rebate of $96.65 for a 50-minute consultation, up to a maximum of 10 sessions per calendar year, under the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative. To receive the rebate, you must be referred by a General Practitioner under the Better Access initiative.
Health Funds
The practice cannot process transactions with private health insurance providers directly, however after each session, you can organise rebates with your insurance provider. You will receive an invoice after each session that has all the information you need to assist with this process. Please check with your health fund regarding your exact cover. If you plan to use private health insurance for your treatment, you do not need a referral from your doctor.
Please note that you cannot claim from Medicare and your health fund for the same consultation.
Cancellation Fees
Although we hate to do this, late cancellations or missed appointments make it difficult to offer our services to other clients. Where possible, please notify us early of your need to reschedule an appointment and we will be happy to accommodate.
Should you cancel your appointments within 48 hours, you will be charged the following:
- Full fee for appointments cancelled by you with less than 24 hours’ notice
- 50% for appointments canceled by you with 24 to 48 hours’ notice
Please note that cancellation fees cannot be claimed through Medicare or your health fund.
Information for Doctors Referring Patients
If your doctor has referred you for treatment under the Better Access initiative, please read the following information:
Medicare compliance requirements when GPs refer their patients under the Better Access initiative:
It is mandatory and best practice for GPs to provide a referral letter when referring a patient for a psychological service. A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) alone is not considered a referral, and therefore not sufficient for the psychologist to provide a service. Green Moss Psychology would appreciate being provided with both the referral letter and MHTP, which can be emailed directly to the practice.
Information required in a referral or re-referral letter to meet Medicare compliance requirements:
There is no standard form for referral and re-referral letters, but the following information is required in the letter to meet the Medicare compliance requirements:
- Date of referral
- Client’s name
- Client’s date of birth
- Client’s address
- Diagnosis
- Request for services
- Number of sessions
- Referring practitioner’s name
- Referring practitioner’s provider number
- Referring practitioner’s signature
Medicare compliance requirements when GPs re-refer for additional courses of treatment:
The requirements for re-referrals for additional courses of treatment are similar to initial referrals. A re-referral letter is mandatory and requires the same information as listed above to meet the Medicare compliance requirements. A MHTP Review is not necessary for each re-referral but would be appreciated if it is provided to the treating psychologist.