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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No. You are able to see me as a private paying client. However, if you want to receive up to 10 individual and 10 group Medicare Rebated sessions per calendar year, you will need to book a long consult with your GP, obtain a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) and a referral letter. If you are pregnant or have been pregnant within the preceding 12-months, you can obtain a referral letter from your GP for Pregnancy Support Counselling giving you three Medicare Rebated sessions per pregnancy.
How long will it take to get an appointment?
If you have made contact with me or been referred by your GP, I will endaveour to contact you within one to three days via a phone call and followed up with an SMS. At the moment, I can see you within a week of receiving your referral. My preferred contact method is via email or SMS as I am able to respond between appointments and around caring for my children.
Do I have to have a baby to see you?
While my private practice has a strong focus on supporting women, mothers, fathers, parents/caregivers and young children in the Perinatal periods, I can support you no matter what stage of life you are currently at. If you think I might be a good fit for you, reach out.
What happens at an initial session?
First appointments are often information gathering and goal setting sessions. My initial sessions are 75 mins. The aim is to understand your history from a biological, psychological and social (Biopsychosocial) perspective. While additionally, gaining information about your current situation/stressors, who's in your village (friends, family and professionals) and identifying your goals of therapy and what you need from me.
When you book your first appointment, I get your email address and send out an online Client Details and Consent form - please ensure this is completed prior to your appointment. This reduces time at your initial session and we get to save trees!
At the end of your session, I will rebook your next appointment and take your full fee payment,. I will then process your Medicare Claim on my clinical software program, Powerdiary. Please allow a few days before Medicare processes the claim and provides your rebate in your nominated bank account.
What if I don't live in Yeppoon? Can I still see you?
Although I am based in Yeppoon, Central Queensland, with the help of technology, I can offer telehealth appointments to clients located anywehre across Australia. Growing up in a rural community myself, I am passionate about supporting rural, remote and isolated communities. Everyone deserves support and high quality services, no matter where they live. In the future, I would be interested in also providing quarterly face to face appointments to other Central Queensland communities should the demand and support be required.
What if I can't make my appointment?
Attune and Bloom has a cancellation policy. If you know you can't attend your next scheduled appointment, please give as much notice as possible so the appointment can be offered to someone else.
If you are sick and can't attend in person, consider requesting to changing your appointment to a telehealth instead.
If 24 hours notice is not provided, a 70% cancellation fee will be billed.. No further appointments will be booked until this fee has been paid.
I want to see you at my home, why is the fee higher?
Home visits are strictly for Perinatal (pregnancy and postpartum) clients ONLY!
Home visit fees are higher than in clinic appointments as Medicare provides a higher rebate for sessions professionals attend outside of clinic rooms - with the consideration of fuel, travel, time and clinical documentation. Therefore, the Medicare rebate for sessions outside clinic rooms is $105.55 versus a session in clinic rooms of $81.90. Therefore, while the cost looks far higher then in clinic sessions, you will only be paying roughly, an additional, $10 out of pocket then a client who comes to my clinic room.