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INNER SPACE Clinical Psychology
Frequently asked questions
The clinic is open Monday to Friday for enquiries.
Appointments are available Tuesday to Friday, including some evening sessions, and are by appointment only.
Get in touch if you have any questions about availability.
Yes, you can attend your session:
• Online via telehealth
• In person at the clinic
You can also switch between online and in-person sessions. Just let us know before your appointment and we’ll update it for you.
The length of therapy depends on your goals and the challenges you’re addressing.
Typical treatment timelines:
• For a single, well-defined issue, most people see sustainable improvement within 12–18 sessions.
• Some concerns improve more quickly, while complex or long-standing difficulties may take longer.
To help you get the most out of therapy, we usually plan an initial course of around 12 sessions and review progress regularly. Your therapist will check in on how therapy is going and whether the approach and pace are working for you.
Why completing therapy matters:
• Giving therapy enough time helps create lasting change.
• Stopping early which may make it feel like therapy didn’t help when it simply needed more time.
Research shows that regular attendance is key for effective outcomes.
Recommended session frequency:
• Weekly sessions are generally recommended at the start of treatment to maintain progress and momentum.
• Fortnightly sessions may be suitable once skills are established or goals are being consolidated.
Your therapist can discuss the frequency that best supports your goals, adjusting as needed to maximise outcomes.
Why frequency of sessions matters:
• Attending less than fortnightly or skipping sessions can slow progress or reduce results, which may make it feel like therapy didn’t help when it simply needed more time.
Your therapist can talk you through this on the intake call or at the first appointment.
No. You can book an appointment without a referral.
However, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions per calendar year if your GP or psychiatrist provides a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral letter.
• With a Mental Health Treatment Plan: You can claim Medicare rebates for eligible sessions (read on for information about the rebates).
• Without a referral: You are welcome to self-refer and book directly.
You can make an appointment by phone, email, or online. If you're unsure whether you need a referral, we’re happy to help guide you.
We aim to keep our fees transparent so you can make an informed decision about investing in your mental health.
A 60-minute session costs $250.
If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral from your GP or psychiatrist, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $145.25 per session (up to 10 sessions per calendar year).
Typical cost breakdown:
• Session fee: $250
• Medicare rebate: $145.25
• Out-of-pocket cost: $104.75
Our fees reflect the high-quality, evidence-based care we provide. To help therapy remain accessible, we keep our fees around 20–30% lower than the fees recommended by the Australian Psychological Society ($318 for a 50-minute session) and the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc ($330 for a 40–60 minute session).
Please note, we do not offer bulk-billed appointments.
If you’re unsure about Medicare rebates or how to get a Mental Health Treatment Plan, we’re happy to guide you. You can contact us anytime.
We understand that starting therapy can feel like a significant financial investment. Your mental health is invaluable, and investing in treatment now can have lasting benefits for your wellbeing, relationships, and work life.
Here are some ways to make therapy more manageable:
• Review your budget: You may find discretionary spending that could be redirected to support your psychological wellbeing.
• Stretch Medicare rebates: Since most treatment takes more than 10 sessions, some clients choose to claim every second session to extend the benefit. Other smaller Medicare schemes may also support mental health care.
• Private health insurance rebates: If you have cover, you may be eligible for rebates. Check with your insurer about session limits and amounts covered. (Remember: Medicare and private health insurance rebates cannot be claimed for the same session.)
• Discuss financial concerns with your therapist: Openly sharing any financial stress or unexpected changes during treatment helps your therapist support you in planning care that works for your situation.
By taking steps to include mental health in your financial planning, you can make regular therapy a sustainable and valuable part of your life.
For Referrers
Information for Referrers
From 1 November 2025, patients must have both:
• A current Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) or Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan, and
• A separate referral letter that includes all required information. See next FAQ.
Without both documents, your patient may not receive the Medicare rebate for services provided under the Better Access Initiative.
Referral and can be provided by post, email, fax, or by the patient.
Please get in touch if we can assist.
The referral letter must clearly include the following information.
Confirmation of plan
1. Confirmation that a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) or Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan has been prepared
2. The number of sessions being referred (the “course of treatment”)
Referrer details
1. Your name
2. Signature
3. Medicare provider number
4. Date of referral (the patient becomes eligible for the rebate from this date)
Patient details
1. Patient name, date of birth, and address
2. Diagnosis or presenting symptoms
3. Current medication
Let us know if you have any questions. We'd be happy to help.
Under the Better Access Initiative, sessions are referred in courses of treatment within each calendar year.
• Initial course of treatment: Up to 6 sessions
• Subsequent course of treatment: Usually 4 additional sessions
• Maximum total: 10 sessions per calendar year.
Note: A patient must still return to their GP after the 6th session for assessment of their eligibility for the additional 4 sessions in the calendar year.
• Session limits reset each calendar year.
• For example, if a patient used 6 sessions in the previous calendar year, they can still be referred for up to 6 sessions for the initial course of treatment in the new calendar year.
No. Referrals do not expire. Any unused sessions remain valid for the number of sessions originally stated in the referral.
However, rolled-over sessions count toward the new year’s annual limit of 10 sessions under the Better Access Initiative.
If a patient does not use all sessions in one year, the remaining sessions can be used in the next calendar year, but they count toward that year’s maximum of 10 sessions.
Example:
• Year 1: Patient uses 8 sessions from a referral for 10.
• Year 2: The remaining 2 sessions are used first.
• The GP can then make a new referral for an initial course of 6 sessions.
• If more treatment is needed, a subsequent referral for 2 more sessions can be made to reach the 10-session annual cap.
No. A patient may continue on the same Mental Health Treatment Plan indefinitely.
A new plan is only required if:
• There is a significant change in the patient’s circumstances, or
• The patient transfers to a new GP.
MHTPs and referrals may be prepared by
• By the patient's usual GP
• By a psychiatrist;
• By a prescribed medical practitioner or practice; or
• At the MyMedicare-registered practice where the patient is enrolled.
From 1 November 2025, the previous MHTP review items have been abolished.
Instead, clinicians use time-tiered professional attendance items (for example, item 2713) for:
• Referrals
• Reviews
• Ongoing mental health care
Specific item numbers depend on the time spent and whether the GP has completed specific mental health skills training.
If you would like more detail, or our understanding of the requirements differs, you may find the following official information from the Australian Government’s Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) helpful.
• Better Access changes from 1 Nov 2025(https://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/Factsheet-Better+Access+changes+from+1+November+2025)
• Better Access Initiative outline(https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=note&q=AN.0.78)
• Referral requirements(https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=note&q=MN.6.3)
• Provision of therapy(https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=note&q=MN.6.2)
• GP Mental Health Standards Collaboration FAQs(https://gpmhsc.org.au/guidelinessection/index/ea6d3af3-e807-4630-84dd-4f9e35358d58/frequently-asked-questions-faqs-medicare-benefits)
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