FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

At CALMA health, we get asked a lot of questions(which we encourage).

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions and answers. Please feel free to ask as many questions that you can, or seek clarification to ensure you have a clear understanding of our services.

PAYMENT & REBATES

  • To claim your Medicare rebate, simply open the Medicare app and press make a claim. This can also be done through the MyGov app. Enter the information from the receipt you received after your session with our team. You must enter the provider number for the practitioner who completed your session as well as the referring provider number, and date from your original referral. Upload a photo of your invoice and payment receipt and submit. For more information visit Medicare

  • The cost of a psychological assessment will vary based on the type and complexity of the assessment. Our team will provide a quote prior to your initial appointment and all fees and charges will be explained and discussed with you.

  • An invoice will be provided after each session. The next appointment will not occur until all accounts are up to date. Please note, final payment will be required before your feedback session. Payments can be made by direct debit.

    Any payments made by credit card will incur a 2% service fee.

  • If you are self-managed, payment is required on the day of appointment. If you are plan managed, an invoice will be provided to your Plan Manager for payment. If you are NDIA managed, invoices will be submitted to the NDIA for payment. 


    Should your NDIS plan be exhausted, you will be responsible for payment of the account, at the time of your appointment. Please be aware we do not hold billing under any circumstances, so it is the individual’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of funding prior to booking any services with Calma Health.

THERAPY

  • Your first session is based around setting expectations and building trust between you and your therapist. Doing some research and planning before your session can help give you a sense of calm and help you work out what outcomes you would like to work towards. You can’t know if the therapist is going to be a good fit for you and your goals until you meet them, so it is important to be aware of your goals in order to assess whether the therapist is right for you. 


    In saying this, you do not need to prepare anything if you are not too sure what you want to work on. The most important thing to bring to your session is an open mind and your therapist will guide you through the process.


    Generally, it can take around 3 sessions to establish your concerns, review your history, get to know your therapist and set some goals for therapy so allow this time to figure out whether or not the therapist you have chosen is right for you. 

    Your therapist will ask you some questions to start. 

    These might include:

    • What brought you to seek therapy?

    • What do you hope to get out of therapy?

    • Do you have any accessibility or learning needs or preferences? 

    • Are there any worries or concerns you have about therapy?

    • Would you like to share any information about your current concerns, circumstances and past experiences?

    They may also ask you to complete one or more questionnaires to help them better understand your presentation. 

    You don’t have to share everything, you have control over what information you choose to share, and the pace at which you share. Our priority is creating an environment in which you feel safe and empowered.

    By the end of the first or second session you and your therapist usually will set some goals, and outline a plan for achieving these. Your therapist may also give you one or more strategies to start practicing at home.

    If you’re unsure about anything, it’s ok to ask questions at any time. We encourage feedback and questions. 

    Remember, we’re here to support you.

  • A lot of this depends on why you’re attending therapy. This varies from person to person and can change at different times in your life. To develop an understanding of what brought you to therapy your therapist may ask you questions about:

     

    • Your current and past relationships

    • Your childhood and family upbringing

    • Past experiences and significant life events

    • Situations or events you find difficult

    • How you feel

    • How you behave

    • What you think about things

    • Concerns that have come up in previous sessions

    • What your experience with therapy has been in the past

      It is important to remember that you don’t have to talk about anything you’re not ready to talk about or do anything you don’t want to do.

  • Finding the right professional or professionals and finding the right kind of treatment and support is a fine balance. What has worked well for someone else may not work for you.  It’s important to keep in mind there are many different techniques therapists use and they can all offer different benefits. 

    Here is a list of things you can do to get the most out of therapy 


    Remember that mental health is complex and that it is not your fault if the help you’ve accessed hasn’t worked so far. Many different kinds of treatment are available. Even if it takes some trial-and-error, it’s important to remember that it’s possible for you to find the right support.


    Remember you can ask to see a new therapist if you don’t think the one you’re working with is the right fit for you. We want you to feel comfortable and safe in every session.

  • Yes, parental involvement is often an essential component of children’s therapy. Parents or caregivers play a crucial role in supporting their child’s therapeutic progress and implementing strategies learned in therapy into the child’s daily life. Therapists may include parents in sessions, provide guidance on parenting techniques, offer suggestions for promoting emotional well-being at home and in school or extra curricular activities.

  • It is more cost effective to see a psychiatrist/paediatrician for an ADHD assessment, as they are able to conduct their own assessments and diagnose. A psychology assessment is not required to see the psychiatrist/paediatrician, however a psychiatrist/paediatrician may recommend further testing with a psychologist. However a referral from your GP to a psychiatrist/paediatrician is required.

  • We currently service the Gold Coast and Wide Bay Burnett area, however we also travel to rural and remote locations from Northern NSW through Brisbane and up to Bundaberg, where needed and possible.

  • In most cases, you do not need a referral from a doctor, GP or specialist to undergo a psychological assessment. However, in order to claim a Medicare rebate, utilise NDIS funding or make a claim with selected insurance providers or specific services , a referral is required.

  • To claim your Medicare rebate, simply open the Medicare app and press make a claim. This can also be done through the MyGov app. Enter the information from the receipt you received after your session with our team. You must enter the provider number for the practitioner who completed your session as well as the referring provider number, and date from your original referral. Upload a photo of your invoice and payment receipt and submit. For more information visit Medicare

  • To find out more about mental healthcare plans please follow this link

  • Any existing supportive evidence that is related to your assessment is helpful.

    This may include, but is not limited to:

    • Previous reports from other medical professionals will assist with your assessment

    • School report cards

    • If you are not sure, please ask at the time of booking

  • The cost of a psychological assessment will vary based on the type and complexity of the assessment. Our team will provide a quote prior to your initial appointment and all fees and charges will be explained and discussed with you.

  • An invoice will be provided after each session. The next appointment will not occur until all accounts are up to date. Please note, final payment will be required before your feedback session. Payments can be made by direct debit.

    Any payments made by credit card will incur a 2% service fee.

ASSESSMENT

  • It is more cost effective to see a psychiatrist/paediatrician for an ADHD assessment, as they are able to conduct their own assessments and diagnose. A psychology assessment is not required to see the psychiatrist/paediatrician, however a psychiatrist/paediatrician may recommend further testing with a psychologist. However a referral from your GP to a psychiatrist/paediatrician is required.

  • We currently service the Gold Coast and Wide Bay Burnett area, however we also travel to rural and remote locations from Northern NSW through Brisbane and up to Bundaberg, where needed and possible.

  • In most cases, you do not need a referral from a doctor, GP or specialist to undergo a psychological assessment. However, in order to claim a Medicare rebate, utilise NDIS funding or make a claim with selected insurance providers or specific services , a referral is required.

  • A psychological assessment is a structured process in which a qualified psychologist evaluates an individual’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioural functioning. It involves various tests, interviews, and observations to gain insights into a person’s mental health, strengths, and challenges.

  • There are several reasons for seeking a psychological assessment, including diagnosing mental health conditions, understanding learning difficulties, and assessing cognitive functioning.

  • The duration of an assessment can vary depending on its purpose and complexity. However this will be discussed with you as part of the booking process.

  • We offer a range of assessments, including neuropsychological assessments, psycho-educational assessments, learning and cognitive assessments, diagnostic assessments and more. Our assessments are tailored to meet your specific needs.

CLINIC

  • We are open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5pm. All appointments must be made with our reception and admin team who will ensure that you can be seen at a time that is most suitable for you. 

    Whilst do not currently offer weekend appointments - some group programs may run on weekends.

  • It is your responsibility to keep track of your appointments, and we recommend that you input your appointments into your calendar at the time they are made. Our team will send you an appointment confirmation email at the time of booking. 

    You should receive a reminder of your appointment via text/SMS 48 hours prior to your appointment. 

    Please note that a confirmation response to your appointment reminder is required 48hrs prior to your appointment. Failure to do so will result in the full appointment charge being applied, even if you do not attend.

    Please note this is a courtesy service only and can be impacted by technological difficulties and staff absences. As such, it remains your responsibility to attend appointments and the absence of a text/SMS reminder will not lead to fees being waived if you do not attend. Please see our cancellation policy for details. 

  • If you are unable to attend, please let our team know as soon as possible. This gives us the opportunity to offer the appointment to someone else as sessions are in high demand. 

     

    If you don’t get through to reception directly, please send an email noting your/the client’s full name and the date and time of the appointment/s you need to reschedule. 

    Rescheduling within 24 hours of your appointment will incur a fee.

  • Switching to a telehealth (video or phone) appointment is usually an option. Please call our admin team to discuss this. 

  • The information that you share with your psychologist is confidential i.e., it will not be provided to anyone else. Your psychologist will write notes on your session and these notes form part of your patient records. There are limits to confidentiality:

    1. If you tell your psychologist that you are thinking of harming yourself or someone else, your psychologist as a duty of care to keep you and others safe. This may mean breaking confidentiality to notify the relevant people to ensure your safety.

    2. If a court subpoenas your records, your psychologist must comply, however this will be discussed with you, where possible.

    3. If your therapist seeks supervision on your case – in this instance, identifying information (e.g., your name), will remain confidential.

    4. If you have been referred by your GP with a Mental Health Care Plan, your psychologist is required by Medicare to report back to your GP on your treatment progress. 

  • What is Psychologist AI-Note-Taking?

    To streamline your appointments, many psychologists have opted for AI-assisted note-taking. AI captures details of your discussions accurately and efficiently, allowing psychologists to focus more on your communication and provide higher quality care during sessions. By reducing manual note-taking distractions, AI enhances the care you receive and supports the psychological note-taking process effectively.

    Is Your Consent Required for AI Note-Taking?

    Your consent is essential before your psychologist can utilize AI technology. They will discuss it with you prior to signing the Consent Form, available in PDF below. Different psychologists may use various AI platforms; please contact the Administrators for guidance on which Consent Form to sign. By signing the AI Consent Form, you agree to the audio of your sessions being transcribed for generating session summaries. Please ensure you understand the information provided in the Consent Form before signing it.

    Do the AI platforms have security?

    The following Consent Forms are provided by Novopsyh, an AI platform that claims to comply with Australia's Privacy Principles, AHPRA and HIPAA standards, and industry encryption and security protocols. Should your psychologist suggest other AI note-taking methods, please discuss your questions with them and ensure you understand the information provided before signing any Consent Form. Remember, your consent is vital for the use of such technology, and it's essential to thoroughly understand the terms and conditions outlined in the Consent Form before agreeing to them.

  • While Psychologists and Psychiatrists both treat mental health conditions, and often work together, there are significant differences between the two professions. 

    The main one being that Psychologists are Scientists and Psychiatrists are Doctors.

    1. Education and qualifications

    Psychologists study human behaviour in their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees before undertaking supervised practice and gaining registration. They do not have a medical degree; however, many have postgraduate qualifications in various aspects of psychology, including mental illness. Psychiatrists have a medical degree, which involves studying general medicine, followed by further study to specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and emotional problems.

    2. Services provided

    Psychologists assist people with everyday problems such as stress and relationship difficulties, and some specialise in treating people with a mental illness or disabitly. They help people to develop the skills needed to function better and to prevent ongoing problems. Psychiatrists treat the effects of emotional disturbances on the body and the effects of physical conditions on the mind.

    3. Prescribing medication

    Psychologists cannot prescribe medication. Their treatments are based on changing behaviour and emotional responses without medication. There is a considerable amount of evidence showing psychological treatments are effective. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication. Some combine medication with other forms of therapy.

  • There are two key differences between clinical psychologists and registered psychologists. The first key difference is their training. A registered psychologist has completed a board-approved six year sequence of education and training, whilst a clinical psychologist has completed an eight year sequence of board-approved education and training. The second key difference applies to clients who access psychological services under a mental health care plan referral. With this referral, a Registered Psychologist can provide focused psychological strategies to help with managing your problem. A Clinical Psychologist may also provide these strategies, however, under Medicare a Clinical Psychologist is able to practice psychotherapy – a type of therapy typically known as a “talking therapy” to assist with psychological and emotional change.