No. A referral is not required to see a psychologist privately. However, if you wish to claim Medicare rebates, you will need a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral from a GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician. Additional information about Medicare rebates can be found on the Fees and Funding page.

If you have other professionals involved in your support, you may choose to provide consent for them to share relevant information with me to help ensure I have a comprehensive understanding of your needs.

Many parents are understandably unsure whether telehealth is the right fit for their child, particularly if they are younger or have support needs that may affect their attention, engagement, or communication. While telehealth may not be suitable for every situation, many parents are surprised by how well some children as young as 5 years old can engage in telehealth sessions.

For children who prefer to be active and on the move, sessions can be adapted to suit their needs and interests. This may include incorporating movement, play-based activities, or a combination of child-focused work and parent discussion within the same session.

Some benefits of telehealth include:

• Accessing support from a familiar and comfortable space
• Opportunities for some children and young people to share their interests and engage more naturally in therapy
• No travel time
• Greater flexibility around work, school, and family commitments

We can discuss whether it is likely to be a good fit for your child during the initial appointment.

Many people attend sessions fortnightly, although weekly or monthly sessions may be more appropriate depending on individual needs and circumstances.

We can discuss the most appropriate frequency during the first appointment and adjust this over time as needs change.