Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and understand what has brought you to therapy. During this session, your clinician will: • Ask questions about your current concerns and goals • Explore relevant background information (such as family, school/work, health, and previous supports) • Discuss what you would like to get out of therapy • Answer any questions you may have about the process We understand that starting therapy can feel a little daunting. Our clinicians aim to create a calm, respectful, and neuroaffirming space where you can share at your own pace. By the end of the session, you and your clinician will usually discuss next steps and the recommended frequency for ongoing sessions.

Standard therapy sessions with a psychologist are 50 minutes. Support officer or youth mentor sessions in clinic, via telehealth, or home visits may vary from 60 to 90minutes. Assessment sessions may vary, see our Assessments page for further information.

Yes, we offer individual therapy for children aged six years and over.

Psychology sessions are confidential, which means the information you share is kept private. There are some legal exceptions to confidentiality, such as when: • there is a risk of serious harm to you or someone else • information is required by law • you provide consent for information to be shared Your psychologist will explain confidentiality and answer any questions during your first session. All personal information gathered during the provision of the psychological service will remain confidential and secure.

Our team includes a range of professionals who provide different types of support. Clinical Psychologists Clinical Psychologists have completed additional postgraduate training in clinical psychology. They often work with more complex mental health presentations and diagnostic assessments, and Medicare rebates are typically higher for sessions with a Clinical Psychologist. Registered Psychologists Registered Psychologists are fully qualified psychologists who provide therapy, assessments, and psychological support. Provisional Psychologists Provisional Psychologists are psychologists completing advanced training while working under the supervision of a clinical psychologist. They provide therapy while further developing their professional skills. Therapeutic Youth Mentors and Family Support Officers These practitioners focus on practical, strengths-based support for young people and families. This may include mentoring, skill building, emotional support, and helping young people develop confidence and wellbeing in everyday life.

You do not need a referral to book an appointment with A Mind of Your Own. However, if you would like to access Medicare rebates for sessions with a Clinical or Registered Psychologist, you will need a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) and referral from a GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician. If you would like to see a specific psychologist, you can ask your GP to include their name on your Mental Health Treatment Plan referral. If the referral is written more generally (for example, to the practice rather than a specific clinician), our admin team can still help match you with an appropriate practitioner based on your needs and availability.

At A Mind of Your Own, we use a neuroaffirming approach, which recognises that neurodiversity is a natural and valuable part of human variation. Rather than focusing on “fixing” differences, our approach aims to: • understand how your brain works • support your strengths • develop strategies that work for you • build self-understanding and confidence Our goal is to help people live in ways that feel sustainable, authentic, and aligned with their values.

The length of therapy varies depending on each person’s goals and needs. Some people attend for a small number of sessions to focus on a specific issue, while others benefit from longer-term support. Your practitioner will regularly review progress with you and adjust the plan as needed.

Wait times can vary depending on practitioner availability and the type of service you are seeking. Therapy appointments may become available sooner, while diagnostic assessments often have longer wait times due to limited availability. If you contact our team, we can: • Let you know current wait times for each practitioner. • Book your appointments in advance or add you to a waitlist if needed. • Book ad hoc or reduced frequency appointments where appropriate while you wait your preferred frequency. • Recommend an alternative practitioner or supplementary service where appropriate.

Yes. Practitioners can sometimes provide supporting letters or complete forms for schools, workplaces, or services such as the NDIS. Reports may be used to: • apply for school supports • request university adjustments • access workplace accommodations • support NDIS applications or reviews Your clinician can discuss what type of documentation may be most helpful for your situation. However, documentation usually requires: • adequate clinical knowledge of your situation • time to review information and prepare the document In some cases, an assessment or several therapy sessions may be needed before a practitioner can provide documentation. Additional fees will apply for completing forms, writing letters, or preparing reports outside of standard appointments. Your practitioner or our admin team can discuss this with you if needed.

For younger children, parents or caregivers are often involved in the therapy process. Depending on the child’s age and goals, this may include: • joint sessions with the parent and child • parent-only sessions to discuss strategies • a mix of individual and family sessions Your practitioner will discuss the most helpful approach based on your child’s needs.

You are welcome to request a specific practitioner if you have a preference. Our team will also help match you with a practitioner based on: • the concerns you would like support with • your preferred appointment times and practitioner availability • the practitioners experience and approach

Some practitioners offer Telehealth appointments via secure video platforms or phone calls. Telehealth can be helpful for: • clients living in regional areas • people with busy schedules • those who prefer to attend sessions from home Not all services are suitable for Telehealth, so our team or your practitioner can advise what is possible.

Our practitioners work with children, adolescents, and adults. Some practitioners specialise in particular age groups or areas of practice. When you contact us, we can help connect you with a practitioner who is the best fit for your needs.

Yes. You are welcome to bring a support person to your appointment if it helps you feel more comfortable. For assessments, a support person may sometimes provide helpful background information, particularly during developmental history interviews.

Feeling nervous before your first appointment is very common. Your practitioner understands that starting therapy can feel vulnerable, and the first session is simply a conversation to understand your experiences and goals. You are always welcome to go at your own pace and ask questions about the process.

If you are running late, please let us know as soon as possible by texting us on 0402 436 869. Your practitioner will do their best to see you when you arrive; however, your session may need to be shortened so the next appointment can start on time. The full appointment fee will still apply.

A Mind of Your Own is NOT a crisis service. If you are an existing client and need support sooner than your next appointment, please contact our admin team and we can check for earlier availability. If you need urgent mental health support, it is important to contact an appropriate crisis service or attend your nearest emergency department. Please reach out to your GP, social worker, and/or these emergency services if you need immediate support: ​ • Police, Fire, Ambulance (Emergency) - ph 000 • Lifeline - ph 13 11 14, txt 0477 13 11 14 • Suicide Call Back Service (18y+) - ph 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackserviceorg.au(http://www.suicidecallbackserviceorg.au) • Mental Health Triage - ph 13 14 65 • Beyond Blue - ph 1300 224 636 or www.beyondblue.org.au(http://www.beyondblue.org.au) • Kids Helpline (5-25y and their parents/carers) - ph 1800 55 1800 • Domestic Violence Gateway Service - ph 1800 800 09 • DV Connect - ph 1800 811 811 • Child Abuse Report Line - ph 13 14 78 • 1800 Respect - ph 1800 737 732 or www.1800respect.org.au(http://www.1800respect.org.au)

To enquire about an assessment, you can complete the enquiry form on our website or contact our admin team via email to admin@amindofyourown.com.au(mailto:admin@amindofyourown.com.au) When you enquire, we will ask for some brief information such as: • Who the assessment is for (adult or child) • The type of assessment you are interested in (e.g. Autism or ADHD) • A short description of your concerns or goals Once we receive your enquiry, we will: • Contact you to discuss your needs • Confirm the most appropriate assessment pathway • Provide information about fees, availability, and next steps Assessment appointments typically involve several steps, which may include interviews, questionnaires, observations, and psychometric testing, followed by a comprehensive report and feedback session.

We offer a range of diagnostic and psychological assessments, including: • Autism assessments • ADHD assessments • Dual diagnostic assessments (with a Psychologist and Speech Pathologist) • NDIS autism review assessments • Parenting capacity and family assessments Assessments help develop a deeper understanding of how someone thinks, learns, and experiences the world, and can support access to services, accommodations, and strategies.

Many people seek an assessment when they want a clearer understanding of their experiences, strengths, and challenges. An assessment may be helpful if you: • suspect ADHD or Autism • want diagnostic clarification • need documentation for supports or accommodations • are seeking greater self-understanding If you're unsure whether an assessment is appropriate, our team can discuss your situation and guide you through your options.

After your assessment is completed, you will usually attend a feedback session with your clinician. During this session, your clinician will: • explain the results of the assessment • discuss whether diagnostic criteria are met • answer any questions you may have • provide recommendations for supports, strategies, or services You will also receive a written report summarising the findings.

Assessment fees are payable in three stages: • A $100 deposit is required to secure your appointment • 50% of your assessment fee is due 7 days prior to your assessment • The remaining 50% of your assessment fee is due upon completion of the assessment report and prior to its release. An invoice will be sent via email with payment instructions. Payments via credit card will incur a surcharge. Payments via bank transfer prior to the due date will not incur a surcharge. PayPal pay in 4 may appear for eligible clients when selecting online card payment option.

We kindly request at least 7 business days notice for cancellations or reschedules. ​ Cancellations and rescheduling of appointments with less than 7 days notice will incur a cancellation fee equal to 50% of the assessment fee. ​ A cancellation policy is set in place, which reflects the time that your psychologist sets aside for your assessment appointment. Your cancellation notice would be much appreciated, as this can enable us to provide services to other clients who may be in need of an urgent appointment. Extenuating circumstances may apply. Please note: Medicare, Private Health Funds and insurers do not reimburse or provide rebates for cancellations or missed appointments resulting in a cancellation fee.

Assessment reports are completed after all assessment appointments have been finished and the clinician has had time to review the results. The time frame can vary depending on: • the type of assessment • the complexity of the case • the clinician’s report-writing schedule In most cases, reports are provided within several weeks of the final assessment session. Your clinician will give you a more specific time frame during the assessment process.

The cost of psychology appointments varies depending on the clinician you see and the type of appointment. • Clinical Psychologists - from $280 per hour • Registered Psychologists - from $240 per hour • Provisional Psychologists - from $160 per hour If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions with a Clinical or Registered Psychologist each calendar year. Assessment fees are different from therapy sessions as they involve multiple appointments, testing materials, scoring, and a detailed report. Our team will provide a clear quote and fee structure before booking an assessment.

Some Private Health companies cover psychology services. The rebate amount depends on your Private Health provider and your level of coverage. We encourage you to check with your individual provider to determine what rebates you will receive prior to attending your session.

Medicare rebates are accessed with a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) and referral from a medical practitioner, psychiatrist, or paediatrician. You may be eligible for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. With a valid MHTP, a Medicare rebate of $145.25 is available for sessions with a Clinical Psychologist. With a valid MHTP, a Medicare rebate of $98.95 is available for sessions with a Registered Psychologist.

Payment for appointments is required on the day of your session. This allows us to process Medicare rebates (if applicable) and ensures appointments run smoothly for all clients. Payments are processed securely through our practice management system, Halaxy, via credit/debit card. For NDIS plan managed clients, invoices are sent to your plan manager. If you have any questions about fees or payment arrangements, please feel free to contact our team before your appointment.

We kindly request at least 48 business hours’ notice for cancellations or reschedules. ​ Cancellations and rescheduling of appointments with less than 48 hours' notice will incur a full cancellation fee equal to 100% of the session fee. ​ A cancellation policy is set in place, which reflects the time that your psychologist sets aside for your appointment. Your cancellation notice would be much appreciated, as this can enable us to provide services to other clients who may be in need of an urgent appointment. Extenuating circumstances may apply. Please note: Medicare, Private Health Funds and insurers do not reimburse or provide rebates for cancellations or missed appointments resulting in a cancellation fee.

Appointments are scheduled specifically for each client and cannot usually be filled at short notice. Late cancellations or missed appointments mean that another client may miss the opportunity to access support during that time. Cancellation policies help ensure appointments are used effectively and allow our practitioners to manage their schedules fairly.

If you miss your appointment without notifying us, it will be recorded as a missed appointment. Missed appointments will incur the full session fee, as the appointment time has been reserved specifically for you. If you realise you are unable to attend, please contact us as soon as possible. Even if it is close to the appointment time, letting us know allows our team to assist you and potentially reschedule.

Yes. If you provide at least 48 business hours’ notice, you can reschedule your appointment without a cancellation fee. Reschedules are not guaranteed and are subject to practitioner availability.

With a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year. Typically: • an initial referral provides access to the first 6 sessions • your GP may review your progress and provide a referral for up to 4 additional sessions Medicare rebates are processed after full payment for your appointment if you have a valid referral and plan in place.

The cost of appointments varies depending on the practitioner you see and the length/type of appointment. • Family Support Officer & Youth Mentor - from $110 per hour

Yes, we work with NDIS participants depending on the type of plan and support required. Clients may access services through: • Self-managed plans • Plan-managed plans Our team can discuss whether our services are suitable for your NDIS plan and support needs.

Assessment reports can sometimes be used as supporting evidence for NDIS access requests or plan reviews. If you are seeking an assessment specifically for NDIS purposes, please let us know when you enquire so we can ensure the assessment process and documentation meet relevant requirements.